Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a glioblastoma multiforme patient with inferior vena cava filter placement for deep venous thrombosis

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia for the Perioperative and Critical Care Clinician

Purpose of Review

This review will illustrate the importance of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the intraoperative and critical care settings.

Recent Findings

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs more frequently in surgical patients compared with medical patients due to the inflammatory release of platelet factor 4 and perioperative heparin exposure. Recognition of this disease requires a high index of suspicion. Diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies have been expanded and refined in recent years.

Summary

HIT is a condition where antibodies against the heparin/platelet factor 4 complex interact with platelet receptors to promote platelet activation, aggregation, and thrombus formation. Our review will focus on intraoperative and postoperative considerations related to HIT to help the clinician better manage this rare but often devastating hypercoagulable disease process.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presenting as unilateral lower limb paralysis following lumbar spine surgery: case report

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a state of thrombocytopenia with a paradoxically elevated thrombotic potential after exposure to heparin. Severe cases can present with multiorgan involvement with direct and secondary effects. Although HIT has been reported following other surgeries, to the authors' knowledge there has not been a report of HIT after spinal surgery. The present case details the course of a patient who underwent elective lumbar surgery followed by delayed presentation of shortness of breath due to multiple pulmonary embolisms and right lower-extremity paralysis due to extensive iliofemoral clot burden with acute compartment syndrome. The patient was treated with intravenous argatroban for extensive thrombosis and also required open thrombectomy and fasciotomies for treatment of compartment syndrome. Although the patient eventually experienced motor recovery, residual sensory deficits persisted at last follow-up. In this report, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of HIT are reviewed.