[Femoral artery thrombosis associated with heparin-induced thrombopenia].

We report a case of acute thrombosis of the common femoral artery which occurred on the tenth day of postoperative prophylactic heparin therapy. Platelet count was 14,000/mm3 at the time of the acute event. Cessation of heparin administration resulted in progressive normalization of the platelet count. Iliofemoral thrombectomy, followed by popliteal thromboembolectomy, allowed successful recanalization of the occluded arteries, after failure of local thrombolysis with low-dose streptokinase. The pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia associated with thromboembolic complications are discussed.