Protamine is a protein mainly used to reverse anticoagulant effects of heparin during cardiac or vascular surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Adverse events after protamine administration are rare but if they occur they can be catastrophic. Based on a case report with an elective cardiac surgery patient with known allergy to fish, we discuss the related events and risk factors for an adverse reaction after protamine. The patient management and its outcome are presented.
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.