Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41676175›Full record

ArticleAME case reports2026

Thromboembolism related to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during Impella support after cardiac surgery for free wall rupture: a case report.

Atsutaka Aratame, Masanori Sakaguchi, Yosuke Sumii, Toshio Baba

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In one paragraph

Article in AME case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Atsutaka AratameDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bell-Land General Hospital, Osaka, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4321-2762
Masanori SakaguchiDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bell-Land General Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Yosuke SumiiDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bell-Land General Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Toshio BabaDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bell-Land General Hospital, Osaka, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is a severe complication of acute myocardial infarction that frequently leads to cardiac tamponade and circulatory collapse. Prompt surgical repair and mechanical circulatory support are essential for patient survival. The Impella device provides left ventricular unloading and is increasingly used after cardiac surgeries. However, it carries the risks of bleeding and thromboembolism. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) may be an important contributor to thromboembolic risk. Diagnosing HIT in an acute postoperative setting using the Impella support is particularly challenging. Herein, we present a case of thromboembolism associated with HIT following Impella support after surgical repair of an LVFWR. Case Description: A 72-year-old man presented with chest pain. During preparation for percutaneous coronary intervention, the patient developed cardiac arrest and was resuscitated using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). Coronary angiography revealed left circumflex artery occlusion, and echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion. Surgical repair was performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Intraoperative findings revealed left ventricular rupture in the circumflex artery area. Due to severe ventricular dysfunction, ECMO was continued, and IABP was initially chosen. On postoperative day (POD) 1, after stabilization of bleeding, the IABP was upgraded to Impella for ventricular unloading. ECMO was discontinued on POD 3, and Impella was maintained until POD 9. After Impella was removed, angiography revealed occlusion of both iliac arteries. Bilateral surgical thrombectomy was performed. A latex immunoturbidimetric assay confirmed HIT antibody positivity. Anticoagulation therapy was subsequently switched from heparin to argatroban. Conclusions: This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing HIT in patients on Impella support in the acute postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Clinicians should be vigilant for Impella-associated thromboembolism and understand its possible mechanisms to ensure appropriate diagnosis and prevention.

Indexed as

cardiac surgerycase reportheparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)Impellathromboembolism

Identifiers

PMID41676175
PMCPMC12885839

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