A positive in vitro assay is required to diagnose heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Abstract
A 57-YEAR-OLD WOMAN is admitted for coronary artery bypass graft. She has had a recent coronary angiogram (with heparin exposure), which revealed high-grade stenoses of the left anterior descending coronary artery, right coronary artery, and left circumflex artery. The preoperative platelet count is 300,000/μL. Heparin is administered during cardiopulmonary bypass. The platelet count on postoperative day 1 is 160,000/μL and on postoperative day 6 is 60,000/μL. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is suspected and HIT assays are ordered.
aSection of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Clinical Pathology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, L30, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
bDivision of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
cCoagulation Laboratory, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, 3636 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
ABSTRACT