The Use of Heparin in Autoimmune Hemolytic Disease

Seven patients with various forms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia were treated with parenteral heparin. A therapeutic failure resulted in all instances. Heparin therapy did not induce a clinical response or reduce the magnitude of hemolysis. There was no demonstrable in vivo or in vitro effect of this drug on direct and indirect antiglobulin and bromelin tests. Serum complement levels and the degree of erythrocyte mobility were unaffected by heparin during the therapeutic trial.