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Published on: October 12, 2012

Diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Grace M Lee1, Gowthami M Arepally

  • 1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.

Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|May 30, 2013
PubMed

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic disorder caused by antibodies to platelet factor 4/heparin (PF4/H) complexes. It presents with declining platelet counts 5 to 14 days after heparin administration and results in a predisposition to arterial and venous thrombosis. Establishing the diagnosis of HIT can be extremely challenging. It is essential to conduct a thorough clinical evaluation in addition to laboratory testing to confirm the presence of PF4/H antibodies. Multiple clinical algorithms have been developed to aid the clinician in predicting the likelihood of HIT. Once HIT is recognized, an alternative anticoagulant should be initiated to prevent further complications.

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