PF4/heparin antibody testing and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) may be challenging in critically ill patients, as heparin exposures are ubiquitous, and thrombocytopenia is common. Unwarranted ordering and incorrect interpretation of heparin antibody tests can expose a patient to adverse drug events and imposes a significant economic burden on our health care system. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed over 4 months on all adult patients located in 5 intensive care units, with a heparin antibody test ordered. RESULTS: A platelet factor 4/heparin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was ordered in 131 patients. In total, 110 patients had a low 4Ts score (0-3), and of these 103 had a negative ELISA result. In patients with a low 4Ts score, 0 (0%) of 110 had an optical density value >1.0. One hundred twenty-nine patients (98%) had another possible cause of thrombocytopenia identified. CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients, low 4Ts scores indicate a low probability of HIT, and heparin antibody testing in these patients is not useful.

publication date

  • March 2, 2012

Research

keywords

  • Antibodies
  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin
  • Platelet Factor 4
  • Thrombocytopenia

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84878887418

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/1076029612438709

PubMed ID

  • 22387583

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 19

issue

  • 3