Anticoagulation with hirudin for continuous veno-venous hemodialysis in liver transplantation

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2001 Aug;45(7):914-8. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2001.045007914.x.

Abstract

Postoperative encephalopathy after orthotopic liver transplantation can be difficult to diagnose. We report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a liver transplant patient who had seizures. Due to poor liver function the patient developed hepatorenal syndrome requiring continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD). Initially we used heparin as the anticoagulant. After the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) was made, we switched to r-hirudin. No serious side effects, e.g. bleeding or immune sensitization, were seen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Hemofiltration*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / surgery
  • Hirudin Therapy*
  • Hirudins / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Liver Circulation / physiology
  • Liver Transplantation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Partial Thromboplastin Time
  • Prothrombin Time

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Hirudins