title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia complicated by bilateral adrenal haemorrhage.
abstract: Acute adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal haemorrhage is an important clinical diagnosis and its association with heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia is infrequent. We report on a patient in whom life threatening acute adrenal insufficiency occurred consequent to such an association. The clinical manifestations simulated septic shock, highlighting the need to consider specifically acute adrenal insufficiency in such settings, and institute therapy promptly prior to obtaining results of confirmatory tests.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Therapy Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ernest
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D006854:Hydrocortisone