Background Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious adverse drug reaction that increases patient’s risk of developing venous or arterial thromboembolism, which maybe life-threatening. The frequency varies from 0.5% to 5%, depending on population studies. This condition will worsen especially in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Case A 52 years old woman was reported swelling and decreased saturation of the lower extremities, with a history of Heparin therapy for 5 days before being referred to Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan. Platelet count on admission day was 225.000/µl but dropped into 64.000/µl in the 7th post heparin treatment day. Doppler examination showed multiple thrombosis in deep femoral vein and and sign of stenosis peripheral artery. Echocardiography showed intracardiac thrombus without sign of acute pulmonary embolism. Two days after discontinuation of heparin, the platelet still tend to be low but in the next days, its count increases to within normal range. Due to the high risk of embolism, it was decided to place a vena cava filter prior to surgery for thrombus evacuation. Discussion This case demonstrates several interesting aspects of HIT, including thrombotic complication, limitation tools to support diagnosis of HIT, how to prepare this patient into surgical management, and the last is placing a IVCF prior to surgical thrombus evacuation and thrombectomy to reduce the risk of thromboemboli before surgical treatment. This is the first time procedure in Medan for placing a vena cava filter in a DVT patients who have contraindication to heparin administration.

Background Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious adverse drug reaction that increases patient’s risk of developing venous or arterial thromboembolism, which maybe life-threatening. The frequency varies from 0.5% to 5%, depending on population studies. This condition will worsen especially in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Case A 52 years old woman was reported swelling and decreased saturation of the lower extremities, with a history of Heparin therapy for 5 days before being referred to Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan. Platelet count on admission day was 225.000/µl but dropped into 64.000/µl in the 7th post heparin treatment day. Doppler examination showed multiple thrombosis in deep femoral vein and and sign of stenosis peripheral artery. Echocardiography showed intracardiac thrombus without sign of acute pulmonary embolism. Two days after discontinuation of heparin, the platelet still tend to be low but in the next days, its count increases to within normal range. Due to the high risk of embolism, it was decided to place a vena cava filter prior to surgery for thrombus evacuation. Discussion This case demonstrates several interesting aspects of HIT, including thrombotic complication, limitation tools to support diagnosis of HIT, how to prepare this patient into surgical management, and the last is placing a IVCF prior to surgical thrombus evacuation and thrombectomy to reduce the risk of thromboemboli before surgical treatment. This is the first time procedure in Medan for placing a vena cava filter in a DVT patients who have contraindication to heparin administration.