Spontaneous splenic rupture due to subcutaneous heparin therapy.

Abstract

We report a case of spontaneous splenic rupture in a 59-year-old woman who was receiving 15,000 units of heparin subcutaneously (s.c. ) twice a day for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. Her past medical history included multiple DVT, pulmonary emboli, and ovarian cancer stage III-C with known ascites. The diagnosis of splenic rupture was initially missed because of the ascites. This case illustrates both a previously undescribed complication of s.c. heparin therapy and a failure of ultrasound diagnosis. We emphasize the unique presentation, difficulty in diagnosis, and need for early surgical involvement to ensure the most favorable outcome.

• Authors: S J Weiss, T Smith, E Laurin, D H Wisner
• Journal: The Journal of emergency medicine (J Emerg Med) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 421-6 (May 2000) ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10802418 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Heparin

Topics

• Anticoagulants (adverse effects)
• Ascites (complications)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Emergency Treatment (methods)
• Female
• Hematocrit
• Heparin (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Ovarian Neoplasms (complications)
• Peritonitis (diagnosis)
• Pulmonary Embolism (complications)
• Rupture, Spontaneous
• Splenic Rupture (blood, chemically induced, diagnosis, surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Venous Thrombosis (complications, drug therapy)