Improving specificity in HIT testing

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) affects approximately 5% of patients given unfractionated heparin for 7 days. Although thrombocytopenia itself is rarely serious, a subset of patients experience arterial or venous thrombosis that can be life-threatening. Because continuation of heparin can be catastrophic, early diagnosis of HIT is critical so that heparin can be discontinued and alternative treatment instituted. Algorithms based on the timing and severity of thrombocytopenia, presence or absence of thrombosis, and a lack of other causes for the drop in platelets have been devised to aid clinicians in assessing the likelihood that a particular patient has HIT.