Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia in a patient with polycythemia vera: the importance of a marked drop in platelet count.
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.
Garcia
S
S
Servicio de Hematologia, Hospital General, Valencia, España.
Cervero
A
A
Sanchez
M
M
Colomina
P
P
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
D006493:Heparin