HIT and 4Ts score

Q: The 4 Ts score in the initial diagnosis of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is found to be better than clinical judgment? (select one)

A) True
B) False


Answer:  B

 It is important to make awareness (again and again) that no score substitute or supersede the clinical judgment in the diagnosis of HIT. 4Ts is found to be a very reliable and a good guide in the presumptive diagnosis of HIT, but clinical judgment still carries the higher weight. This is to note that with any missed diagnosis of HIT, the mortality rose to 20% and with proper diagnosis, the mortality in HIT drops down to 2%. 

 #hematology 


 Reference: 

 Lo GK, Juhl D, Warkentin TE, et al. Evaluation of pretest clinical score (4 T's) for the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in two clinical settings. J Thromb Haemost 2006; 4:759.