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Hematology journal lauds HIT testing research

March 9, 2021

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a blood disorder that can be life-threatening. To maximize the likelihood of recovery, early and accurate diagnosis is critical. A false positive test for HIT, or a delay in excluding HIT, needlessly subjects a patient to considerable risks associated with treatment with a heparin alternative. A false negative HIT test can lead to catastrophic thrombosis or death.

Recently, a study that involved several Mayo Clinic investigators examined new approaches to the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and that study has been met with enthusiasm in the scientific community. In February, a paper detailing the research, titled "A prospective, blinded study of a PF4-dependent assay for HIT diagnosis," was published in The American Society of Hematology's journal, Blood, and featured on the journal's front cover. The study also was the subject of an expert commentary article in the same issue, titled "Can HIT testing lose its radioactivity?", and it was featured in a recent episode of the journal's podcast (Season 2, Episode 8).

Mayo Clinic staff involved in the study included:

  • Dong Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Hematopathology
  • Diane Grill, Biomedical Statistics and Informatics
  • Rachel Leger, Special Coagulation Laboratory
  • Anand Padmanabhan, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Hematopathology
  • Rajiv Pruthi, M.B.B.S., Hematology

Tracy Will

Tracy Will is a senior marketing specialist at Mayo Clinic Laboratories where she covers innovation, specialty testing, and advances in laboratory medicine. Tracy has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2016.