Addison's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Addison's Disease, including details on chronic adrenal insufficiency, treatment, causes, medication.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia associated with bilateral adrenal hemorrhage after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Bakaeen FG, Walkes JC, Reardon MJ

Department of Surgery, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a well-recognized syndrome associated with thrombosis and multiple potential clinical sequelae. We report a case of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, a known but rare complication of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia complicating a routine coronary artery bypass surgery. Thrombocytopenia, abdominal pain, and signs of adrenal insufficiency in the context of heparin treatment should raise suspicion of this unusual complication.

Published 30 March 2005 in Ann Thorac Surg, 79(4): 1388-90.
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