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HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO HEPARIN: DELAYED ONSET THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND NECROTIZING SKIN LESIONS
Author(s) -
Platell Cameron F. E.,
Tan Eric G. C.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1986.tb04516.x
Subject(s) - medicine , heparin , dermatology , skin reaction , intensive care medicine , heparin induced thrombocytopenia , hypersensitivity reaction , surgery , immunology
Significant hypersensitivity reactions to heparin may manifest as either delayed onset thrombocytopenia or as necrotizing skin lessions. Such hypersensitivity reactions are uncommonly recognized, partly because of their rarity and partly because their existence is not widely appreciated. Both adverse reactions may be readily diagnosed. In the presence of these reactions, continuing heparin therapy may lead to serious thrombo‐embolic complications and death of the patient. In this study, two patients who highlight the clinical settings of these reactions are discussed with reference to their pathogensis and clinical significance.