Thrombocytopenia and thrombosis: a double-edged sword

• Published in: Clinical rheumatology Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 587 - 590
• Main Authors: Nyo, Myat Tun Lin, Kalla, Asgar Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.04.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Antiphospholipid Syndrome - complications; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Case Based Review; Connective Tissue Diseases - complications; Female; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Rheumatology; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - diagnostic imaging; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - etiology; Thrombocytopenia - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Thrombocytopenia; Undifferentiated connective tissue disease; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Mixed connective tissue disease; Thrombosis; Antiphospholipid syndrome
• ISSN: 0770-3198; 1434-9949
• DOI: 10.1007/s10067-013-2416-y

Severe thrombocytopenia with bleeding associated with a life-threatening thrombotic manifestation in the setting of antiphospholipid syndrome is a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the clinician. Hemorrhage is a less common complication than thrombosis in patients with APS, although severe thrombocytopenia can sometimes result in bleeding. There are no evidence-based guidelines regarding the management of a patient with severe thrombocytopenia associated with a major thrombotic manifestation. In this case report, we review the literature reporting the difficulties in management of such patient.