Crit Care Resusc
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Review
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia without thrombosis: an evidence-based review of current literature.
There has been a recent change in the management guidelines for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with the addition of a recommendation to commence parenteral anticoagulation in patients with isolated HIT without evidence of thrombosis. We assessed the evidence supporting this recommendation, to answer the following questions: in a patient with isolated HIT, should alternative anticoagulation be commenced, what alternative agent should be used, what is the recommended duration of anticoagulation, and when should warfarin be used? ⋯ Although patients with isolated HIT are at considerable risk of new thrombosis, there is limited evidence to support or reject the use of non-heparin anticoagulation in this group. Non-randomised, historically controlled trials support the use of lepirudin and argatroban; evidence favouring danaparoid is limited to large case series and one retrospective observational study. Duration of parenteral anticoagulation and warfarin use are guided by consensus opinion alone.
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The use of catecholamines to defend and resuscitate patients with septic shock remains a cornerstone of intensive care medicine. The pharmacological support of the failing circulation during sepsis and septic shock should be directed at augmenting perfusion of vital organs and facilitating venous return, rather than peripheral arterial vasoconstriction. There appears to be a teleological rationale for primary use of catecholamines to augment failing endogenous neurohumoral and neuroendocrine cardiovascular systems. ⋯ Supplemental endocrine replacement therapy with low-dose corticosteroids and vasopressin appears biologically plausible and has an emerging role. Results of large-scale, high-quality trials of endogenous catecholamines for sepsis and septic shock are awaited. These may provide additional, important information for evidence-based guidelines, which currently remain of limited clinical utility.