Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- history of recent heparin exposure
- history of HIT
- absence of conditions and medications that cause thrombocytopenia
- history of recent surgery or trauma
- features consistent with recent venous or arterial thromboembolic event (e.g., PE, DVT, stroke, MI)
- necrosis at heparin injection site(s)
Other diagnostic factors
- absence of bleeding
- signs of adrenal hemorrhagic necrosis
- acute systemic reaction
- signs of venous limb gangrene
Risk factors
- recent heparin exposure (within past 100 days)
- recent orthopedic or cardiovascular surgery
- female sex
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- CBC
Tests to consider
- 4Ts score
- HIT antigen assay
- HIT functional assay
- coagulation studies
- venous Doppler ultrasound
- computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA)
- ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
- cerebral computed tomography venogram
- magnetic resonance venography (head)
Treatment algorithm
suspected HIT with 4Ts score ≥4, or confirmed acute HIT
suspected HIT with 4Ts score ≤3
platelet recovery (subacute HIT A)
remote HIT
Contributors
Authors
Lori-Ann Linkins, MD, MSc(Clin Epi), FRCPC
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
McMaster University
Thrombosis Consultant
Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre
Hamilton
Ontario
Canada
Disclosures
LL is an author of several references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Jeffrey S. Wasser, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Acting Associate Chair of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Farmington
CT
Disclosures
JSW declares that he has no competing interests.
Henry Watson, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Consultant Haematologist
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Foresterhill Health Campus
Aberdeen
UK
Disclosures
HW declares that he has no competing interests.
Simon Davidson, MPhil
Clinical Scientist
Royal Brompton Hospital
Honorary Clinical Lecturer
Imperial College London
London
UK
Disclosures
SD is a consultant for Mitsubishi Pharma, the manufacturer of argatroban.
Differentials
- Postoperative state
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Drug-induced thrombocytopenic purpura
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Treatment and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
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