Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis in COVID-19 adult respiratory distress syndrome
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-21-2020
Institution/Department
Pulmonology
Journal Title
Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis
Abstract
Early reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical features describe a hypercoagulable state, and recent guidelines recommend prophylactic anticoagulation for patients with COVID-19 with low-molecular-weight heparin, but this would be contraindicated in the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We address the key clinical question whether HIT is also present during COVID-19. We report 3 cases of thrombocytopenia with antiplatelet factor 4 antibodies among 16 intubated patients with COVID-19 with adult respiratory distress syndrome, a higher-than-expected incidence of 19%. Each patient had evidence of thrombosis (pulmonary embolism, upper extremity venous thromboses, and skin necrosis, respectively). The serotonin release assay confirmed HIT in 1 case, and 2 cases were negative. We believe this is the first reported case of HIT during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognition that the thrombocytopenia represented HIT in the confirmed case was delayed. We recommend clinicians monitor platelet counts closely during heparin therapy, with a low threshold to evaluate for HIT.
First Page
936
Last Page
941
Recommended Citation
Riker RR, May TL, Fraser GL, et al. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis in COVID-19 adult respiratory distress syndrome. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2020;4(5):936-941. Published 2020 Jun 21. doi:10.1002/rth2.12390