C-reactive protein level at admission is associated with increased mortality in critically ill cardiac patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Funding Acknowledgements None. Introduction Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare immune-mediated disorder related to the use of unfractionated heparin or low-molecular weight heparin. As heparin is commonly used in critically ill cardiac patients, HIT consititute a relevant clinical issue in the intensive cardiac care unit. Despite this, there isn't any known factor that could predict mortality in acute cardiac patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Purpose The purpose of our study was to verify if any clinical or laboratory factor could predict mortality in critically ill cardiac patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Methods We retrospectively collected data of all patients with HIT who were hospitalized in our intensive cardiac care unit in 2016-2023. We had used functionalized latex immunoassay to confirm the diagnosis of HIT. We performed statistical analysis including clinical and laboratory variables to find any predictor of mortality in critically ill cardiac patients with HIT. Results Among 22 483 patients hospitalized in 2016-2023 in our department of cardiology 12 were diagnosed with HIT. 4 of them died during index hospitalization and 8 survived. Among clinical and laboratory characteristics only C-reactive protein level at admission was associated with increased mortality in acute caridac patients with HIT. Non-survivors had higher CRP levels at admission as compared to survivors, 190 [125-247] mg/l vs. 22 [9-71] mg/l respectively (p = 0,03). Conclusions C-reactive protein level at admission is associated with increased mortality in critically ill cardiac patients with HIT. Initial underlying systemic inflammatory response may constitute the precipitating factor of unfavorouble outcome in acute cardiac patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.