Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)-induced skin necrosis in a patient with unstable angina

Autor: D Cummins, K.L Ang, A Bose, Mohamed Amrani, O Halil
Rok vydání: 2003
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Cardiology. 91:239-240
ISSN: 0167-5273
DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5273(03)00020-2
Popis: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is widely necrotic skin lesions 1 week after commencing used in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. subcutaneous enoxaparin (5000 units bd) for unstable We report a 66-year-old man who developed diffuse angina (Fig. 1). These lesions were similar to those described in previous reports: occurrence within 1 week of commencement of therapy, an initial painful bullous stage followed by well-circumscribed areas of necrosis, and resolution after cessation of therapy [1,2]. Though development of necrosis at the injection site is relatively common, cases of LMWH-induced skin necrosis affecting the trunk, limbs and forehead are rare. Recognition of the condition is important, both to minimise soft tissue damage and to reduce the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) [3]. Because of the high incidence of cross-reactivity between LMWHs and unfractionated heparin [4], all forms of heparin exposure should be avoided in such patients, including direct skin testing for hypersensitivity [4].
Databáze: OpenAIRE