PREVALENCE OF HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA AFTER ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME TREATED WITH LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HEPARIN VERSUS UNFRACTIONED HEPARIN

Objective: To compare the frequency of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with un-fractioned heparin versus low molecular weight heparin use after acute coronary Syndrome. Study design: A Case control study. Place and duration of the study: Department of Cardiology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from June, 2016 to June, 2017 for one year duration. Methodology: All patients were given low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or non-fractionated heparin (UFH), which presented with acute coronary syndrome were selected. We recorded data on gender, age, history of exposure to UFH, diagnosis, the time of onset of thrombocytopenia and the type of heparin administered. The platelet counts of all these patients were checked every 24 hours. Clinical scoring was performed for the possibility of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. By using SPSS version 10.0, the data were analyzed. Results: The frequency of heparin-induced general thrombocytopenia was 2.7%. In the two patient groups exposed to LMWH and UFH, there was a vast variation in the frequency of HIT. Conclusion: The risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is lower with the use of un-divided heparin.