title: Protein C deficiency associated with massive cerebral thrombosis following open heart surgery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Ridley
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ledingham
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lennox
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Burman
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sheffield
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talbot
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bevan
mesh_terms: 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