Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis after cardiac surgery. A case report

We report a rare ease of cerebral infarct resulting in brain death due to h eparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis (HITT), manifested in the immedi ate postoperative period following aortic valve replacement in a 46-year-ol d woman whose only prior exposure to heparin was during catheterization fou r months prior to surgery. The diagnosis of HITT was suspected after a sign ificant decrease of the platelet count and it was confirmed by a heparin-in duced platelet activation assay showing platelet aggregation in the presenc e of heparin.