Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Questions & Answers

Updated: Jul 19, 2023
  • Author: Sancar Eke, MD, FASN; Chief Editor: Srikanth Nagalla, MD, MS, FACP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

How is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) diagnosed?

What is the pathophysiology of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What causes heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the risk factors for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the prevalence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in the US?

What is the mortality and morbidity of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the racial predilections of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

How does the prevalence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) vary by sex?

What is the prognosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the possible complications of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Presentation

Which factors increase the risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Which clinical history is characteristic of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the acute signs and symptoms of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

DDX

What the possible consequences of a missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the 4Ts pretest score for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and how is it calculated?

What is the predictive accuracy of the 4Ts core for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Which other conditions may be considered in the differential diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Which medications may cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia?

Workup

Which features differentiate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) from other causes of thrombocytopenia?

What is the role of platelet measurement in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the role of immunoassays in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the efficacy of immunoassays for the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the role of functional assays in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is a heparin-induced platelet aggregation assay (HIPAA), and what is its role in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the benefit of sequential images in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What are the findings on ventilation perfusion scan indicative of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the role of helical computed tomography scan in the workup of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Treatment

What is the initial treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is microthrombosis and how is it managed in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is the role of platelet transfusion in the management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Which medications are used for prophylaxis and treatment of thrombosis in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

What is included in the long-term monitoring of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?

Medications

What are the ASH guidelines on discontinuing heparin and starting a non-heparin anticoagulant in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?

Which medications in the drug class Anticoagulants, Hematologic are used in the treatment of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia?