Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia following coronary artery bypass grafting: a diagnostic dilemma

• Main Authors: Raju Khanal, Paras Karmacharya, Daniel A. Forman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2015-10-01
• Series: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
• Subjects: CABG; HIT; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; serotonin release assay
• Online Access: http://www.jchimp.net/index.php/jchimp/article/view/28745/pdf_69
• ISSN: 2000-9666

The diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a challenge in post-cardiac surgery patients because of the high incidence of non-immune thrombocytopenia and heparin–platelet factor 4 antibodies in these groups. We present a case of HIT in a post coronary artery bypass surgery patient, which was successfully treated with prompt recognition and discontinuation of heparin products.