title: [Platelet hyperaggregation induced by low molecular weight heparin in adult respiratory distress syndrome].
abstract: A case is reported of a 68-year-old woman admitted to the intensive care unit with an adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to accidental poisoning with anhydrous phthalic acid. She was given prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine). During the period of intensive care (mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure), the patient experienced a stroke from which she recovered only partially. During pleurectomy for persistent pneumothorax, a lung biopsy was carried out. It confirmed the diagnosis of ARDS and recognized multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. Because of these two thrombotic phenomena, a coagulation defect was searched for. Platelet aggregation tests were all positive with heparin and two low molecular weight fractions. The patient recovered remarkably once she was no longer given Fraxiparine, being extubated nine days afterwards. Six months after discharge, the patient's platelets still aggregated with heparin. The possible mechanism was a heparin-platelet-endothelium complex. It is noteworthy that, in this case, no thrombocytopaenia was found. It may have been countered by thrombocytosis, induced by cellular factors released during ARDS.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roynard
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pourriat
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Le Roux
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cupa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010976:Platelet Count; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; C043103:phthalic anhydride
vernacular_title: Hyperagrégabilité plaquettaire induite par une héparine de bas poids moléculaire au cours d'un syndrome de détresse respiratoire de l'adulte.