title: Massive acute thrombosis of the descending thoracic aorta in heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.
abstract: Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis is a rare but serious complication in patients receiving heparin therapy. We report a case of a patient with this complication who had massive thrombosis within the descending thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Our case suggests that a transesophageal echocardiographic examination can be useful in the early diagnosis of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Antecol
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Walley
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin