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-heparin: PF-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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 290-295 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Cytometry |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 15 2001 |
Keywords
- Annexin V
- CD62p
- Flow cytometry
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Platelet activation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Biophysics
- Endocrinology