Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia with Pulmonary Embolism and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Associated with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe adverse effect of heparin therapy. Although most cases occur in patients receiving unfractionated heparin, HIT can arise in venous thrombosis prophylaxis with a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). We report an uncommon case of HIT in a postoperativ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of the medical sciences 2003-01, Vol.325 (1), p.45-47
Main Authors: Betrosian, Alex P., Lambroulis, George, Kostantonis, Dimitrios, Balla, Margarita, Papanikolaou, Metaxia, Georgiades, George, Theodossiades, George
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
Biological and medical sciences
Blood. Blood coagulation. Reticuloendothelial system
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation - diagnosis
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation - etiology
Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment
Female
Humans
Immunoglobulin G - immunology
Low-molecular-weight heparin
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous (drug allergy, mutagens, teratogens...)
Nadroparin - adverse effects
Nadroparin - immunology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Platelet Activation
Postoperative Complications
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary Embolism - diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism - etiology
Recombinant hirudin
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia - chemically induced
Thrombocytopenia - immunology
Thrombosis - prevention & control
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Ultrasonography
Venous Thrombosis - diagnosis
Venous Thrombosis - etiology
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Description
Summary:Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe adverse effect of heparin therapy. Although most cases occur in patients receiving unfractionated heparin, HIT can arise in venous thrombosis prophylaxis with a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). We report an uncommon case of HIT in a postoperative orthopedic patient associated with LMWH (nadroparin), complicated by deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, treated successfully with recombinant hirudin and immunoglobulin therapy.
ISSN:0002-9629
1538-2990
DOI:10.1097/00000441-200301000-00010