title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis after cardiac surgery. A case report.
abstract: We report a rare case of cerebral infarct resulting in brain death due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis (HITT), manifested in the immediate postoperative period following aortic valve replacement in a 46-year-old woman whose only prior exposure to heparin was during catheterization four months prior to surgery. The diagnosis of HITT was suspected after a significant decrease of the platelet count and it was confirmed by a heparin-induced platelet activation assay showing platelet aggregation in the presence of heparin.
authors.affiliation: Department ofAnesthesia and Surgery, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: T h
authors.initials: Th
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stavridis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daganou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melissari
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gatzonis
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin