Severe Thrombocytopenia in a Patient with Submassive Pulmonary Embolism and Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: to Lyse or Not to Lyse?

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated adverse reaction to heparin which can cause life-threatening venous as well as arterial thrombosis. HIT-driven thrombosis is associated with very high morbidity and mortality. Patients with HIT are also at increased risk of bleeding due to concomitant use of non-heparin anticoagulant, especially in patients with profound thrombocytopenia. We present a case of a 69-year-old female who...