HIT is a complication of heparin use that was first recognized in 1969. When heparin is administered to certain patients, it forms an immune complex with platelet factor 4 (PF-4) released from the alpha granules in platelets. The body's immune system recognizes this complex as a foreign substance and forms an antibody against it. The antibody binds to this complex, and the platelets are destroyed.
Thrombocytopenia occurs in approximately 3% of patients who receive heparin therapy. It usually takes 5–14 days for the platelet count to decrease after beginning heparin therapy. For this reason, patients need to have a baseline platelet count upon initial heparin use and should then be monitored with regular platelet counts for the duration of therapy. HIT has been associated with both unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin treatment.
