ANTIBODY-INDUCED ARTERIAL THROMBOEMBOLISM RESULTING IN AMPUTATION AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare drug reaction that can be a ssociated with thrombotic complications leading to myocardial infarct, stroke, or ischemic loss of a limb. Because of the broadening indicat ions of low-molecular-weight heparin use, the current emphasis on ambu latory care, and the difficulty in clinical diagnosis and treatment of this drug reaction, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is the most impo rtant allergic drug reaction that physicians must manage. An antibody- mediated drug reaction to low-molecular-weight heparin that resulted i n a below-knee amputation after an elective total knee arthroplasty is reported.