Heparin Antibodies Pose Heart Surgery Risk

A Wisconsin study finds the presence of heparin antibodies poses a risk for potential serious complications after heart surgery.

The research conducted at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee was presented Tuesday during the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Montréal, Canada.

Importantly, patients who did not develop the life-threatening drug reaction called Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia also are at a higher risk of postoperative complications.

The researchers demonstrated patients who test positive for heparin/platelet factor 4 antibodies are at higher risk for a number of postoperative complications, including renal failure requiring dialysis, prolonged mechanical ventilation, gastrointestinal complications and acute limb ischemia.

The clinical risk associated with HPF4 antibodies in patients who don’t have HIT syndrome is poorly understood in clinical practice said Dr. David Kress, the lead investigator and senior cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Luke’s. This study suggests that just having HPF4 antibodies, even without HIT or thrombocytopenia, confer a risk of adverse outcomes.

The findings suggest optimal preoperative care for cardiac surgery patients should include screening for HPF4 antibody status.