HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND HEART OPERATION - MANAGEMENT WITH TEDELPARIN

Anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass in the infrequent clinical setting of thrombocytopenia associated with the use of unfractionated heparin is a very serious problem. We describe a case in which a low-m olecular-weight heparin (tedelparin) was selected for this purpose bas ed on a platelet aggregation test, permitting adequate anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass for valve replacement. This case report might help establish an adequate anticoagulation protocol when faced with a patient suffering from this condition.