[Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a case of persistent thrombocytopenia]

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is rare. It should be considered if there is a reduction of at least 40% in the number of platelets and/or a level100,000/mm3 in any patients who have received heparin in the previous 100 days. On stopping heparin, the rise in platelets is classically rapid, and normal levels are usually obtained in under 7 days. We report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which was marked by a severe thrombocytopenia that only returned to normal 19 days after stopping heparin, in a patient treated initially with non-fractionated heparin for a pulmonary embolism secondary to an extensive deep venous thrombosis of the right lower limb.