A postop heart transplant patient has been given unfractionated heparin.Five days postop, he develops petechiae, and needs multiple dressing changes over his wound site.What tests should be used to assess the patient's clinical status?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The development of petechiae in a postop heart transplant patient who has received heparin is suggestive of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Therefore, platelet count and HIT antibody assay should be performed to assess the patient's clinical status. APTT and PT are generally used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of unfractionated heparin, but they are not specific for HIT. PT and FDP are not relevant in this case, as they do not provide information about platelet function or the presence of HIT. D-dimer and fibrinogen levels may be elevated in patients with HIT, but they are not specific or sensitive enough to diagnose or monitor the condition.

A Postop Heart Transplant Patient Has Been Given Unfractionated Heparin