Evaluation of the use of direct oral anticoagulants for the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Historically, treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) includes a non-heparin parenteral anticoagulant with bridging to warfarin once platelets recover. Data supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for HIT treatment are limited. Given the paucity of evidence for the use of DOACs in HIT, the aim of this study is to describe the prescribing patterns of DOACs for HIT at our institution. This is a single center, retrospective chart evaluation of patients admitted from January 2017 to October 2020 with a confirmed diagnosis of HIT. Twenty-six patients were identified; 21 patients (81%) received initial parenteral treatment and 5 patients (19.2%) with initial DOAC treatment. The most frequently used DOAC was apixaban at the VTE treatment dose [15 (57.7%)] followed by the reduced dose of apixaban [5 (19.2%)]. Of the patients initially treated with a parenteral agent, 11 (42.3%) were transitioned to a DOAC after platelet recovery, 7 (26.9%) transitioned as platelets were steadily increasing, and 3 (11.5%) transitioned at the time of discharge (prior to platelet recovery). Platelet recovery was achieved in 23 patients (88.5%) at a median of 5 days (IQR 2.8-8.3) after HIT diagnosis. No new thrombotic or bleeding events occurred within 30 days of HIT diagnosis. In our patients treated with a DOAC for HIT, no progression of HIT was observed. Apixaban was the most frequently utilized DOAC. Most patients received a parenteral anticoagulant prior to DOAC initiation. All patients managed with a DOAC as initial treatment achieved platelet recovery within 30 days of HIT diagnosis.

Automated summary

Historically, HIT has been treated with non-heparin parenteral anticoagulants followed by warfarin once platelets recover. Limited data supports the use of DOACs for HIT treatment. This study described DOAC prescribing patterns for HIT, showing that most patients transitioned to DOACs after platelet recovery, with no progression of HIT observed. Apixaban was the most frequently utilized DOAC in this cohort.