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A Sign of Potentially Lethal Complications

Lawrence E. Levine, MD; Joel E. Bernstein, MD; Keyoumars Soltani, MD; Maria M. Medenica, MD; Cheuk W. Yung, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1983;119(5):400-403.

Abstract
• Skin necrosis is a rare complication of heparin administration that is usually localized to injection sites. A 32-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic patient, receiving intravenous (IV) and low-dose heparin sodium therapy, had cutaneous necrosis in areas distant to the sites of injection. Prior to the onset of cutaneous lesions, thrombocytopenia developed in the patient that may have been heparin induced. Heparin may induce the production of platelet aggregating immunoglobulins that predispose persons who are sensitive to the drug to thrombocytopenia, skin necrosis, and thrombotic events. Obesity, diabetes, and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics seem to increase the risk of such complications. Cutaneous necrosis secondary to heparin administration may serve as a warning of the potentially lethal complications of IV use. In patients in whom skin necrosis or thrombocytopenia develops, heparin therapy should be discontinued and anticoagulation with an oral agent should be considered.

(Arch Dermatol 1983;119:400-403)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 31, 1982.

Reprints not available.

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