Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: , Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]

Definition

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated adverse drug reaction that predisposes to elevated risks of arterial and venous thromboembolism.

• Typical-onset HIT: within 5 to 10 days following the initiation of heparin
• Early-onset HIT: within 24 hours following the initiation of heparin
• Delayed-onset HIT: up to 3 weeks following the cessation of heparin

• HITT: Heparin induced thrombocytponia with thrombosis
• Isolated HIT: Heparin induced thrombocytponia without evidence of thrombosis
• Subacute HIT: Platelet level is back to normal following HIT; however, HIT antibodies are still positive

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

Common Causes

• Heparin

Screening for HIT

❑ Asses the risk of HIT

Patient Population (Minimum of 4-d Exposure) Incidence of HIT, % Postoperative patients Heparin, prophylactic dose 1-5 Heparin, therapeutic dose 1-5 Heparin, flushes 0.1-1 LMWH, prophylactic or therapeutic dose 0.1-1 Cardiac surgery patients 1-3 Medical patients Patients with cancer 1 Heparin, prophylactic or therapeutic dose 0.1-1 LMWH, prophylactic or therapeutic dose 0.6 Intensive care patients 0.4 Heparin, flushes < 0.1 Obstetrics patients <0.1

Risk <1%

Risk >1%

❑ Do not monitor platelet count

❑ Monitor platelet count every 2 or 3 days from day 4 to day 14 (or until heparin is stopped)

Algorithm based on the 2012 ACCP evidence based clinical practice guidelines.

Diagnostic Approach to HIT

Thrombocytopenia ❑ Platelet count <150,000/mm3, OR ❑ >30-50% decrease decrease of platelet from baseline ❑ Recent heparin or LMWH use in the previous 5- 14 days

Characterize the symptoms (if present): ❑ Arterial thromboembolism ❑ Venous thromboembolism ❑ Unusual manifestations: - Skin necrosis at SC heparin injection sites - Transient global amnesia ❑ Absence of petechiae and/or significant bleeding

Consider alternative diagnoses: ❑ Infection ❑ Medications other than heparin ❑ DIC ❑ Hemodilution ❑ Intravascular devices ❑ Extracorporeal circuits

Suspicion of HIT

Low clinical probability

Intermediate/high clinical probability

Unlikely HIT ❑ Consider alternative diagnoses ❑ Continue heparin

❑ Discontinue heparin ❑ Begin alternative anticoagulation

❑ Order anti PF4 antibodies

Moderately/strongly positive test

Weakly positive test PLUS High clinical probability

Weakly positive test PLUS Intermediatre clinical probability

Negative

❑ Order functional assay

Unlikely HIT ❑ Consider alternative diagnoses ❑ Continue heparin

Positive test Likely HIT

Negative test HIT undetermined

The most studied functional assays are serotonin release assay (SRA) and Heparin induced platelet activation assay (HIPA).

The diagnostic algorithm is based on "How I treat heparin-induced thrombocytopenia" from Blood (2012).

Treatment of HIT

High suspicion or confirmed HIT

HIT with thrombosis

Isolated HIT

❑ Perform a lower extremity U/S to R/O asymptomatic DVT

Presence of asymptomatic DVT

No DVT

❑ Discontinue heparin ❑ Initiate non heparin anticoagulation for 3-6 months: - Argatroban (can be used in renal insufficiency) - Lepirudin - Danaparoid

❑ Discontinue heparin ❑ Initiate non heparin anticoagulation until platelets are back to normal: - Argatroban (can be used in renal insufficiency) - Lepirudin - Danaparoid

❑ Check if patient is/needs to be on VKA

❑ Don't start VKA until the platelet count goes back to normal, after which initiate VKA at low doses ❑ When VKA is to be started, overlap it with non heparin anticoagulant for at least 5 days until INR is within the target range ❑ If VKAis started when patient is diagnosed with HIT, administer vitamin K

Special Considerations

Shown below is a table summarizing the appropriate choice of anticoagulation therapy in special situations.

Special situations	Acute HIT or subacute HIT (normal platelets and positive antibodies)	Past medical history of HIT
Cardiac surgery	Urgent cardiac surgery: Use bivalirudin Non urgent cardiac surgery: Delay the surgery until HIT has resolved and antibodies are negative	Negative antibodies: Use heparin (short term) Positive antibodies: Use bivalirudin
PCI	Use bivalirudin or argatraban	Use bivalirudin or argatraban
Renal replacement therapy	Use argatroban or danaparoid	Use regional citrate
Pregnancy	Use danaparoid	-

Do's

• In case of severe thrombocytopenia among patients with HIT, administer platelet transfusions when the patient is bleeding or when performing procedures associated with an elevated risk of bleeding.