Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis after endovascular aneurysm repair

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is an immune-mediated syndrome that results from unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin exposure. It often remains unrecognized and undertreated and can cause limb and/or life-threatening thrombosis. The authors present 2 cases of thrombosis: one arterial and the other venous that occurred following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. To the authors' knowledge, this is only the second report of arterial thrombosis and the first of deep vein thrombosis as a result of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia developing following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. This underscores the importance of considering heparin-induced thrombocytopenia as a potential cause for postendovascular thrombotic complications in the patient who develops thrombocytopenia following this procedure.