Heparin-induced hepatotoxicity.
Heparin-induced hepatotoxicity is well described in the literature, but rarely recognized clinically. Two cases were recently encountered. In the first case, elevated aminotransferase levels occurred after four days of heparin therapy. In the second case, enzyme levels increased after only 8 h of heparin treatment. To the authors' knowledge, this short time interval between the administration of heparin and liver enzyme elevations has not been described. The objective of this report is to increase the clinical awareness of this interesting and under-recognized biochemical observation.
AL-Mekhaizeem
K A
KA
Division of Gastroenterology, Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Sherker
A H
AH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase