HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA WITH THROMBOTIC COMPLICATIONS DURINGPROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT WITH LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is very uncommon with low-molecular-w eight heparin, especially when given for prophylaxis of venous thrombo embolism. In two of the four published cases, with thrombotic complica tions, thrombocytopenia may have been related to cross-reactivity betw een unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin. We report one patient who received low-molecular-weight heparin for prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism without any previous injection of unfr actionated heparin, and experienced thrombocytopenia with thrombotic c omplications. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was confirmed by severa l laboratory assays. This observation emphasizes the need for platelet count monitoring during low-molecular-weight heparin therapy.