Decision-analysis tree. The decision-analysis tree model starts when HIT is suspected and all forms of heparin are discontinued. Hypothetical patients are initiated on argatroban, bivalirudin or fondaparinux. The model assumes laboratory tests would be readily available after 2 days to confirm HIT diagnosis and continue treating patients with nonheparin anticoagulants for a total of 6 days or exclude the diagnosis of HIT and stop nonheparin anticoagulant after 2 days. The model assumed 3 expected outcomes while on nonheparin anticoagulant: HIT-related VTE, major bleeding, or no complication. The baseline rates of outcomes reported in studies and the calculated probabilities of these outcomes can be seen in this figure. BR, baseline rate; P, probability; Ref, reference.