Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication of heparin treatment. It is caused by IgG class antibodies directed against the platelet factor 4 (PF4) /heparin complex with subsequent strong platelet activation.
Despite anticoagulant therapy and thrombocytopenia, there is a high risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. Dia-gnosis of HIT requires both evidence of clinical symptoms and laboratory confirmation of pathogenic antibodies.
We divide laboratory tests for the dia-gnosis of HIT into two groups, immunological and functional. Immunological (antigenic) tests are used to detect antibodies directed against the PF4/heparin complex.
Functional assays are based on the ability of antibodies to activate donor platelets in the presence of heparin. The aim of this article is to present a brief overview of laboratory tests for the dia-gnosis of HIT available in the Czech Republic.