Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Transradial Access Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Published on: September 20, 2020
Anticoagulant-induced pseudothrombocytopenia occurring after transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular
Takeshi Yoshikawa1, Kayo Nakanishi, Tsutomu Maruta
1Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan. yoshikaw@med.kobe-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is the in vitro phenomenon of anticoagulant-activated platelet agglutination that results in spuriously low platelet counts. We report the case of a 65-year-old man with EDTA- and sodium citrate-dependent PTCP occurring after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to hepatitis C cirrhosis. Invasion of the portal and hepatic veins by HCC formed severe trans-tumoral arterio-venous shunts that were effectively treated by TAE. Two days after the therapy, PTCP was seen on blood count and continued for 4 months. The patient received unnecessary treatment for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) until the diagnosis of PTCP was established. PTCP is a rare complication but should be considered after TAE for HCC; lack of recognition may lead the physician to misdiagnosis and patient mismanagement.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
