Walker modification for ventilator-assisted individuals. Case report.

A case is presented of a 53-yr-old ambulatory ventilator-dependent individual who demonstrated that functional ambulation could be possible with a modified rolling walker. The patient used intermittent positive pressure ventilation delivered by noninvasive methods 24 h a day. For potentially ambulatory ventilator users, intensive rehabilitation and the use of a modified walker can improve medical, psychological and social status and permit the resumption of vocational activities.

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome in a rehabilitation patient.

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HATT) syndrome is a severe complication of heparin therapy. Since patients admitted for rehabilitation are at high risk for deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, prophylactic doses of subcutaneous heparin are frequently used. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of heparin exposure, admitted to a comprehensive rehabilitation program for management of severe back pain.