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Heparin-induced priapism

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 13, pages 357–359 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Heparin-induced priapism constitutes a special form of pharmaco-induced prolonged erection, but the pathophysiological principles are not yet definitely clear. Heparin-induced antiplatelet-antibodies may lead to the aggregation of thrombocytes and thus alter the penile blood flow leading to low-flow priapism. Alternatively, this condition may be explained by initial high-flow priapism that later turns into ischemic priapism. The question remains whether hemorrhage with subsequent organisation of the hematoma and late fibrosis constitutes a pathogenetic factor. Besides this pathogenetic discussion, this paper presents the differential diagnosis of priapism as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Germany

    Th Bschleipfer & RA Pust

  2. Department of Urology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany

    EW Hauck, Th Diemer & W Weidner

  3. Department of Pathology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

    M Bitzer & ChJ Kirkpatrick

Authors
  1. Th Bschleipfer
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  2. EW Hauck
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  3. Th Diemer
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  4. M Bitzer
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  5. ChJ Kirkpatrick
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  6. RA Pust
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  7. W Weidner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to EW Hauck.

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Bschleipfer, T., Hauck, E., Diemer, T. et al. Heparin-induced priapism. Int J Impot Res 13, 357–359 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900759

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900759

Keywords

  • pathophysiology
  • fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa
  • priapism
  • heparin

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