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Heparin Crisis

Meaning

Heparin Crisis is a descriptive, though non-standardized, term used to conceptualize an acute, severe state of systemic hypercoagulability or thrombosis resulting from an adverse or paradoxical reaction to the administration of heparin, a common anticoagulant. The most recognized and clinically significant manifestation is Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), an immune-mediated disorder where antibodies activate platelets, paradoxically leading to widespread clot formation and a drop in platelet count. While primarily a hematological concern, this crisis introduces profound systemic stress and inflammatory perturbation, which secondarily impacts the delicate balance of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Immediate and precise clinical intervention is mandatory to prevent life-threatening complications.