Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis after cardiac surgery. A case report.

We report a rare case of cerebral infarct resulting in brain death due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis (HITT), manifested in the immediate postoperative period following aortic valve replacement in a 46-year-old woman whose only prior exposure to heparin was during catheterization four months prior to surgery. The diagnosis of HITT was suspected after a significant decrease of the platelet count and it was confirmed by a heparin-induced platelet activation assay showing platelet aggregation in the presence of heparin.