Hemarthrosis associated with sodium warfarin therapy

Spontaneous atraumatic heparin-induced hemarthrosis in a patient treated for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Hemarthrosis secondary to heparin use is a scarce event, especially in patients with no underlying thrombophilia or platelet disorders. Although previously associated with thrombophilia, platelet disorders, or secondary to fibrinolytic therapy, to date, there are very few reported cases in contemporary literature for heparin-induced hemarthrosis. In this article, we report a case of left shoulder joint inferior subluxation secondary to heparin-induced hemarthrosis in an 81-year-old male with an extensive cardiac history and multiple comorbidities. This case report depicts a rare event and discusses its clinical implications aiding healthcare professionals in an early diagnosis and timely management.

Management of Haemarthrosis in Patients On Oral Anticoagulants

Aims

Our aim was to investigate the management of patients who were admitted to hospital with an acute haemarthrosis whilst taking oral anticoagulants, and highlight the outcomes of different management strategies.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all orthopaedic admissions over a 42-month period (January 2015–July 2018) to the Orthopaedic Department of a London District General Hospital. All patients admitted with a spontaneous joint haemarthrosis and concomitant use of oral anticoagulants was identified. Anonymised data was placed on a secure trust database.

Findings

A total of 31 patients were included. 22 patients (71%) had their anticoagulant temporarily held during admission. 9 patients (32%) had their anticoagulation reversed with 10 mg of vitamin K. 5 patients had their haemarthrosis aspirated either on admission or during their hospital stay. The overall mean length of stay in patients with a haemarthrosis was 7.0 days. The mean length of stay in patients who had their anticoagulation held was 8.6 days. In contrast, patients who continued taking their anticoagulation were found to have an average length of stay of 2.3 days. No patients suffered a thrombotic event in the 60 days following discharge. No adverse events were recorded following joint aspiration.

Conclusion

There is currently no consensus on the management of haemarthrosis in patients on oral anticoagulants. Continuing the anticoagulants did not increase length of hospital stay. Further research may focus on assessing the effect of management adjuncts on patient outcomes and their cost effectiveness to aid the development of local and/or national guidelines.

PROMISCUOUS 2.0: a resource for drug-repositioning

The development of new drugs for diseases is a time-consuming, costly and risky process. In recent years, many drugs could be approved for other indications. This repurposing process allows to effectively reduce development costs, time and, ultimately, save patients’ lives. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, drug repositioning has gained widespread attention as a fast opportunity to find potential treatments against the newly emerging disease. In order to expand this field to researchers with varying levels of experience, we made an effort to open it to all users (meaning novices as well as experts in cheminformatics) by significantly improving the entry-level user experience. The browsing functionality can be used as a global entry point to collect further information with regards to small molecules (∼1 million), side-effects (∼110 000) or drug-target interactions (∼3 million). The drug-repositioning tab for small molecules will also suggest possible drug-repositioning opportunities to the user by using structural similarity measurements for small molecules using two different approaches. Additionally, using information from the Promiscuous 2.0 Database, lists of candidate drugs for given indications were precomputed, including a section dedicated to potential treatments for COVID-19. All the information is interconnected by a dynamic network-based visualization to identify new indications for available compounds. Promiscuous 2.0 is unique in its functionality and is publicly available at http://bioinformatics.charite.de/promiscuous2.

Clopidogrel-induced hemarthrosis following knee replacement

Background Clopidogrel is an adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist used in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease to reduce the incidence of ischemic events. Case Presentation A 62-year-old woman developed a spontaneous hemarthrosis of her left knee following clopidogrel treatment. To date, no case of spontaneous hemarthrosis following clopidogrel monotherapy was reported. Prompt aspiration after discontinuing clopidogrel by conservative management can assist early diagnosis and prevent further damage to the joint. The assessment of the causality of the event was carried out via Naranjo Causality Assessment Scale. A score of 5 was reported for this patient, indicating clopidogrel as a probable cause of this reaction. Conclusion We conclude that spontaneous hemarthrosis is a possible complication following clopidogrel therapy and it needs assessment when appropriate clinical symptoms (e.g. intra-articular effusion, pain) are present.

Anticoagulant-induced hemarthrosis presenting as anterior shoulder dislocation

This is a case of nontraumatic shoulder pain initially diagnosed on x-ray as an anterior dislocation. The patient was on anticoagulants and, in actuality, had severe hemarthrosis that caused the subluxation. Attempts to reduce the dislocation in this situation might have resulted in worsening of the intra-articular bleed. There has been only 1 similar reported case in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2013 of a 53-year-old woman who was thought to have a nontraumatic anterior shoulder dislocation, and attempts were unsuccessful at reduction. Definitive therapy involved hemarthrosis aspiration. Others have reported spontaneous hemarthrosis due to anticoagulants; however, only 1 has reported an initial mistaken joint dislocation diagnosis. Nontraumatic hemarthrosis do occur in patients on anticoagulant therapy, and it is important to recognize that this can be misdiagnosed as a joint dislocation requiring reduction. In a patient who is on anticoagulants presenting with nontraumatic joint pain and anterior shoulder or possibly other dislocations on plain radiographs, it is pertinent to consider hemarthrosis.

Safety of arthrocentesis and joint injection in patients receiving anticoagulation at therapeutic levels

BACKGROUND

Arthrocentesis and joint injections are commonly performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Because of safety concerns, there is often reluctance to perform these procedures in patients who are receiving anticoagulation at therapeutic levels. This study was undertaken to determine the safety of arthrocentesis and joint injection performed by physicians from different disciplines in patients who are anticoagulated.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 640 arthrocentesis and joint injection procedures performed in 514 anticoagulated patients between 2001 and 2009. We assessed the incidence of early and late clinically significant bleeding in or around a joint, infection, and procedure-related pain. We further compared the incidence of these complications in 456 procedures performed in patients with an international normalized ratio 2.0 or greater and 184 procedures performed in patients with an international normalized ratio less than 2.0.

RESULTS

Only 1 procedure (0.2%) resulted in early, significant, clinical bleeding in the fully anticoagulated group. There was no statistically significant difference in early and late complications between patients who had procedures performed with an international normalized ratio 2.0 or greater and those whose anticoagulation was adjusted to an international normalized ratio less than 2.0.

CONCLUSION

Arthrocentesis and joint injections in patients receiving chronic warfarin therapy with therapeutic international normalized ratio are safe procedures. There does not seem to be a need for reducing the level of anticoagulation before procedures in these patients.

Acute knee haemarthrosis: a case report describing diagnosis and management for a patient on anticoagulation medication

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A 63-year-old woman was referred to physical therapy with a 3 day history of constant anterior left knee pain that was atraumatic in nature. The patient was taking anticoagulation medication for chronic atrial fibrillation. Her international normalized ratio (INR) was within normal limits when assessed 3 weeks prior to her initial physical therapy evaluation.

METHOD

Physical examination revealed an antalgic gait, moderate left knee effusion, limited painful knee range of motion, normal ligamentous testing and negative joint line or patellofemoral joint palpation. The patient was instructed in the use of a single-point cane, use of ice, positional comfort and relative rest from weight-bearing activities. Upon re-assessment 2 days later, the patient's knee pain and effusion had worsened despite compliance with day 1 instructions. Given that there was no clear mechanism of injury and the worsening nature of the disorder, the physical therapist discussed the case with the patient's physician, and immediate appointments for laboratory testing and potential knee aspiration were obtained.

RESULTS

Laboratory testing demonstrated that INR values had elevated to a supratherapeutic level of anticoagulation. Fluid from the patient's left knee was aspirated, revealing a haemarthrosis. The patient's symptoms immediately improved following aspiration. After suspending her anticoagulation medication dose for 1 day, her INR value returned to therapeutic range. She was symptom free within 3 weeks with physical therapy intervention and had remained symptom free at 1 year following the knee haemarthrosis.

CONCLUSION

We recommend that physical therapists screen all patients for whether or not they are taking anticoagulation medications, especially before implementation of manual therapy or therapeutic exercise interventions.

Spontaneous haemarthrosis causing anterior shoulder dislocation

Nontraumatic haemarthrosis secondary to anticoagulant therapy is a recognized clinical problem. The involved joints are usually large weight-bearing joints, particularly the knee. We describe a case of spontaneous haemarthrosis in a 53-year-old female patient, who had been started on anticoagulant drugs after a pulmonary embolism in the past (international normalized ratio on admission: 2.4). The patient presented with acute onset of severe shoulder pain with no history of trauma. Her shoulder showed radiological signs of anterior dislocation. Attempts to relocate her shoulder under intravenous sedation with midazolam were unsuccessful. The patient subsequently underwent aspiration of the shoulder joint and made full recovery after a course of physiotherapy. The case is unusual because it occurred in a previously healthy shoulder joint and because the bleeding caused the shoulder to appear clinically and radiologically anteriorly dislocated. No history of trauma was reported before presentation; the apparent dislocation was caused solely by spontaneous haemarthrosis. This case emphasizes that it is important to consider spontaneous haemarthrosis as a possible diagnosis in patients with no history of trauma, particularly in those on anticoagulant drugs, who present with what appears to be an anterior shoulder dislocation.

