Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT): ELISA for heparin:PF4 antibodies

Approximately 5% of patients on unfractionated heparin therapy develop type 2 heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Some of the platelet factor 4 (PF4) released from activated platelets binds to the platelet surface, to which heparin will bind. This causes a conformational change in the PF4 and exposes neoepitopes which are immunogenic and can lead to antibody production. The thrombocytopenia arises from removal of antibody-coated platelets from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial system. Bleeding is rarely a problem yet conversely, thrombosis is a recognised complication because antibody binding activates platelets to form platelet aggregates, further reducing the platelet count. Procoagulant microparticles are generated and excess PF4 not bound to heparin instead binds to endothelial heparan sulphate which can lead to further antibody formation and immune complex-mediated endothelial damage, which can progress to thrombosis or DIC. Type 1 HIT is not immune mediated but caused by mild direct platelet activation by heparin and is ostensibly benign. HIT can occur in LMWH therapy but is less common.

HIT is largely a clinical diagnosis but laboratory assays are valuable for confirmation or exclusion. Immunological assays detect the antibodies directly whilst functional platelet activation assays demonstrate the effect of patient antibodies on donor platelets. Functional assays tend to have a lower sensitivity for HIT antibodies than immunological assays but a higher probability of identifying clinically significant antibodies.