A 63-year-old man is recovering after hip replacement surgery and has been receiving unfractionated heparin. On hospital day 6 he develops pain and swelling in the left calf. Laboratory studies show that his platelet count has fallen from 260,000/mm3 to 95,000/mm3. Which of the following best describes the pathogenesis of this condition?
- A)Deficiency of ADAMTS13 leading to microthrombi
- B)Autoantibodies against factor VIII causing prolonged PTT
- C)Autoimmune destruction of GpIIb/IIIa in the spleen
- D)Direct marrow suppression by heparin
- E)IgG antibodies against the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex causing platelet activation and thrombosisGABARITO
Explicação
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is the correct answer because the platelet count fell 5 to 10 days after heparin exposure and the patient developed thrombosis rather than bleeding. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →