Heparin-induced thrombosis without thrombocytopenia causing fulminant pulmonary embolism after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Heart Surg Forum. 2009 Dec;12(6):E368-70. doi: 10.1532/HSF98.20091057.

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare immune-mediated complication of heparin administration. A potentially life-threatening complication, HIT is difficult to diagnose in patients in the intensive care unit after cardiac surgery because there can be multiple reasons for thrombocytopenia. Moreover, immune-mediated platelet consumption may be masked by reactive thrombocytosis, which is common in the typical postoperative course after cardiac surgery. We report the case of a 57-year-old male patient who developed fulminant pulmonary embolism following heparin-induced thrombosis without thrombocytopenia after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump / adverse effects*
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / etiology*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin