Thrombolytic therapy in acute pulmonary embolism due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II

Authors

• Azza A. Alafify, Senior Registrar, Department of Cardiology, Riyadh Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (1) 2864678/4355555. Ext. 1253. E-mail: alafifiazza{at}hotmail.com
• Tarig S. Al-Khuwaitir, General Internal Medicine, Riyadh Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Abdurahman M. Al-Mugheiri, Department of General Internal Medicine, Riyadh Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Djibril M Ndao, Hematology/Oncology, Riyadh Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Hospitalized patients are in danger of deep venous thrombosis either due to a genetic tendency, immobilization or the underlying medical condition. Paradoxically heparin, the substance used to prevent this complication, can lead to thrombo-embolic phenomena, which can be life threatening. We report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which caused a massive pulmonary embolism, and its management by administering a thrombolytic agent in a situation where bleeding seems inevitable.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

1800

Last Page

1802

Recommended Citation

Alafify, Azza A.; Al-Khuwaitir, Tarig S.; Al-Mugheiri, Abdurahman M.; and Ndao, Djibril M (2005) "Thrombolytic therapy in acute pulmonary embolism due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 11, Article 22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.3203