Diagnostic score for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after cardiopulmonary bypass

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs in nearly 3% of patients treated with heparin after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). HIT carries a risk of severe thrombotic complications, and must be diagnosed rapidly. To identify simple criteria for estimating the probability of HIT after CPB, we retrospectively analyzed the files of 84 patients with suspected HIT after CPB and we analyzed the usefulness of several variables collected at the time of HIT suspicion to estimate HIT probability. HIT was confirmed in 35 cases and ruled out in 49 cases, on the basis of a platelet increment after heparin withdrawal, detection of heparin-dependent antibodies, and absence of other clear cause of thrombocytopenia. A biphasic platelet count from CPB to the first day of suspected HIT, an interval of greater than or equal to 5 days from CPB to the first day of suspected HIT, and a CPB duration of less than or equal to 118 min were independent risk factors for HIT. These variables were combined to create a post-CPB HIT probability score. The score correctly identified 34/35 HIT patients and 28/49-non-HIT patients. This score, which can be applied as soon as HIT is suspected after CPB, has very good negative predictive value (97%). Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.