Lovenox Induced Tissue Necrosis, a Case Report and Literature Review

Accidental intra-arterial injection of enoxaparin sodium leading to abdominal wall expanding subcutaneous hematoma and abdominal wound: case report-vascular

Introduction

Enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox®) is a commonly used anticoagulant medication that is self-administered via subcutaneous injection to prevent the formation of pathologic blood clots. It is used as a bridge to long-term anticoagulation with warfarin in patients at high risk for thromboembolic events. It is generally well-tolerated and has a favorable safety profile. The most common injection site reactions caused by enoxaparin sodium are urticaria, ecchymosis, and skin and fat necrosis.

Case Report

A 56 year-old female with extensive thromboembolic history was completing an enoxaparin sodium bridge to warfarin when she accidentally self-injected enoxaparin sodium into the left superficial epigastric artery, resulting in the formation of a large expanding hematoma and the development of hemorrhagic shock. Controlling the bleeding required reversal of anticoagulation, transfusion, and coil embolization of the affected arteries. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed, and the resultant wound was managed postoperatively with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for one month. After discontinuation of NPWT, the wound was allowed to heal by secondary intention using dressing changes.

Conclusions

The findings of this case report suggest that NPWT followed by conventional dressings can be used to close and heal the wound created by surgical hematoma evacuation.

Enoxaparin-induced skin necrosis at injection site after total knee arthroplasty

Enoxaparin is a widely used low-molecular-weight heparin for perioperative thromboembolic prophylaxis. Enoxaparin-induced skin necrosis in the setting of arthroplasty has been rarely reported in the literature with varying outcomes and management decisions. Our patient developed skin necrosis at his injection site and thrombocytopenia 10 days following left total knee arthroplasty surgery and after receiving subcutaneous Lovenox injections postoperatively. The patient was started on an alternative anticoagulation based on a high suspicion for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and the wound was monitored without surgical debridement. Our case highlights the key clinical management decisions when facing this potentially life-threatening adverse reaction.

Subcutaneous Toxicity of Agmatine in Rats

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive agmatine administration on sensorimotor gating in rats first but, as unexpected, ulcerative necrotic cutaneous lesions appeared, thus, the study was directed primarily to clarify these results.

Materials and Methods

In the first set of experiments, we administered agmatine (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) and saline (control group) subcutaneously to male Wistar albino rats (n=8 for each group) for 14 consecutive days. Ulcerative necrotic cutaneous lesions appeared following the third day of agmatine administration. We decided to explore the potential toxic dermal effects of agmatine and conducted second set of experiments with two groups (n=8) to compare the effects of subcutaneous vs. intraperitoneal agmatine (80 mg/kg) injection to understand if the injection route determines the toxicity.

Results

Our results showed that prolonged subcutaneous but not intraperitoneal administration of agmatine leads to a delayed dermal reaction in rats. Histopathologic examination of skin samples revealed cutaneous aseptic necrosis at the injection site whereas blood tests were found to be normal.

Conclusion

This finding is important to point out the risks of prolonged subcutaneous administration of agmatine to rats within the concept of animal welfare. In addition, the results raise questions about the possible risks of over-the-counter use of agmatine among humans although the agent is taken via oral route.