Plasmapheresis in Patients With Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Requiring Ventricular Assist Device.

Maffei, Salvador R; Lamba, Harveen K; Mensah, Cassius Kwasi; Bracey, Arthur; Civitello, Andrew; Delgado, Reynolds; Simpson, Leo; Nair, Ajith et al. · Ann Thorac Surg · 2020

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin is vital to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events during cardiopulmonary bypass and left ventricular assist device placement. However patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia are at risk of developing immune-mediated thrombotic events. We describe 2 patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia confirmed via serotonin release assay who were successfully treated with plasmapheresis exchange before left ventricular assist device placement.

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