A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Tag: Heparin

  • Coronavirus for patients: Plan your blood thinner medication refills

    Beth Waldron, MA writes….For patients on life-saving therapies like blood thinners (anticoagulants) having several weeks supply of medication on hand during the coronavirus outbreak is important not only to reduce the need to be out in public, but to ensure you have everything you need already at home if you do get sick. However, getting…

  • Pregnancy Loss and Clotting Disorders

    How common is pregnancy loss? What are the causes? Pregnancy loss (= miscarriage) in the general population is common. Most losses occur in the first trimester. As many as 5 % of women have 2 or more early losses; 1-2 % have 3 or more early losses [ref 1]. Well established risk factors for pregnancy…

  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the…

  • HIT = Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia

    What Is HIT? Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious side effect that may occur when you are being treated with heparin. It may lead to low blood platelet counts and to life-threatening blood clots.