Abstract
We present a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia caused by saline containing heparin used in a continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring device. A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fall injury. We diagnosed unstable pelvic fracture and treated him with fluid resuscitation. We performed continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring from the first day. Elective surgery for pelvic fracture was performed on the 5th day. Starting on the 7th day, thrombocytopenia developed and his platelet count has decreased to 2.7×104 /μl by the eleventh day. As heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was suspected, we stopped the continuous blood pressure monitoring and administered argatroban. As a result, his platelet count increased gradually and we later detected heparin-associated antiplatelet antibodies in his blood. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare but life-threatening disease. We should be aware of the risk of this disease while performing continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring.
