Heparin 'flush' induced thrombocytopenia triggered by total hip replacement: A case report

Abstract

Background Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) typically responds to heparin termination. Some types of HIT can persist after heparin discontinuation. Case summary A 95-year-old woman was referred to the cardiology from orthopaedics because of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) 1 day after surgery of a femoral neck fracture. Despite thrombectomy, ALI relapsed the next day. She had been treated with intravenous antibiotics with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia for 1 week until 3 days before surgery, together with heparin flush twice a day. Of note, no intra-/post-operative heparin was administered, no cell salvage device, central venous, nor arterial catheters were used before development of ALI. The patient and her family refused reattempting invasive therapies; consequently, the patient continued to worsen and died on post-operative day 3. Diagnosis of autoimmune HIT, which was prompted by surgery without re-exposure to heparin, was confirmed posthumously. Discussion This case emphasizes the significance of suspecting autoimmune HIT in any patient presenting with thrombosis, even if the heparin exposure dates back more than a few days or even without heparin exposure.