Anticoagulation in a neurosurgical patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II with argatroban and fondaparinux after clipping of an intracranial aneurysm

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic anticoagulation in patients after a major neurosurgical procedure remains critical because of the risk of a major intracranial bleed. Novel drugs could play a beneficial role in this setting. Case Report: We describe a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II and pulmonary embolism who was anticoagulated with argatroban and, later, with fondaparinux. No intracranial bleeding was detected when anticoagulation was performed with argatroban and, later, fondaparinux. Conclusion: Both substances could have therapeutic potential in this context. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.