A positive in vitro assay is required to diagnose heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Kottke-Marchant, Kandace; Bontempo, Franklin A · Med Clin North Am · 2003

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman is admitted for coronary artery bypass graft. She has had a recent coronary angiogram (with heparin exposure), which revealed high-grade stenoses of the left anterior descending coronary artery, right coronary artery, and left circumflex artery. The preoperative platelet count is 300,000/microL. Heparin is administered during cardiopulmonary bypass. The platelet count on postoperative day 1 is 160,000/microL and on postoperative day 6 is 60,000/microL. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is suspected and HIT assays are ordered.

Medical subject headings