Evaluation of a flow cytometer-based functional assay using platelet-rich plasma in the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by platelet-activating antibodies that recognize platelet factor 4/heparin (PF4/hep)-complexes. The in vitro demonstration of PF4/hep antibodies using functional assays is essential for an optimal management of patients suspected to have HIT. However, conventional functional assays are technically challenging and limited to specialized laboratories. In contrast, flow cytometers are commonly used in routine laboratories. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance characteristics of a commercially available, flow cytometer based assay in the diagnosis of HIT.
Study Design: Sera of consecutive patients with suspected HIT were investigated using the Emo-test HIT Confirm® assay and compared to the standard method consisting of an IgG-specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for anti-PF4/hep antibodies and the heparin induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) test.
Results: 390 sera were included in the study, 164 sera tested IgG EIA-positive, of which 33 also tested HIPA-positive. No HIPA-positive samples were EIA-negative. In the Emo-test HIT Confirm® assay, 112 sera revealed positive results (%Hepla > 13); however, 51 (45.5%) were EIA-negative. Of the 33 HIPA-positive/EIA-positive HIT sera, 23 tested positive in the Emo-test HIT Confirm® assay, 2 gave ambiguous results, and 8 sera yielded false-negative results. Accordingly, the HIT Confirm® assay showed a sensitivity of 69.7% with a slightly better specificity of 75.4% compared to the EIA (sensitivity 100%, specificity 63.3%). An increase in diagnostic specificity for HIT to 85% was found when positive results were obtained in both the Emo-test HIT Confirm® assay and EIA.
Conclusion: The Emo-Test HIT Confirm® assay may improve the specificity of laboratory investigations of HIT. However, the assay can only be recommended in combination with an immunoassay due to the high rate of false negativity. Our observation indicates a need to establish external quality assessment for functional assays to avoid such clinically relevant pitfalls.
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