Real-life evaluation of an automated immunoassay for diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by IgG antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin (H) complexes. Typical clinical features include a fall in platelet count by more than 50% and/or new thromboembolic complications occurring between days 5 and 10 after exposure to unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular heparin (LMWH). Two different types of laboratory assays are available; immunoassays, which detect anti-PF4/H antibodies; and functional assays, which identify the subgroup of platelet-activating, and thereby potentially pathogenic, heparin-dependent antibodies [1].
Source: Thrombosis Research - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editors-in-Chief Source Type: research