Whole Blood Procoagulant Platelet Flow Cytometry Protocol for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) Testing

Christine S.M. Lee, Matthew C. Powell, Vivien M. Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a well-characterized, iatrogenic complication of heparin anticoagulation with significant morbidity. In contrast, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a recently recognized severe prothrombotic complication of adenoviral vaccines, including the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca) and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen, Johnson & Johnson) vaccines against COVID-19. The diagnosis of HIT and VITT involve laboratory testing for antiplatelet antibodies by immunoassays followed by confirmation by functional assays to detect platelet-activating antibodies. Functional assays are critical to detect pathological antibodies due to the varying sensitivity and specificity of immunoassays. This chapter presents a protocol for a novel whole blood flow cytometry-based assay to detect procoagulant platelets in healthy donor blood in response to plasma from patients suspected of HIT or VITT. A method to identify suitable healthy donors for HIT and VITT testing is also described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHemostasis and Thrombosis
Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
EditorsEmmanuel J. Favaloro, Robert C. Gosselin
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages441-461
Number of pages21
Edition2
ISBN (Print)978-1-0716-3174-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume2663
ISSN (Print)1064-3745
ISSN (Electronic)1940-6029

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