Low molecular weight heparin-induced liver toxicity.
The authors report two cases of hepatotoxicity induced by low molecular weight heparin. A 26-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were treated with low molecular weight heparin for pulmonary embolism and cerebral infarction, respectively. They both developed derangement in liver function tests a few days after commencement of the low molecular weight heparin. The derangement in liver function tests was associated with a decreased serum complement 3 activity. Their liver functions recovered over a period of 2 to 3 months after low molecular weight heparin was stopped. Liver biopsy in the woman demonstrated balloon degeneration with scattered foci of hepatocytic necrosis, suggesting a complement-mediated hepatocellular damage.
Hui
C K
CK
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
Yuen
M F
MF
Ng
I O
IO
Tsang
K W
KW
Fong
G C
GC
Lai
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D017762:Nadroparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D003176:Complement C3; D017984:Enoxaparin; D017762:Nadroparin