Spontaneous Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Following Orthopaedic Surgery: Case Report and Review of the Literature

摘要

Background: Spontaneous heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a medical phenomenon whereby patients develop clinical and laboratory features of HIT without prior exposure to heparin. Aim: We present a patient who underwent bilateral total knee replacement complicated by spontaneous HIT causing bilateral adrenal hemorrhage and deep vein thrombosis. Our patient had no prior history of heparin exposure. We reconcile our patient’s presentation with other case reports of spontaneous HIT in patients who had orthopaedic surgery. Conclusion: Spontaneous HIT is a rare but potentially devastating complication associated with total knee arthroplasty.