title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic disorder caused by antibodies that recognize complexes of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin. HIT is frequently considered in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia occurring in patients on heparin therapy. HIT is a challenging diagnosis because of routine heparin use in hospitalized patients, the common occurrence of thrombocytopenia, and high rates of anti-PF4/heparin seroconversions in patients treated with heparin. Our diagnostic approach to HIT is presented here, underscoring critical elements of clinical and laboratory evaluation.
authors: 1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors: Grace M
authors: GM
authors: Lee
authors: Gowthami M
authors: GM
authors: Arepally
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000276:immunology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001323:Autoantibodies; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D006493:Heparin