title: Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia: a complication of low-dose heparin prophylaxis.
abstract: The authors describe a 61-year-old white female who received low-dose heparin prophylaxis in conjunction with a radical vulvectomy with abdomino-perineal resection for stage III Bartholin gland carcinoma and subsequently developed heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis. This phenomenon occurs in 0.1% of patients exposed to heparin therapy and has been reported as having a mortality rate of 29% and a 21% rate of limb loss. It is thought to be caused by a heparin-dependent IgG platelet-aggregating antibody. Because of the widespread use of heparin prophylaxis in surgery, the clinician needs to be aware of this complication.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cottingham
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wheelock
mesh_terms: D001472:Bartholin's Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin