Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiac surgery

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) presents a complex clinical challenge, particularly for patients undergoing cardiac surgery where anticoagulation is an essential part of care.

In this episode of Critical Matters, Dr. Sergio Zanotti is joined by Dr. Subhasis Chatterjee and Dr. Daniel Engelman, two authors of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Expert Consensus Document addressing the management of HIT in cardiac surgery.

Dr. Chatterjee is a cardiothoracic surgeon and critical care physician with Baylor College of Medicine and The Texas Heart Institute in Houston. Dr. Engelman is a cardiothoracic surgeon and critical care physician with Baystate Medical Center and UMass Chan Medical School–Baystate in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Together, they explore the challenges clinicians face when identifying and managing HIT in cardiac surgery patients and discuss how the new expert consensus can help inform clinical decision-making in this complex setting.

Additional resources:

2026 American Association for Thoracic Surgery Expert Consensus Document: Diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients who undergo cardiac surgery.  J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2026.

Management of Anticoagulation in Patients With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Requiring Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Guidance From the ISTH SSC. AM Pishko, et al. J Thromb Haemost 2026.

Books mentioned in this episode:

A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck. By Sophie Elmhirst.

The Cardiac Surgery Playbook: A Practical Guide to Understanding, Preparing for, and Recovering After Heart Surgery. By Daniel Engelman, et al.