Table 1.

Differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia in the ICU

Sepsis and healthcare-associated infections

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: e.g., GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, thrombolytic agents, and antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin)

Perioperative fluid resuscitation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Massive transfusion

Intravascular devices: ECMO, IABP, LVAD and pulmonary catheter

Liver disease/hypersplenism

Pulmonary embolism

Immune thrombocytopenias

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Cancer-associated DIC, primary bone marrow disorder

Antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosis

EDTA-induced pseudothrombocytopenia

ECMO: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; IABP: intra-aortic balloon pump; LVAD: left ventricular assist device; EDTA: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid