[Heparin-induced thrombopenia]

Abstract

Cutaneous necroses, acute renal failure and an adrenocortical insufficiency appeared during heparin therapy in a 47 year old patient with myocardial infarction. The thrombocytes fell to 73,000/microliter and displayed intensified spontaneous aggregation. In histological investigation of the cutaneous necroses, intensive thromboses of the cutaneous and subcutaneous blood vessels were found. The findings indicate a thromboembolic etiology of the acute renal failure and the adrenocortical insufficiency. This case involves a complex example of a heparin-induced thrombopenia with thromboembolic complications.