A Case of Surgery for a Giant Popliteal Venous Aneurysm Positive for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies with Repeated Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman with recurrent acute pulmonary embolism was diagnosed with a left popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) by venous echocardiography. During anticoagulation therapy with heparin for acute pulmonary embolism, she was found to be positive for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies. Surgery was performed with argatroban for anticoagulation, removal of the thrombus in the PVA, and suturing of the vein. Postoperatively, the popliteal vein showed shrinkage, and no recurrence of thromboembolism was observed. We report a case in which a patient with a PVA positive for HIT antibodies was successfully treated with PVA resection and anticoagulation therapy with argatroban.