Protein C deficiency associated with massive cerebral thrombosis following open heart surgery.
We describe a case of massive cerebral venous thrombosis following open heart surgery in a patient with a reduced level of Protein C (40% of mean level). Protein C deficiency is an inherited disorder which in the homozygous form may result in massive fatal venous thrombosis in the newborn. A Protein C level below 55% is highly suggestive of heterozygous deficiency and has been associated with a tendency to venous thrombosis although its clinical penetrance is variable. This is the first reported case of massive venous thrombosis in a patient following open heart surgery associated with Protein C deficiency.
Ridley
P D
PD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Ledingham
S J
SJ
Lennox
S C
SC
Burman
J F
JF
Chung
H I
HI
Sheffield
E A
EA
Talbot
S
S
Bevan
D
D
D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D020151:Protein C Deficiency