Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia in end‐stage renal disease: Reliability of the PF4‐heparin ELISA

Abstract

Abstract Background Diagnosing heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) can be difficult, as they are frequently exposed to heparin and have multiple etiologies for thrombocytopenia. Objective To correlate 4T scores, IgG heparin–platelet factor 4 (PF4‐heparin) ELISA results, and serotonin release assay (SRA) results in patients with ESRD. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with ESRD (creatinine clearance 0.4 but negative SRA, who were not treated for HIT, there were no adverse outcomes documented such as new or progressive thrombosis. Conclusion In our ESRD population, 4T scores and PF4 testing were not predictive of a clinical diagnosis of HIT.

Keywords

• end‐stage renal disease
• heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia
• platelet factor 4
• thrombosis