"Heparin Killed My Father"

Portland, ORDebbie's father passed away in July. His death certificate states that a severe heparin allergic reaction was the secondary cause of death. But Debbie believes the drug was the primary cause of death and wants to know why his autopsy report says that the pathology tests are incomplete. "It's like the VA hospital is hiding something," says Debbie.

"My father had prostate surgery a year ago and he was given heparin then as well," explains Debbie. "The doctors explained it is always used and given to everyone no matter what kind of surgery you have. The prostate surgery was successful—he had a clean bill of health, but he never fully recovered. He had no energy but he wasn't ill; we certainly never expected him to die.

"I was suspicious about the heparin from that surgery, then he was hospitalized in July and had more of the drug; now I am almost certain heparin caused his death.

"In July the doctors found multiple brain lesions. They didn't know why because cancer tests came back negative. They did a biopsy and after surgery he had a severe reaction to heparin which destroyed his platelet count—it was down in the teens. The hospital doctors told us that heparin did this. When they tried to put his IV in, he was forming blood clots around the IV site. They were afraid he would have a stroke, but on the other hand he couldn't have any surgery because of the platelet count.

"My father was in intensive care for six weeks after the biopsy; again, the doctors told us this was due to the heparin...

"My father was a commercial tile setter and he worked all his life up until he was 70. I remember him as very strong and healthy and longevity runs in the family. He was 72 when he passed away; we thought he would easily last 10 more years.

"We had a meeting at the hospital and the doctors just kept telling us they didn't know why he was so ill or why he had these brain lesions. They are specialists but they don't have all the answers. When the meeting was over, an RN pulled me aside and advised me to go to Patient Advocacy at the VA hospital and register a complaint.

"He died just a few days later, before I was able to do that, so now I hope to register a complaint with a lawyer.

"I wasn't suspicious about heparin until I had to get power of attorney for my father before he died. I told the lawyer that my father had a severe reaction to heparin. The lawyer looked at his assistant and said, 'Are you getting all this down?' He did. Then I started researching heparin online and read about several heparin deaths. And so many people have become seriously ill from this drug. I've read about a few lawsuits and now I've heard enough. My dad wanted to die at home and I wasn't able to do that either."