INTRODUCTION: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome (HITS) is an infrequent complication of heparin anticoagulation. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 44-year-old male who was admitted with acute ischaemia of his right lower limb. He was initially treated with unfractionated heparin and thrombolysis, but subsequently developed acute aortic thrombosis 8 days following initiation of heparin therapy. This was treated with bilateral per-femoral thrombectomy with curative result. CONCLUSION: This case report draws the attention of surgeons to the difficulties in diagnosing HITS and highlights the multidisciplinary management of a complicated case of acute ischaemia.
INTRODUCTION:Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome (HITS) is an infrequent complication of heparin anticoagulation. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 44-year-old male who was admitted with acute ischaemia of his right lower limb. He was initially treated with unfractionated heparin and thrombolysis, but subsequently developed acute aortic thrombosis 8 days following initiation of heparin therapy. This was treated with bilateral per-femoral thrombectomy with curative result. CONCLUSION: This case report draws the attention of surgeons to the difficulties in diagnosing HITS and highlights the multidisciplinary management of a complicated case of acute ischaemia.
Authors: Jeanine M Walenga; Walter P Jeske; M Margaret Prechel; Peter Bacher; Mamdouh Bakhos Journal: Semin Thromb Hemost Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 4.180