A comparison of the Diamed PaGIA with an ELISA method for detection of HIT antibodies

The aim of this study was to determine whether the Diamed ID-PaGIA (particle gel immunoassay) screening test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) could be used as a reliable replacement for ELISA methodology (the Asserachrom HPIA kit, Bayer Healthcare). The potential advantages of the IDPaGIA method over the ELISA technology are that it is simple to perform, the test can be completed in twenty minutes, no specialised training is required, it could be available 24 hours a day, is cheaper and is reproducible. Potentially the ID-PaGIA method could lead to savings in the pathology laboratory and possibly better outcomes for patients. This study was undertaken on 39 patient samples collected for routine HIT screening. The results obtained with the ID-PaGIA method were similar to the more commonly used ELISA method with no false positive results reported. The results of this pilot study suggest that the Diamed ID-PaGIA method would appear to be suitable as a screening test for HIT.