Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia as the cause of gluteus muscle necrosis: a case study describing the benefits of multidisciplinary physical and psychosocial interventions.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, an increasingly recognized aspect of heparin therapy, occurs in 0.6% to 30% of patients receiving heparin. Approximately 1% of those patients develop the more severe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia II, also called white clot syndrome, in which synchronous venous and arterial thrombi impede blood flow in central vessels. Mortality (as high as 25%) and morbidity are related to the site and extent of thrombi formation. Following vascular surgery, one patient manifested an unusual consequence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia II when thrombotic blockage of the vessels supplying the bilateral gluteus maximus and minimus muscles resulted in tissue ischemia and death. Supporting the patient through numerous complications and managing the extensive wound healing process required multidisciplinary skills and innovative technology, including use of vacuum-assisted closure therapy, platelet-derived growth factors, parenteral and enteral nutritional support, and spirit-restoring favorite foods. This article describes the patient's life-threatening and long-lasting effects from an allergic reaction to heparin therapy. In addition to information about the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, this article also describes management of the wound and other aspects of care and comforting that occurred over a 9-month hospitalization.