Arthritis in the intensive care unit

Acute arthritis in critically ill patients may be caused by local or systemic infection, by a flare of chronic joint disease such as rheumatoid or crystal-associated arthritis, or by less common entities such as hemarthrosis. Diagnosis requires analysis of synovial fluid, and appropriate treatment is based on its findings. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are usually necessary to prevent the significant morbidity associated with these conditions.

Potentiation of oral anticoagulation and hemarthrosis associated with nabumetone

Concomitant therapy with warfarin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is of concern due to the potential for increased bleeding. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may alter patient response to warfarin by pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic interactions. A man receiving long-term, stable warfarin therapy experienced a significant increase in international normalized ratio 1 week after nabumetone was added to his regimen. Despite prompt reduction of the warfarin dosage, he experienced hemarthrosis of his right knee. Previous reports suggested lack of interaction between nabumetone and warfarin. Caution and close monitoring are advisable when the two agents are administered concomitantly.

A prospective study of the safety of joint and soft tissue aspirations and injections in patients taking warfarin sodium

OBJECTIVE

To determine the safety of joint or soft tissue aspirations and injections in patients taking warfarin sodium.

METHODS

The outcome of 32 joint or soft tissue aspirations or injections in patients receiving stable doses of warfarin sodium was assessed through a standardized interview 4 weeks after the procedure. The primary outcome measure was significant joint or soft tissue hemorrhage, ascertained by patient-reported increases in swelling or warmth at the procedure site.

RESULTS

None of 32 procedures was complicated by joint or soft tissue hemorrhage reported by the patients, yielding, by the "rule of threes," a risk of significant hemorrhage of < 10% (with 95% certainty). Diagnostic information was obtained for 53% of aspirated sites (8 of 15) and therapeutic benefit was noted in 74% of corticosteroid-injected sites (17 of 23).

CONCLUSION

Joint or soft tissue injections and aspirations in selected patients taking warfarin sodium are associated with a low risk of hemorrhage and are often of diagnostic or therapeutic value.

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Thirty patients who developed recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty were followed for an average of 27.9 months. The average interval between implantation of the prosthesis and the first bleed was 24.2 months. Nine knees responded to conservative care alone. The remaining 21 knees continued to have recurrent bleeds requiring surgical intervention. Open synovectomy was performed in 15 knees and seemed to be curative in 14 (93%). Forty-three percent of the surgically treated knees were noted to have entrapment of proliferative synovial tissue or the fat pad between prosthetic components as the cause of the recurrent bleeds. Consistent histologic findings included focal synovial hyperplasia and significant hemosiderin deposition. Although similar, these changes should not be confused with those of pigmented villonodular synovitis.

Vascular changes in psoriatic synovium. A light and electron microscopic study

Light and electron microscopic studies were performed on the synovial membranes from the large joints of 12 patients with psoriatic arthritis. The most significant histopathologic findings were vascular changes that were characterized by endothelial cell swelling accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration and marked thickening of the vessel wall. Fibrosis of the subsynoviocyte tissue was also prominent, especially in patients with chronic disease. Villi were not prominent, and the lining layer was not thickened. Both type A and B cells were seen; none had significant abnormalities. No electrondense deposits were observed. These findings lend further support to the theory that microvascular changes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its related arthritis.

Hemarthrosis as the presenting manifestation of true myeloma joint disease

This is the first reported of a patient with hemarthrosis due to invasion of the synovial membrane by myeloma cells. With angiographic studies of the affected joint it was apparent that the tumor tissue extended from the destructive bone lesion of the femoral condyle into the synovial membrane. Intraarticular spontaneous bleeding was the first manifestation of a monoclonal IgG multiple myeloma; the hemarthrosis recurred after drainage but was controlled with local roentgen therapy.

Ecchymosis of the lower leg. A sign of hemarthrosis with synovial rupture

Four patients with hemarthrosis of the knee, synovial rupture, and ecchymoses are reported. The patients presented with calf pain and swelling and large ecchymoses, which eventually extended to the ankle as a crescent about one or both malleoli. Appreciation of this physical sign, which appears to be characteristic for the hemorrhagic subset of synovial rupture, should alert the physician to the correct diagnosis and steer him away from contraindicated anticoagulant therapy.