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29 May 2020 : Case report  USA

Myocardial Infarction with Limb Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in a Patient with Enoxaparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)

Navdeep Singh1BEF*, Sandeep Singh Lubana2DEF, Han-mou Tsai2EF

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.922498

Am J Case Rep 2020; 21:e922498

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heparin, often used as an anticoagulant, acts by binding to antithrombin III. Indeed, heparin binds to a variety of proteins other than antithrombin III. Among them, platelet factor 4 can bind and neutralize the anticoagulant activity of heparin. Upon binding with heparin, platelet factor 4 undergoes a conformational change and expresses immunogenic neo-epitopes that induce the generation of antibodies of the platelet factor 4 heparin complex. This immune reaction may lead to thrombocytopenia and venous, arterial, or microvascular thrombosis. However, the risk of such complications is quite variable, as it is affected not only by the source and dose of heparin and the clinical condition (e.g., cardiovascular surgery and orthopedic surgery) of the patient, but also the molecular size of the heparin formulation. Venous, arterial, and small-vessel thrombosis can lead to leg swelling, pulmonary embolism, stroke, skin necrosis, or gangrene requiring limb amputation or intestinal resection. Myocardial infarction due to coronary thrombosis also occurs, although it is less common and can be readily recognized.

CASE REPORT: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially life-threatening complication of heparin therapy. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and thrombocytopenia within 10 days of prophylactic enoxaparin therapy after undergoing bilateral total knee replacement surgery. She also had peripheral arterial and venous thrombosis. With thrombolysis and argatroban anticoagulation therapy, she recovered without residual sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytopenia with coronary and other vascular thrombosis is a potentially serious complication of heparin therapy. A trend of decreased platelet count, decreased platelet count by 30% or more, and/or occurrence of any type of thrombosis should raise the suspicion of HIT. This case demonstrates that early recognition and prompt treatment of HIT can be life-saving.

Keywords: enoxaparin, platelet factor 4, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombosis, Antithrombins, Arginine, Factor Xa Inhibitors, Pipecolic Acids, Pyrazoles, Pyridones, ST elevation myocardial infarction, Sulfonamides

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American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923