Thrombocytopenia Occurring during Heparin Therapy

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Abstract
Thrombocytopenia has recently been observed in a surprising number of patients during treatment with heparin. A report of five cases appears in this issue of the Journal. Discovered in 1915, heparin has been extensively used in clinical medicine since the mid-1930's. Apart from hemorrhagic complications attributable to the induced coagulation defect, untoward reactions have been infrequent. Rarely, patients with a past history of allergic disease have had immediate hypersensitivity reactions manifested by urticaria, rhinitis, asthma, fever, cyanosis, diaphoresis and hypotension. In some cases these reactions could be averted by use of heparin from another animal source. Severe thrombocytopenia occurring . . .