Challenging diagnosis and treatment of HIT in child with ventricular assistance device

Pediatr Transplant. 2015 Sep;19(6):E152-6. doi: 10.1111/petr.12540. Epub 2015 Jun 18.

Abstract

HIT presents the clinician with unique diagnostic challenges, especially in the pediatric population. The HIT clinical sequelae of thrombocytopenia and thrombosis are secondary to the activation of platelets by heparin-antibody complexes. Diagnosis involves clinical observations and confirmatory laboratory testing using antibody detection and the functional SRA. As we describe in the following case of a six-yr-old female, the SRA may be difficult to interpret in the case of high-titer antibodies and illustrates the need for repeat testing in cases of high clinical suspicion.

Keywords: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; serotonin release assay.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / surgery*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / chemically induced*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia / chemically induced*
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin

Supplementary concepts

  • Familial dilated cardiomyopathy