title: Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia in a patient with polycythemia vera: the importance of a marked drop in platelet count.
abstract: The present report describes a patient with polycythemia vera who developed a severe arterial and venous thrombosis caused by systemically administered heparin. An immunologic implication has been proposed as pathophysiological mechanism of this heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome. It is suggested, however, that a strong decrease in platelet count as occurred in this patient leads to a higher chance of developing this complication.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Hematologia, Hospital General, Valencia, España.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cervero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Colomina
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin