Cerebral venous thrombosis due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
A patient with polycythemia vera who was treated with heparin for superficial septic thrombophlebitis developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous thrombosis with superior sagittal sinus occlusion 11 days after the institution of heparin therapy. We suggest that the severe thrombotic response to the heparin-induced platelet disorder in this patient occurred because the polycythemia vera and the purulent infection enhanced the thrombophilia caused by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. This condition can be avoided in most instances if heparin is used for no longer than 5 days.
Kyritsis
A P
AP
Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison.
Williams
E C
EC
Schutta
H S
HS
D002550:Cerebral Veins; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
D006493:Heparin