title: Protamine sulfate and fatal anaphylactoid shock.
abstract: A 73-year-old male underwent uneventful three-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting after which he received iv protamine sulfate for reversal of systemic heparinization. Shortly thereafter, the patient developed and succumbed to an anaphylactoid reaction attributed to protamine. The patient had none of the previously reported risk factors for hypersensitivity to the drug and was therefore not considered at high risk for such a severe adverse reaction. Although uncommon, the fatal outcome of this low-risk patient seriously addresses the need for alternative measures for heparin reversal.
authors: Critical Care/Pharmacokinetics, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Center.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Shikuma
authors: S D
authors: SD
authors: Eyer
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Zaske
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011479:Protamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D011479:Protamines