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Meningococcemia and heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: a dangerous combination
Author(s) -
Mozzo Elena,
Vidal Enrico,
Pettenazzo Andrea,
Amigoni Angela
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1111/pan.12056
Subject(s) - medicine , heparin , heparin induced thrombocytopenia , sepsis , disseminated intravascular coagulation , amputation , intensive care medicine , renal replacement therapy , intensive care unit , thromboelastometry , coagulation , anesthesia , surgery
Summary We present a dramatic case of a patient presenting with disseminated intravascular coagulation related to meningococcal sepsis who developed heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia following heparin administration during continuous renal replacement therapy. Association of these two prothrombotic conditions led to severe limbs ischemia and finally to bilateral legs amputation. We stress the importance of suspect heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia in intensive care unit patients, especially when an improvement of other coagulation parameters is observed, and heparin therapy was started.