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HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Likelihood of HIT.

id

1789

full_title

HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

short_title

HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score

med_description

Pre-test clinical scoring model for HIT based on broad expert opinion.

description

The HIT Expert Probability Score (HEP) is a clinical scoring system to stratify the pre-test probability of suspected HIT cases.

keywords

hit probability score, heparin probability, prognosis heparin, prognosis heparin calc, HIT HEP, HEP score, heparin score, expert hep score, hep thrombocytopenia score

complaint

[ "Bleeding" ]

formula

Addition of the selected points, see below:

evidence

In 50 suspected HIT patients, a literature review and expert-derived criteria of eight clinical features potentially important in the diagnosis of HIT were retrospectively applied in order to derive a HIT Expert Probability score for each patient. This score was then compared to a diagnosis of HIT by an expert panel of HIT experts. Using a cut-off of 2, the HEP score was 100% sensitive and 60% specific for the diagnosis of HIT. A cut-off of 5 yielded a sensitivity/specificity of 86%/88%, though its utility as a clinical decision tool is lessened with this cut-off. Both the HEP score and the 4Ts for HIT score had 100% sensitivity, but the HEP score had a higher specificity (60% vs 44%). A subsequent small validation study involving 47 patients with suspect HIT using a HEP score cut-off of 2 had a sensitivity of just 70% with a specificity of 51.4% and accuracy of 55.3%. A HEP score cut-off of -3 would be needed to yield a sensitivity of 100% as in the derivation study, but would also cause a fall in specificity to 2.7%.

measurements

[]

information

Criteria Value Points
Magnitude of fall in platelet count (peak platelet count to nadir since heparin) a) <30% -1
b) 30-50% +1
c) >50% +3
Timing of fall in platelet count
For patients in whom typical onset HIT is suspected
a) Fall begins <4 days after heparin exposure -2
b) Fall begins 4 days after heparin exposure +2
c) Fall begins 5-10 days after heparin exposure +3
d) Fall begins 11-14 days after heparin exposure +2
e) Fall begins >14 days after heparin exposure -1
For patients with prior heparin exposure (last 100 days)
(rapid onset HIT is suspected)
a) Fall begins <4 days after heparin exposure -2
f) Fall begins <48 hours after heparin re-exposure +2
g) Fall begins >48 hours after heparin re-exposure -1
Nadir platelet count a) ≤20 x 109/L -2
b) >20 x 109/L +2
Thrombosis For patients in whom typical onset HIT is suspected a) New VTE or ATE ≥4 days after heparin exposure 3
b) Progression of pre-existing VTE or ATE while receiving heparin 2
Thrombosis for patients with prior heparin exposure (last 100 days) and rapid onset HIT is suspected New VTE or ATE after heparin exposure +3
Progression of pre-existing VTE or ATE while receiving heparin +2
a) Skin necrosis at subcutaneous heparin injection sites +3
b) Acute systemic reaction after intravenous heparin bolus +2
c) Severe DIC (fibrinogen <100 mg/dL and D-dimer >5.0 ug/mL -2
d) Indwelling intra-arterial device (e.g. IABP, VAD, ECMO) -2
e) Cardiopulmonary bypass within previous 96 h -1
f) No other apparent cause +3

refrences

{ "Clinical Practice Guidelines": [], "Manufacturer Website": [], "Original/Primary Reference": [ { "href": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20854372", "text": "Cuker A, Arepally G, Crowther MA, Rice L, Datko F, Hook K, Propert KJ, Kuter DJ, Ortel TL, Konkle BA, Cines DB. The HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score: a novel pre-test probability model for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia based on broad expert opinion. J Thromb Haemost 2010; 8: 2642–50." } ], "Other References": [], "Outcomes": [], "Validation": [ { "href": "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260794720_External_Validation_Of_The_HIT_Expert_Probability_(HEP)_Score_a_Novel_Pre-Test_Probability_Model_For_Heparin-Induced_Thrombocytopenia_Based_On_Broad_Expert_Opinion", "text": "Lee Joseph, Gomes MPV, Al Solaiman F, St John J, Ozaki A, Raju M, Dhariwal M, Kim ESH. External Validation Of The HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score, a Novel Pre-Test Probability Model For Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Based On Broad Expert Opinion. Blood (Impact Factor: 9.06). 12/2013; 122(21):1699." } ], "Validations": [] }

pearls

The HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score is a tool developed based on broad expert opinion to help clinicians rule out HIT.

