A pulmonary embolism caused by delayed-onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient with ischemic stroke.
We report a case of an acute stroke patient with pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by delayed-onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). She was treated with heparin to prevent neurological deterioration. However, 5 days after heparin had been given for 7 days, she developed PE. Heparin was re-started, but the platelet count decreased significantly, and a right ventricular thrombus appeared. She was finally diagnosed as having PE due to delayed-onset HIT because the HIT antibody was positive. When a patient develops thrombotic events during or after heparin therapy, the possibility of HIT should be considered.
Aoki
Junya
J
Department of Stroke Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki. aojyun@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Iguchi
Yasuyuki
Y
Kimura
Kazumi
K
Yamashita
Shinji
S
Shibazaki
Kensaku
K
Terasawa
Yuka
Y
D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006493:Heparin