Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a common clinical condition. There are two types of Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: type I and type II. Type I is a self-limiting condition, where platelet counts will return to normal within a few days. Type II is a very critical clinical condition associated with thrombotic events in arterial and venous systems. Though its clinical status raises a high degree of suspicion, definitive diagnosis includes laboratory testing for platelet activation (SRA) and antigen assays (PF4 ELISA). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the biochemical markers for Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, especially for type II.

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