Comparison between different laboratory tests for the detection and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Cytometry
; 46(5): 290-5, 2001 Oct 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11746104
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a possible complication of heparin therapy that can evolve with life-threatening thromboembolism, for which early diagnosis is essential. However, the specific laboratory approach to the diagnosis of HIT is still controversial.METHODS:
Sera from 13 patients with HIT, from 15 patients with non-HIT thrombocytopenia, and from 10 normal subjects were used to compare nonfunctional and functional methods to detect anti-heparinPF-4 antibodies and platelet activation. We used three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and the particle gel immunoassay as nonfunctional tests, and platelet aggregometry, CD62p (p-selectin) phenotypical expression, and Annexin V binding as functional assays.RESULTS:
CD62p expression was positive in 85% of the cases and Annexin V was positive in 40% of the HIT cases examined. Aggregometry gave variable results that depend strongly on the donor.CONCLUSION:
Functional tests for platelet activation are more reliable for HIT diagnosis than the nonfunctional tests. We conclude that the phenotypical expression of p-selectin detected by flow cytometry on activated platelets appears to be a good functional marker for the diagnosis of HIT and its possible thromboembolic complications.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Thrombocytopenia
/
Heparin
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Cytometry
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: