Formation of anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies after cardiac surgery: Influence of perioperative platelet activation, the inflammatory response, and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen status  Domenico Paparella, MD, Giuseppe Scrascia, MD, Antonella Galeone, MD, Maria Coviello, BSc, Giangiuseppe Cappabianca, MD, Maria Teresa Venneri, BSc, Biagio Favoino, BSc, Michele Quaranta, MD, Luigi de Luca Tupputi Schinosa, MD, Theodore E. Warkentin, MD  The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  Volume 136, Issue 6, Pages 1456-1463 (December 2008) DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.06.014 Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Box plot of platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels according to seroconversion. Data are presented as medians (interquartile ranges). In the entire population, a significant increase in PF4 levels was observed between T0 and T1 (P < .0001). However, no differences were seen in PF4 levels between seroconverted and nonseroconverted patients. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2008 136, 1456-1463DOI: (10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.06.014) Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Box plot of interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels according to anti–platelet factor 4/heparin antibody OD levels (≥0.45 or <0.45) measured at T3 (excluding 14 patients with OD levels ≥0.45 preoperatively). The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2008 136, 1456-1463DOI: (10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.06.014) Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions