Rivaroxaban Treatment for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and a Review of the Current Experience

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a life-threatening complication of exposure to heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia results from an autoantibody directed against platelet factor 4 in complex with heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is traditionally treated with bivalirudin, argatroban, danaparoid, or fondaparinux. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants administration to treat heparin-induced thrombocytopenia has been reported. Direct oral anticoagulants do not cause platelet activation in the presence of heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies, nor do they provoke autoantibody production. Direct oral anticoagulants offer advantages such as consistent and predictable anticoagulation, oral administration with good patient compliance, and a good safety profile. We report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with deep venous thrombosis successfully treated with rivaroxaban and review the current experience with rivaroxaban for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.