Study of Platelet and Leukocyte Aggregates in Adults Suspected of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Using Blood Samples

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying adults suspected of having heparin-induced thrombocytopenia HIT, a serious condition where platelet counts drop rapidly after heparin treatment. The study aims to analyze and measure platelet and leukocyte aggregates directly in whole blood to better understand the conditions biology. This approach could replace current tests that require platelet donors and radioisotopes, which are complex and slow, impacting timely treatment decisions. Participants will have blood samples collected at several points at the time of suspected HIT day 0 before changing treatment, then again on days 4, 7, and 14 if they test positive for specific antibodies. All patients will follow standard diagnostic procedures including immunological screening and confirmatory platelet aggregation tests. Doppler ultrasound of the lower limbs will be done for those with positive antibody tests to check for blood clots. During the study, patients will provide multiple blood samples to assess platelet cluster percentages and other markers. Researchers will monitor antibody presence and carry out routine clinical evaluations. The main outcome measure is the percentage of specific platelet clusters on day 1. The entire process is designed to improve diagnosis speed and accuracy for HIT while participants receive their usual medical care throughout the study period.

Characterization and Quantification of Platelet/Leukocyte Aggregates in Patients With Suspected Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia