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 |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 290-295 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Cytometry |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 15 2001 |
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Keywords
- Annexin V
- CD62p
- Flow cytometry
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Platelet activation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Biophysics
- Endocrinology
Cite this
Comparison between different laboratory tests for the detection and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. / Vitale, M.; Tazzari, P.; Ricci, F.; Mazza, M. A.; Zauli, G.; Martini, G.; Caimi, L.; Manzoli, F. A.; Conte, R.
In: Cytometry, Vol. 46, No. 5, 15.10.2001, p. 290-295.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison between different laboratory tests for the detection and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
AU - Vitale, M.
AU - Tazzari, P.
AU - Ricci, F.
AU - Mazza, M. A.
AU - Zauli, G.
AU - Martini, G.
AU - Caimi, L.
AU - Manzoli, F. A.
AU - Conte, R.
PY - 2001/10/15
Y1 - 2001/10/15
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Annexin V
KW - CD62p
KW - Flow cytometry
KW - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
KW - Platelet activation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035888583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035888583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/cyto.1170
DO - 10.1002/cyto.1170
M3 - Article
VL - 46
SP - 290
EP - 295
JO - Cytometry Part B - Clinical Cytometry
JF - Cytometry Part B - Clinical Cytometry
SN - 1552-4949
IS - 5
ER -