Abstract
We report the unusual complication of focal necrotizing skin lesions accompanied by moderate thrombocytopenia in a female patient undergoing thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin after total knee arthroplasty. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was suspected and confirmed using the heparin-induced platelet activation assay. The skin lesions improved gradually after the discontinuation of heparin application. In addition to the description of this exceptionally rare adverse effect of low-molecular-weight heparin, a brief discussion of previously reported cases is provided.
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Plath, J., Schulze, R., Barz, D. et al. Necrotizing skin lesions induced by low-molecular-weight heparin after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 116, 443–445 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00434012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00434012