Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia differential diagnosis


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is diagnosed when the platelet count falls by > 50% typically after 5-10 days of heparin therapy. It should be differentiated by other causes of thrombocytopenia like hemolytic uremic syndrome, Thrombotic thrombocytopenia and others.

Differential diagnosis
Diagnosis of Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is mainly done with the help of lab tests. A decrease in platelet count by > 50% typically after 5-10 days of heparin therapy leads to a diagnosis of HIT. Thus, it should be differentiated from other causes of thrombocytopenia like


 * Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
 * Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
 * Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
 * Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
 * Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia
 * Posttransfusion Thrombocytopenia
 * Systemic Lupus Erythematosus