A 70-year-old hospitalized with pneumonia receives unfractionated heparin for VTE prophylaxis. Platelets drop from 250k to 110k on day 7 without throm...

Question

A 70-year-old hospitalized with pneumonia receives unfractionated heparin for VTE prophylaxis. Platelets drop from 250k to 110k on day 7 without thrombosis. 4T score is intermediate. What is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Stop heparin and start a non‑heparin anticoagulant while sending HIT testing

Answer

Continue heparin and monitor

Answer

Switch to warfarin now

Answer

Give platelet transfusion

Answer

No further action

Heparin‑Induced Thrombocytopenia-Initial Management — MRCP Part 1 MCQ

A 70-year-old hospitalized with pneumonia receives unfractionated heparin for VTE prophylaxis. Platelets drop from 250k to 110k on day 7 without thrombosis. 4T score is intermediate. What is the next step?