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High-Dose Intravenous γ-Globulins for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Prompt Response

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Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a common drug induced autoimmune condition. The thrombocytopenia is caused in most cases by an antibody directed against the complex PF4/heparin. Recently, we have induced an experimental model of HIT by idiotypic manipulation. To confirm further the idiotypic involvement of HIT, we have treated successfully three patients with HIT with high-dose intravenous γ-globulin (IVIG). Our three patients join other two cases previously reported who were treated with IVIG and point to the efficacy of this type of therapy with minimal side effects. IVIG suppression of the anti-PF4/heparin autoantibody may support the idiotypic etiology of HIT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hematology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    A. Winder & A. Eldor

  2. Department of Medicine ‘B,’ Research Unit of Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

    Y. Shoenfeld & Y. Levy

  3. Department of Medicine, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    R. Hochman

  4. Department of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    G. Keren

Authors
  1. A. Winder
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  2. Y. Shoenfeld
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  3. R. Hochman
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  4. G. Keren
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  5. Y. Levy
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  6. A. Eldor
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Winder, A., Shoenfeld, Y., Hochman, R. et al. High-Dose Intravenous γ-Globulins for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Prompt Response. J Clin Immunol 18, 330–334 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023238915316

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023238915316

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