Evaluation of STic Expert® HIT Kit and Its Comparison with ID-PaGIA™ Test in Suspected Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an adverse drug reaction caused by heparin. HIT occurs due to IgG antibodies directed against heparin-bound platelet factor 4 (PF4). The aim of this study was to evaluate the STic(®) Expert HIT for detection of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies in comparison with ID-PaGIA™ kit. The results were further confirmed by Heparin-induced platelet aggregation test (HIPA). A total of 17 patients with a suspected diagnosis of HIT were enrolled. The 4 T scoring of each case was performed. Testing for HIT was carried out by ID-PaGIA™, STic(®) Expert HIT, and HIPA. Testing by STic(®) Expert HIT test demonstrated positivity in three cases while testing by ID-PaGIA™ test kit revealed four positive cases. Two of these cases were confirmed as HIT by HIPA. The study suggests that STic(®) Expert HIT an equally effective test, in combination with the 4T scoring system for detecting/excluding the diagnosis of HIT. A large number of cases are needed for validation.