Thrombosis resulting from heparin therapy.
Heparin is widely used in current practice for a variety of indications. It is well known that it can cause thrombocytopenia, but not that thrombosis may also develop in thrombocytopenic patients and cause significant morbidity and mortality. A 56-year-old woman developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis that resulted in the amputation of her leg. It is proposed that the reaction has an immune-mediated mechanism. Several ways of diagnosing the condition are available, specifically the serotonin-release assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The investigational agent danaproid may be effective in the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis.
Gottschling
L L
LL
Department of Pharmacy, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA.
Alaniz
C
C
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin