title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in Chinese patients: 240 patients study in one center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study was conducted in order to analyze the incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome (HITTS) in 240 patients from the Department of Vascular Surgery in China, to evaluate the current laboratory detection technique, and to explore the feasibility for the technique to be developed in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  240 patients receiving unfractionated heparin (UFH) were studied in one center. Before and after the UFH treatment, platelet count, HIT-antibody ELISA test, and heparin-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 240 patients, HIT was diagnosed in 36 cases. The incidence was 15%. HITTS occurred in 6 cases (2.5%). The median time of thrombocytopenia was the 8th day. Platelet counts recovered to normal level in 3 - 6 days after heparin withdrawal
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of HIT is higher; however, the incidence of HITTS is lower. Monitoring platelet count, which is simple and easy to do and available in hospitals at different levels (township hospital included), is a reliable method to diagnose HIT early. The HIT-antibody ELISA test could be introduced in specific hospitals to prescreen HIT. In view of the higher sensitivity and specificity of HIPA, it can be used in larger diagnostic centers in all the big cities of China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China. jinghuawangcn@126.com
authors.forename: Jinghua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiushuai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yanming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Longyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chunying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Xinyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yinglan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yanqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Haibin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015539:Platelet Activation; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin