Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and recurrent thrombosis in pregnancy. A case report.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thromboembolism calls for an immediate substitution of the heparin with other potent anticoagulants, such as coumarin derivatives. The occurrence of this adverse effect in pregnancy poses an additional dilemma because the use of coumarin derivatives is not acceptable during pregnancy, while other medications may not be as effective. In a pregnant patient treated with mucous sodium heparin for deep vein thrombosis, recurrent heparin-induced thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurred. Replacing the heparin with a different brand of the same drug resulted in reversal of the DIC and in clinical improvement. If severe heparin-induced thrombosis occurs in a patient in whom anticoagulation with other drugs is contraindicated, substituting one brand of heparin for another could be of value.