Heparin-related thrombocytopenia and adrenal hemorrhagic necrosis following aortic surgery.

Adrenal hemorrhagic necrosis is one of several possible complications of heparin-related thrombocytopenia. We report a case in which adrenal hemorrhagic necrosis developed after aortofemoral bypass. This serious complication remains difficult to diagnose in the absence of a high index of suspicion. A routine search for this condition in the setting of heparin-related thrombocytopenia is essential since a favorable outcome is dependent on early diagnosis.