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Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially lifethreatening prothrombotic complication that affects 0,5−3% of patients exposed to unfractionated heparin (UFH).1,2 HIT occurs due to antibodies produced against platelet factor 4 (PF4)… Click to show full abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially lifethreatening prothrombotic complication that affects 0,5−3% of patients exposed to unfractionated heparin (UFH).1,2 HIT occurs due to antibodies produced against platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin complex. Those antibodies may cause intravascular platelet consumption and increased thrombin generation, resulting in thrombocytopenia and thromboembolic phenomena, which are the main clinical features of HIT.1 Evaluation of suspected HIT involves the application of probability score systems: 4 T score3 or HEP score.4 Patients with intermediate or high HIT probability, should undergo additional laboratory tests. The anti-PF4-heparin enzyme immunoassays are very useful due to their very high negative predictive value. Additionally, functional assays with washed platelets may help in some cases.
Journal Title: Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Year Published: 2020
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