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Heparin has been the sole intravenous anticoagulant in clinical use for many years. Yet 2 to 5% of patients treated with heparin develop an immune reaction that results in a dramatic decrease in platelet count, along with a paradoxical platelet activation and aggregation. This heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can progress to venous and arterial thrombosis and results in amputation or death in 30% of HIT patients. The Hemostasis Research Laboratory is working to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the initiation of the thrombocytopenia response and the subsequent thrombosis. These investigations will lead to the development of diagnostic tools for early detection of HIT and the development of alternatives to heparin therapy.
Research Training Programs
Residents, fellows, medical students, graduate students, and pre-graduate level students are invited to participate in cardiovascular research as it pertains to hemostasis and thrombosis.
Publications
View a partial list of
Dr. Prechel's publications through the National Library of
Medicine's PubMed online database. |
