Published January 29, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

TROMBOEMBOLISMO PULMONAR MASIVO COMPLICADO POR TROMBOCITOPENIA INDUCIDA POR HEPARINA TIPO II: RESOLUCIÓN EXITOSA CON DABIGATRÁN

Description

Tipo de artículo: Caso clínico

La trombocitopenia inducida por heparina tipo II (HIT-II) es una complicación inmunomediada grave asociada a alto riesgo de trombosis, incluso con recuentos plaquetarios críticamente bajos. Su asociación con tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo (TEP) constituye una urgencia vital con elevada mortalidad, que exige diagnóstico inmediato y suspensión temprana de heparina. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 62 años, sin antecedentes trombóticos, sometida a artroplastia total de cadera y bajo profilaxis con enoxaparina, quien desarrolló deterioro brusco con disnea severa, síncope, hipotensión y caída marcada del recuento plaquetario (298.000/µL a 49.000/µL). 

 El ecocardiograma evidenció dilatación aguda del ventrículo derecho y trombo móvil intracavitario, y la tomografía torácica confirmó TEP masivo bilateral. El puntaje clínico 4T (8 puntos) fue compatible con alta probabilidad de HIT-II. Ante trombocitopenia severa y falta de alternativas parenterales, se inició dabigatrán tras suspender heparina, logrando recuperación plaquetaria y estabilización hemodinámica en cinco días, con resolución del trombo y posterior transición a warfarina. El estudio genético mostró mutación heterocigota de protrombina G20210A. Este caso resalta la importancia de vigilancia temprana del recuento plaquetario y la utilidad de dabigatrán como alternativa cuando otras opciones no están disponibles

Abstract (English)

Article type: Clinical case

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II (HIT-II) is a severe immune-mediated complication associated with a high risk of thrombosis, even in the setting of profound thrombocytopenia. When complicated by massive pulmonary embolism (PE), it becomes a life-threatening emergency with considerable mortality, requiring rapid diagnosis and immediate discontinuation of heparin. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with no prior thrombotic history who underwent total hip arthroplasty under prophylaxis with enoxaparin and subsequently developed abrupt clinical deterioration characterized by severe dyspnea, syncope, hypotension, and a marked drop in platelet count (from 298,000/µL to 49,000/µL). 

Echocardiography revealed acute right ventricular dilation with a mobile intracardiac thrombus, and computed tomography confirmed massive bilateral PE. A 4Ts score of 8 indicated high pretest probability of HIT-II. Due to severe thrombocytopenia and lack of access to parenteral non-heparin anticoagulants, dabigatran was initiated after discontinuing heparin, leading to progressive platelet recovery and hemodynamic stabilization within five days, with complete resolution of the intracardiac thrombus and subsequent transition to warfarin. Genetic testing revealed heterozygous prothrombin G20210A mutation. This case highlights the importance of early platelet monitoring during heparin exposure and supports dabigatran as a viable therapeutic alternative when other agents are unavailable.

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Additional details

Additional titles

Translated title (English)
MASSIVE PULMONARY THROMBOEMBOLISM COMPLICATED BY HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA TYPE II: SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION WITH DABIGATRAN

Identifiers

ISSN
2530-5468

Dates

Collected
2025-11-20
manuscrito recibido
Accepted
2026-01-08
evaluación doble ciego
Available
2026-01-29
publicación en numero de la revista

Software

References

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