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Schindewolf M, Steindl J, Beyer-Westendorf J, Schellong S, Dohmen PM, Brachmann J, Madlener K, Pötzsch B, Klamroth R, Hankowitz J, Banik N, Eberle S, Kropff S, Müller MM, Lindhoff-Last E. Frequent off-label use of fondaparinux in patients with suspected acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)--findings from the GerHIT multi-centre registry study. Thromb Res 2014; 134:29-35. [PMID: 24703295 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2014.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In life-threatening immune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), treatment with an approved non-heparin anticoagulant is essential. However, off-label use with fondaparinux has been reported in the literature. The study aim was to collect data on "real-life" management of patients with suspected acute HIT regarding diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a national multi-centre registry study, patients with a 4T's HIT-probability score of ≥ 4 points and treatment with at least one dose of (A)rgatroban, (L)epirudin, (D)anaparoid, or (F)ondaparinux were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Of 195 patients, the 4T's scores were 4/5/6/7/8 points in 46 (23.6%)/50 (25.6%)/74 (38.0%)/13 (6.7%)/7 (3.6%) patients, respectively. During heparin therapy, 47 (24.1%) thromboembolic events, 5 (2.6%) skin lesions, 1 (0.5%) amputation, 24 (12.3%) Hb-relevant bleedings, and 2 (1.0%) fatalities occurred. A functional heparin-induced platelet activation assay was performed in 96.9%, a platelet factor 4/heparin-dependent enzyme immunoassay in 89.2%, a particle gel immunoassay in 12.3%, and a serotonin-release assay in none of the patients. Argatroban was used in 16.4%, lepirudin in 2.1%, danaparoid in 23.6%, fondaparinux in 40.0% of the patients; the sequential therapy strata were: AF (5.6%), DA (5.6%), DF (2.6%), DL (2.1%), ADF (1.5%), and DFL (0.5%). CONCLUSIONS The current diagnostic laboratory strategy for suspected HIT is mostly (>96%) based on the recommended 2-step strategy (immunoassay plus functional assay). However, there is a wide fondaparinux off-label use (up to 50.3%) for suspected HIT, even in those patients with a high clinical pretest probability. Efficacy and safety of fondaparinux for HIT-treatment require further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Schindewolf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Vascular Medicine/Haemostaseology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
| | - Julia Steindl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Vascular Medicine/Haemostaseology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt/M., Germany
| | - Jan Beyer-Westendorf
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Angiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schellong
- Medical Department II, Municipal Hospital Dresden Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pascal Maria Dohmen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité Hospital, Medical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Brachmann
- II. Medical Clinic, Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Coburg, Coburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Madlener
- Department of Haemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, Kerckhoff-Klinik, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Bernd Pötzsch
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Klamroth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Haemophilia Treatment Centre, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Banik
- GlaxoSmithKline, Biostatistics & Epidemiology, München, Germany
| | - Sonja Eberle
- GlaxoSmithKline, Biostatistics & Epidemiology, München, Germany
| | - Stefan Kropff
- GlaxoSmithKline, Cardiovascular and Antithrombotics, München, Germany
| | | | - Edelgard Lindhoff-Last
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Vascular Medicine/Haemostaseology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt/M., Germany
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