Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia history and symptoms
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
overview
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is diagnosed when the platelet count falls by > 50% typically after 5-10 days of heparin therapy. Unlike other immune mediated thrombocytopenia, the levels of platelet stays >20,000 thus frank bleeding is less common in HIT.
History
- 5-10 days of initiation of heparin therapy. Onset of HIT after 2 weeks is uncommon. Earlier onset of HIT is usually seen in patients who have been previously treated with heparin (1-3 months back) and have circulating HIT antibodies in them.
- Delayed onset HIT is uncommon.