Heparin

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An event is serious (based on the ICH definition) when the patient outcome is:

• * death

• * life-threatening

• * hospitalisation

• * disability

• * congenital anomaly

• * other medically important event

In a retrospective study involving 8 patient hospitalised for COVID-19 from 01 March 2020 to 26 June 2020, an 80-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were described, who developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia following treatment with heparin [routes, dosages, time to reactions onset and outcomes not stated].

Patient 1: An 80-year-old woman, who had a history of cancer, was hospitalised with COVID-19 infection. She started receiving heparin. Further investigations revealed an optical density of 1.31 and her platelet count was 40 [units not stated]. She also showed positive IgG-specific platelet factor 4(PF4)-dependent enzyme immune assay (EIA+). Serological findings confirmed a diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and she required ICU admission. She further developed deep vein thrombosis. The woman started receiving treatment with bivalirudin.

Patient 2: A 63-year-old man was hospitalised with COVID-19. He started receiving treatment with unspecified steroids, renal replacement therapy and heparin alongside unspecified low molecular weight heparin. Laboratory investigations revealed platelet count of 67 [units not stated]. He also showed a positive serotonin release assay. Serological examination confirmed the diagnosis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia and he required ICU admission. He further developed pulmonary embolism. The man started receiving treatment with argatroban. Eventually, he died [cause of death not stated].