Heparin challenge test in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: dealing with heparin allergy

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2020 Mar;31(2):165-169. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000883.

Abstract

: A history of heparin hypersensitivity in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery poses the dilemma of which anticoagulant to use. Here, we report the successful use of a heparin challenge test in a 66-year-old female candidate for coronary artery bypass graft surgery with a past medical history of enoxaparin type I hypersensitivity after pulmonary embolism. Challenge and desensitization protocols are effectively used for essential antibiotics in patients with severe infections and/or allergies, or patients with aspirin intolerance requiring revascularization for coronary disease. A successful use of desensitization protocols to unfractionated heparin has been previously described in four patients undergoing cardiac surgery with various schemes. However, our case report indicates that a challenge test may also offer a quick, safe and effective approach in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to heparin with inconclusive diagnostic tests and/or whenever the use of alternative heparins is tricky.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests*
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Enoxaparin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Enoxaparin
  • Heparin