Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is primarily a complication of adenoviral vector-based covid-19 vaccination. In VITT, thrombocytopenia and thrombosis mediated by anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies can be severe, often characterized by thrombosis at unusual sites such as the cerebral venous sinus and splanchnic circulation. Like in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and spontaneous HIT, VITT antibodies recognize PF4-polyanion complexes and activate PF4-treated platelets but additionally bind to un-complexed PF4, a critical finding that could be leveraged for more specific detection of VITT. Intravenous immunoglobulin and non-heparin-based anticoagulation remain the mainstay of treatment. Second dose/boosters of mRNA covid-19 vaccines appear safe in patients with adenoviral vector-associated VITT. Emerging data is consistent with the possibility that ultra-rare cases of VITT may be seen in the setting of mRNA and virus-like particle (VLP) technology-based vaccinations and until more data is available, it is prudent to consider VITT in the differential diagnosis of all post-vaccine thrombosis and thrombocytopenia reactions.

Keywords: Heparin; Platelet factor 4; SARS-CoV-2; TTS; Thrombocytopenia; Thrombosis; VITT; Vaccines.