Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT): Practical Aspects of Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication following heparin exposure. The webinar presentation will discuss the pathogenesis, incidence, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, as well as management of HIT.

The first step in thwarting devastating complications is to maintain a high index of clinical suspicion by an accurate clinical scoring assessment using the 4T’s (thrombocytopenia, timing of platelet count fall, thrombosis or other sequelae, and no apparent other causes for thrombocytopenia). Next, appropriate stepwise laboratory testing must be performed in order to rule out HIT or establish the diagnosis. In the interim, all heparin must be stopped immediately, and patient should be offered alternative anticoagulation.

This webinar will focus on the practical aspects of clinical and laboratory diagnosis of HIT.