Unfractionated heparin induced thrombocytopenia: A case review

Abstract

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a disastrous, potentially devastating immune-mediated adverse drug reaction resulted
in the formation of antibodies which activate platelets in the presence of heparin. Here, we presented an exemplifying case of a
45-year-old male patient, a known case of Deep Venous Thrombosis admitted in Emergency Department with complaints of left groin
pain along with passing bloody clot in urine for past 5 days. The patient was diagnosed as Renal Artery Thrombosis with the help
of radiological findings and was treated with Inj. Heparin. Thrombocytopenia developed on the first day of therapy and confirmed
with Heparin PF4 IgG ELISA Immunoassay. The patient switched to inj. Argatroban and later changed to oral anticoagulant therapy.
Platelet count gradually came to normal upon stoppage of Inj. Heparin. To avoid a catastrophic outcome, heparin should be stopped
before initiating proper management.