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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices
Published on: March 21, 2025
[Patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II and implanted left ventricular assist device]
J T Lutz1, H J Exner, A Schannewitzky
1Klinik für Anästhesie, Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, St. Vinzenz-Hospital, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus Universität Köln, Merheimer Strasse 221-223, 50733 Köln, Deutschland. juergen.lutz@vinzenz-hospital.de
Abstract:
The administration of heparin can lead to life-threatening heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II, which is caused by antibodies against heparin-platelet factor 4-complexes. The multimorbid patient presented here suffered from HIT II. Preoperative and postoperative prevention of thrombosis was successfully conducted with argatroban and the management of anticoagulation is presented. During therapy with argatroban, discrepancies in the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and the international normalized ratio (INR) appeared sporadically. The clinical causes for these differences remain unclear.
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