ABSTRACT

An 85-year-old woman suffered a fall, as a result of which she fractured her left neck of femur and was admitted to the orthopaedic ward. She underwent a successful operation. Since her medical history included hypertension and chronic renal impairment, her team were aware that low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH, e.g. enoxaparin) should be avoided; hence heparin was used postoperatively to prevent thrombus formation. Four days later the patient is complaining of a nosebleed that does not seem to be stopping.