{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,2]],"date-time":"2026-02-02T16:54:49Z","timestamp":1770051289864,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,2]],"date-time":"2026-02-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769990400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Cardiovasc. Med."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but severe complication of heparin therapy, characterized by a significant reduction in platelet count and a paradoxical prothrombotic state, which increases the risks of both arterial and venous thrombosis. This case report describes a 58-year-old male patient with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who developed acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) following successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite initial successful revascularization, the patient experienced recurrent chest pain, and HIT was clinically suspected based on a significant drop in platelet count and the 4Ts scoring system, though confirmatory anti-PF4\/heparin antibody testing was unavailable at our institution. Treatment with corticosteroids was initiated; however, following transfer to another hospital, the patient received platelet transfusion\u2014a contraindicated intervention in HIT\u2014and subsequently succumbed to a fatal arrhythmic event. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of suspected HIT in PCI patients, where it may mimic other post-procedural complications such as stent thrombosis. It underscores the critical need for vigilant monitoring of platelet counts, timely access to confirmatory diagnostic testing, immediate initiation of guideline-recommended non-heparin anticoagulants, and seamless communication during inter-hospital transfers to prevent potentially harmful interventions and improve patient outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fcvm.2026.1650624","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,2]],"date-time":"2026-02-02T06:31:07Z","timestamp":1770013867000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Case Report: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia leads to acute myocardial infarction post-PCI in multi-vessel coronary artery 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