FAILURE OF LOW-DOSAGE THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY WITH STREPTOKINASE TO TREAT HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIC-THROMBOTIC SYNDROME

We report the case of a 58-year-old man affected by thrombocytopenic-t hrombotic syndrome induced by therapy with subcutaneous unfractionated heparin for superficial phlebitis of the left inferior limb. Thrombol ytic therapy with low-dosage streptokinase, reported as successful in a previous case described by other authors, was inefficacious and the patient's outcome was unfavourable. Thrombocytopenic-thrombotic syndro me may be a dreadful and often deadly consequence of heparin therapy, and its treatment needs investigation, owing to currently broadening u se of anticoagulant treatment with both unfractionated and low molecul ar weight heparins. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.