  • Eight clinical features potentially important in the diagnosis of HIT identified via literature review were incorporated into a questionnaire and distributed to independent HIT experts that regularly diagnose and treat HIT.
  • Clinicians then weighed each feature on a scale of -3 to 3 with more positive numbers arguing in favor of HIT.
  • Median weights were then incorporated into a pre-test probability model, the HEP score.
  • Score was then prospectively applied to fifty consecutive patients referred to a single reference laboratory for HIT testing.
  • HIT was diagnosed by consensus of three independent HIT expert adjudicators reviewing the clinical information and lab results including polyspecific HIT antibody ELISA and in-house SRA.
  • Study found that a HEP score cut off of 2 would lead to 100% sensitivity and 60% specificity while a cut off of 5 would maximize sensitivity/specificity at 86% and 88%, respectively, in the cohort of patients analyzed. This was superior to the 4Ts for HIT Score.

Points to keep in mind:

  • Validation study was very small at 50 patients, highly heterogeneous, and all done at a single large academic health care system.
  • All determinations of HIT were done based on chart review.
  • Score was derived based purely on expert opinion and the confirmatory diagnosis of HIT was also based on the consensus of an expert panel.
  • A subsequent small (47 patients) retrospective study comparing the performance of the 4T’s scoring system vs HEP in suspected HIT patients, using a positive HPA as the gold standard for diagnosis of HIT, found no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic performance of the scores. It also demonstrated only a 70% sensitivity for the diagnosis of HIT at the previously proposed HEP score cut-off of 2.
  • There are no large scale or prospective studies validating the HEP score.

usecase

The heparin-induced thrombocytopenia expert probability (HEP) score is a tool that can potentially aid in diagnosing patients with suspected HIT, and to avoid expensive HIT workups in some patients.

reasons

The work-up for HIT is time-consuming and expensive. The HEP score could be used as a tool to avoid initiating work-up for HIT and/or empiric substitution of heparin for another anti-coagulant.

next_advice

next_actions

  • Consider using the 4Ts scoring system in conjunction with the HEP score as an alternative evaluation tool prior to time-consuming antibody testing for HIT or empiric substitution of heparin for another anti-coagulant.
  • Consider further laboratory evaluation for HIT or switching to a non-heparin derived anti-coagulant in those patients that are above the screening threshold for HIT based on their HEP score.
  • Larger studies of the HEP score are likely necessary prior to broader independent implementation.

next_management

diseases

[ "Thrombocytopenia" ]

instructions

published

2022-04-21T20:29:01.446Z

purpose

[ "Diagnosis" ]

search_terms

[ "hit", "plt", "platelets" ]

seo

{ "keywords_en": "hit probability score, heparin probability, prognosis heparin, prognosis heparin calc, HIT HEP, HEP score, heparin score, expert hep score, hep thrombocytopenia score", "meta_description_en": "The HIT Expert Probability Score (HEP) is a clinical scoring system to stratify the pre-test probability of suspected HIT cases." }

specialty

[ "Critical Care", "Emergency Medicine", "Hematology and Oncology", "Hospitalist Medicine", "Internal Medicine" ]

departments

[ "Hematologic" ]

tags

[]

version_number

1

versions

[]

related

[ { "calcId": 1787, "short_title_en": "4Ts for HIT", "slug": "4ts-score-heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia" }, { "calcId": 2143, "short_title_en": "Sokal Score", "slug": "sokal-index-chronic-myelogenous-leukemia-cml" }, { "calcId": 10203, "short_title_en": "ISTH Criteria for DIC", "slug": "isth-criteria-disseminated-intravascular-coagulation-dic" } ]

ismed

true

section

[ "whenToUseViewed", "pearlsPitfallsViewed", "whyUseViewed", "nextStepsViewed", "evidenceViewed" ]

cleaned_departments

[ "hematology" ]

cleaned_use

[ "The heparin-induced thrombocytopenia expert probability (HEP) score is a tool that can potentially aid in diagnosing patients with suspected HIT, and to avoid expensive HIT workups in some patients." ]

pub

true

Thrombocytopenia Features
Type of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) onset suspected
Magnitude of platelet count fall
Timing of platelet count fall
Timing of platelet count fall
Nadir platelet count
Thrombosis
Thrombosis
Skin necrosis at subcutaneous heparin injection sites
Acute systemic reaction after IV heparin bolus
Presence of bleeding, petechiae or extensive bruising
Other Causes of Thrombocytopenia
Presence of chronic thrombocytopenic disorder
Newly initiated non-heparin medication known to cause thrombocytopenia
Severe infection
Severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Indwelling intra-arterial device
Cardiopulmonary bypass within previous 96 hours
No other apparent cause