A complicated case of pulmonary embolism in a patient with renal failure

Abstract

We describe a case of pulmonary embolism with instable hemodynamics in a patient with renal failure; the case is complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Renal failure has a high prevalence in hospitalized patients and is a restriction on administration of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and fondaparinux. HIT is a potentially life-threatening complication, therefore a precocious diagnosis is essential. Therapy consists in the immediate stop of heparin’s administration and in the administration of non-heparin antithrombotic drugs.

Keywords

• Pulmonary embolism
• Renal failure
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
• Fibrinolysis
• Caval filter