Bilateral lower extremity gangrene requiring amputation associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia--a case report

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2006 Mar-Apr;40(2):161-4. doi: 10.1177/153857440604000212.

Abstract

Heparin use, both prophylactically and therapeutically, is prevalent among hospitalized patients. Patients on heparin may develop a thrombocytopenia that is self-limited. Fewer patients develop a heparin-induced thrombocytopenia that can cause severe bleeding and thrombosis owing to intravascular platelet aggregation. The authors present a case report of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient who underwent aortic arch and aortic valve replacement that resulted in bilateral above-knee amputations. The patient developed limb ischemia related to heparin-associated thrombosis, but had a delay in antibody seroconversion. Early and accurate diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia requires a high clinical suspicion and may be present despite the absence of serum antibodies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amputation, Surgical*
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Gangrene / blood
  • Gangrene / etiology*
  • Gangrene / surgery
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Heparin / immunology
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / blood
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / surgery
  • Knee / surgery
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply*
  • Lower Extremity / surgery
  • Male
  • Thrombocytopenia / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / blood
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / surgery

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin