Management of acute vascular graft thrombosis associated with HIT syndrome: a case report

Abstract

In this case immediate graft thrombosis (and thrombosis of the outflow vessel) occurred repeatedly in a 60-year-old woman with a previous history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The recurrent thrombus formation was due to cross-reactivity of a heparin-dependent anti-platelet antibody with the low-molecular-weight heparin which had been administered pre-operatively to the patient. The situation was reversed by systemic administration of a low-molecular-weight heparinoid (Orgaran) which does not contain heparin and has a very low incidence of cross-reactivity.