Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Suffers Fatal Bleeding While on Heparin

ByJoseph O'Neill

Updated on

Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient Suffers Fatal Bleeding While on Heparin

Case Overview

This case involves a female patient who died from complications following the administration of Heparin. The patient had received a flow cytometry test and bone-marrow transplant several years prior to the incident in question in order to treat a form of leukemia. Although the transplantation successfully treated the patient’s leukemia, she suffered from graft versus host syndrome. Shortly before the incident in question, the patient had presented to the hospital with a case of pneumonia, was treated, and was ready for discharge when she began experiencing back pain. An MRI revealed a vertebral fracture, and corrective surgery was ordered. As preparation for the operation, the patient was prescribed Heparin, in addition to the Coumadin she had been on for management of an unrelated pre-existing condition. Shortly after the Heparin was administered, the hematology lab reported that the patient’s anticoagulant numbers were abnormal. Despite these warnings, and despite the fact that the patient had been complaining of dizziness for some time, no action was taken. Several hours after the Heparin was first administered, a CT scan revealed extensive internal bleeding. The patient eventually coded, and slipped into a coma for six months before she passed away. It was alleged that the patient’s doctors deviated from the standard of care when administering Heparin, and were directly responsible for the patient’s death.

Questions to the Hematology expert and their responses

Q1

Do you routinely treat patients similar to the one described in the case?

I consult about bleeding and thrombotic problems in patients who have all types of diagnoses including hematologic malignancies and bone marrow transplant patients as that is my sub-specialty focus.

Q2

Have you ever had a patient develop the outcome described in the case?

I have seen patients who bleed while on anticoagulants whether it was due to the anticoagulant alone, or due to additional complicating factors, and whether the anticoagulant was therapeutic or sub-therapeutic.

Q3

Do you believe there may have been a deviation in the standard of care that contributed to this patient's poor outcome?

Anticoagulant therapy must always be carefully monitored, and patients with a prior bone marrow transplant should warrant an extra degree of attention when anticoagulants are used.

About the expert

This highly qualified Hematology expert completed her undergraduate degree at MIT before receiving her MD at SUNY. She completed a clinical Fellowship in Hematology and a Research Fellowship in Hemostasis & Thrombosis. She is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Hematology. This expert is a member of numerous prestigious professional organizations including the American Society of Hematology and the International Society of Thrombosis & Hemostasis. She serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the American Journal Hematology. She is widely published in medical literature . This expert currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Hematology at a major medical school in NYC.

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About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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