Restoration of adrenal function after bilateral adrenal damage due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT): a case report

Journal of Medical Case Reports

Mathieu Nendaz²  Jacques Philippe¹  Françoise Boehlen³  Jaafar Jaafar² 

[1] Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Geneva 1211, Switzerland;Department of Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Geneva 1211, Switzerland;Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Geneva 1211, Switzerland

关键词: Adrenal hemorrhage;    Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia;    Adrenal insufficiency;   

Others  :  1145563
DOI  :  10.1186/1752-1947-9-18

 received in 2014-08-06, accepted in 2014-12-08,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Introduction

Patients with bilateral adrenal damage due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia usually need lifelong steroid substitution. So far, no data exists about the natural evolution of such a condition, especially about adrenal function recovery and the real need for lifelong steroids.

Case presentation

An 81-year-old Caucasian woman with bilateral adrenal damage due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presented with fever and severe hypotension. Adrenal failure was confirmed biologically and radiologically. She eventually recovered her adrenal function, allowing for steroid withdrawal.

Conclusions

This case report addresses the different mechanisms of adrenal damage due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and its natural evolution with potential recovery. This should encourage clinicians to evaluate the real necessity for lifelong corticosteroid substitution in such a condition.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Jaafar et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

【 图 表 】

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