Rivaroxaban for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis in a patient undergoing artificial hip arthroplasty: A case report.

BACKGROUND

Anticoagulation treatment after lower limb surgery is one of the key methods to avoid thrombosis, and low-molecular-weight heparin is the treatment that is most frequently used in clinical practice. But one uncommon side effect of low-molecular-weight heparin is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which can develop into thrombosis if not caught early or managed incorrectly.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a case of a patient who underwent hip arthroplasty and experienced thrombocytopenia due to HIT on the 9 d following the application of low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation. We did not diagnose HIT in time and applied 1 unit of platelets to the patient, which led to thrombosis. Luckily, the patient recovered following effective and timely surgery and treatment with rivaroxaban.

CONCLUSION

Patients using low-molecular-weight heparin after lower limb surgery need to have their platelet counts regularly checked. If HIT develops, platelet treatment should be given with caution.