Prophylactic unfractionated heparin and hemorrhage in neurocritically ill underweight patients: A case series and review of the literature.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-18-2020

Publication Title

American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Abstract

PURPOSE: Three cases of major bleeding associated with thromboprophylactic unfractionated heparin (UFH) therapy in underweight neurocritically ill patients are reported.

SUMMARY: Three underweight patients (body mass index of300 units/kg/d). Additionally, hemorrhages were associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, which declined following heparin discontinuation. The major bleeds following UFH administration included an acute on chronic subdural hematoma, acute rectus sheath hematoma, and cerebellar hematoma. Stabilization of the subdural hematoma was achieved without the use of protamine and the patient was discharged in stable condition. The other 2 patients expired secondary to their hemorrhagic events. Naranjo nomogram scores for the patients indicated that heparin was the probable cause of bleed in 2 cases and a possible cause in 1 case.

CONCLUSION: Three major hemorrhages developed following the administration of UFH. Underweight patients with neurologic injury may require increased clinical vigilance, reduced doses, and pharmacodynamic monitoring to improve safety outcomes associated with thromboprophylaxis.

Volume

77

Issue

19

First Page

1571

Last Page

1577

DOI

10.1093/ajhp/zxaa225

ISSN

1535-2900

PubMed ID

32815544

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