Mesenteric and coeliac occlusions following heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after aortobiprofunda bypass surgery.
A 56-year-old man developed mid-gut bowel ischaemia following an elective aortobiprofunda bypass for short-distance claudication. The bowel was resected and he was commenced on lifelong total parenteral nutrition. He was found to have developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, confirmed by high levels of heparin-platelet factor 4-antibody on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). He subsequently had foregut ischaemia with a second bout of thrombocytopenia despite not being on heparin. The case describes the first report of bowel ischaemia as a consequence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia causing sequential superior mesenteric and coeliac arterial thrombosis in this scenario and highlights the importance of the awareness of the association of these pathological entities and subsequent management.
Bigsby
Ewan
E
Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK. drewan@doctors.org.uk
Chaudhuri
Arindam
A
Whiteway
Alastair
A
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002445:Celiac Artery; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin