Concurrence of anaphylaxis and acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient with heparin-induced antibodies

Abstract We report the occurrence of acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a patient with anaphylaxis that began immediately after an intravenous bolus dose of unfractionated heparin. This case report is the first to document the concurrence of these 2 reactions to heparin. An abrupt fall in platelet count was documented immediately after the anaphylactic response. Study results for antibodies characteristic of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia were positive in 2 assays: serotonin release assay and heparin platelet factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patient's antibody was exclusively immunoglobulin G. Any explanation for the relationship between the antibody response observed and the histamine release remains speculative. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:561-5)