HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA WITH MULTIPLE CEREBRAL INFARCTIONS SIMULATING THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA - A CASE-REPORT

The authors describe a patient with stroke, treated with heparin for u nstable angina, whose clinical features mimicked those of thrombotic t hrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). His condition eventually proved to be c aused by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), complicated by thromb osis (HITT). The absence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia should q uestion the diagnosis in a presumed TTP patient. Early diagnosis of HI TT is possible since recently two highly sensitive and specific tests have become available. Heparin treatment has to be stopped immediately if HITT is diagnosed. First-choice antithrombotic treatment in HITT p atients is danaparoid.