Thrombocytopenia found uncommonly during heparin therapy

Abstract

In a study to determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with i.v. heparin sodium of porcine gut origin, only 4 of 120 patients with suspected venous thromboembolism showed a depression of the platelet count to below 150 .times. 109/l. In 2 patients heparin was not considered the cause of thrombocytopenia because the platelet count, which fell transiently, rose again while heparin therapy was continued. Apparently thrombocytopenia is an uncommon complication of anticoagulant therapy with heparin derived from porcine gut mucosa.