Low Molecular Weight Heparin-Induced Liver Toxicity

The authors report two cases of hepatotoxicity induced by low molecular weight heparin. A 26‐year‐old woman and a 33‐year‐old man were treated with low molecular weight heparin for pulmonary embolism and cerebral infarction, respectively. They both developed derangement in liver function tests a few days after commencement of the low molecular weight heparin. The derangement in liver function tests was associated with a decreased serum complement 3 activity. Their liver functions recovered over a period of 2 to 3 months after low molecular weight heparin was stopped. Liver biopsy in the woman demonstrated balloon degeneration with scattered foci of hepatocytic necrosis, suggesting a complementmediated hepatocellular damage.