Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine
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We report two cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), in patients who required anticoagulation for extracorporeal procedures (haemodialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass) one associated with recurrent thrombosis of the artificial circuits. Resolution of thrombocytopenia and successful anticoagulation were achieved using a low molecular weight heparinoid (LMWH) Org 10172. Anticoagulation was monitored using estimations of plasma anti-factor Xa activity. These cases demonstrate that LMWH provides safe and effective anticoagulation in patients in whom unfractionated heparin has caused HIT.
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Coeliac plexus block is a safe procedure with relatively few side-effects. We report two cases of persistent severe diarrhoea following coeliac plexus block and explore the possible reasons for this previously unrecognised side-effect. We postulate that somatostatin analogue may be useful as treatment for diarrhoea following neurolytic coeliac plexus block that is unresponsive to conventional anti-diarrhoeal agents.