A 75-year-old Caucasian man presented with asymptomatic acute ren

A 75-year-old Caucasian man presented with asymptomatic acute renal failure on May 14, 2012. The patient reported a history of factor V Leiden, severe coronary atherosclerotic disease, and chronic renal failure because of a diabetic nephropathy. He BAY 73-4506 ic50 had no history of thrombosis. At admission, his blood analysis showed elevated creatine kinase and a normal Libraries platelet count of 225 × 109/L. A computed tomographic scan revealed dilated ureters with hydronephrosis, so a Foley catheter was inserted to relieve the obstruction. During the hospitalization, the patient developed cardiac issues. In this context,

he was stented and treated with therapeutic intravenous heparin from May 17th to 22nd. Subsequently, the heparin was changed for prophylactic subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin (Fragmin). Owing to

new cardiac deterioration while on Fragmin, the treatment was then reverted to therapeutic intravenous heparin on July 10th. Three to 4 days after the reintroduction of heparin, the patient complained of burning sensation to his urinary meatus, scrotal pain, and erythema of the glans. Physical examination revealed a purple, indurated, and necrotic penis painful on palpation (Fig. 1). The pain lasted only a few hours. The external genitals were swollen, but the PF-2341066 penis was not engorged. New blood analyses were made, and the patient underwent penile aspiration. The platelet count reached a nadir of 88 × 109/L on July 15th. This represents a drop in platelet count of 61%. Heparin-pf4 antibodies were measured and showed a result

of 107%. The penile blood gas analysis revealed a pH of 6.88, a pCO2 of 149 mm Hg, and a HCO3 of 33 mm Hg, which is compatible with severe acidosis Phosphatidylinositol diacylglycerol-lyase of the penis. Doppler sonography of the penis showed absence of blood circulation in both the cavernous bodies and the spongious body. The heparin was then stopped and replaced by a direct thrombin inhibitor (Argatroban). The disease progressed over the next days. After discussion at that moment, the patient refused only palliative care. The patient underwent a total penectomy and a perineal urethrostomy. Unfortunately, the patient died 6 days after surgery secondary to cardiac and renal failure and possibly surgical complications. Pathology demonstrated extensive hemorrhagic necrosis of the penis (Fig. 2). In this case, HIT is the most likely cause of the acute penile necrosis. HIT is a common complication of pharmacologic heparin administration. The pathogenesis of HIT involves the formation of complexes between heparin and platelet factor.3 and 4 Antibodies are generated against these complexes and cause a hypercoagulable state. HIT usually develops between 5 and 14 days after the beginning of heparin therapy. However, if the patient has already been exposed to heparin in the past, it can develop before 5 days.

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