title: Thrombocytopenia associated with dialysis treatments.
abstract: We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who developed thrombocytopenia associated with dialysis treatments. Laboratory values revealed a platelet count of 50,000 or less postdialysis, with recovery of platelet count during her interdialytic period. An extensive work up including infectious serology and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia test was negative. Based on the pattern of thrombocytopenia and negative work-up, it is concluded that her thrombocytopenia was due to her dialysis treatments. We discuss the literature on thrombocytopenia and hemodialysis and postulate that our patient had a reaction to her dialyzer membrane or to the electron beam radiation method used to sterilize her dialyzer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Aurora
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Posadas
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schleuter
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paparello
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013242:Sterilization; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial