Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis--a case report

The course of the disease of a 48-year-old female patient is described who in pre-existing chronic myocarditis (and absolute atrial arrhythmia) during an attempt of rhythmisation with digitoxin and quinidine under protection of heparin developed a fatally ending thrombocytopenia and thrombosis and attention is paid to the necessity of the control of the coagulation status and the numbers of thrombocytes before and after every heparin therapy. The criteria according to Makhoul and Greenberg have a diagnostic value and they shall help in the early recognition of the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis and in the prevention of their full development.