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Over-testing for heparin induced thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients

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Abstract

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a pro-thrombotic and potentially fatal complication of heparin therapy. Its diagnosis rests on high clinical probability and the laboratory demonstration of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. The high prevalence of thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients and the high sensitivity but low specificity of immunoassays for HIT antibodies can lead to over-testing and over-diagnosis. We conducted a study to review HIT screening practices in a tertiary care setting. We reviewed 63 consecutive patients undergoing testing for anti-PF4/heparin antibodies over 3 months. Pre-test probability for HIT was calculated using the 4T score. Sixty three patients underwent testing for anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Twenty one had been admitted for cardiovascular surgery, 5 for other surgery and 35 for non-surgical indications. Twenty nine patients (46 %) had low pre- test probability, twenty three (36.5 %) had intermediate probability, and eleven (17.4 %) had high pre-test probability of having HIT. Anti-PF4/heparin ELISA was positive in 8 of 63 patients. SRA was ordered for 16 patients and was positive in 5. Only five patients were diagnosed and treated for HIT. Over-testing for HIT is highly prevalent in a tertiary care setting. This increases cost and exposes patients to expensive anti-coagulation with its attendant risk of hemorrhage. The 4Ts score has been shown to have high sensitivity and may be used to rule out HIT in most situations, although its utility depends on subjective analysis. Consistently applying this in practice could minimize over-testing and facilitate safer, cost-effective care.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, NA10, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Shruti Chaturvedi & Ruhail Kohli

  2. Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Keith McCrae

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  1. Shruti Chaturvedi
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  2. Ruhail Kohli
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  3. Keith McCrae
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Correspondence to Shruti Chaturvedi.

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Chaturvedi, S., Kohli, R. & McCrae, K. Over-testing for heparin induced thrombocytopenia in hospitalized patients. J Thromb Thrombolysis 40, 12–16 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-014-1123-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-014-1123-0

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