Warfarin skin necrosis mimicking calciphylaxis in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing peritoneal dialysis

A Scoping Review of Alternative Anticoagulation Strategies for Hemodialysis Patients with a Mechanical Heart Valve

INTRODUCTION

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have high rates of cardiac valvulopathy but can develop contraindications for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy. We explored the evidence for alternative anticoagulation strategies in patients with ESRD with a contraindication for VKA therapy.

METHODS

A scoping review was completed, searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Conference abstracts from inception to March 30, 2021. The study population was patients with ESRD who were on VKA therapy and developed a contraindication to VKA therapy use. All data regarding studies, patient characteristics, anticoagulation strategy, and clinical outcomes were summarized.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles met inclusion criteria. These articles included 57 patients. Contraindications to VKA therapy included calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) (n = 55) and warfarin-induced skin necrosis (n = 2). All studies were either case reports or case series. There were 10 anticoagulation strategies identified. Continuation of VKA therapy was associated with increased death and decreased rates of CUA resolution (80.0% and 10.0%, respectively), compared to apixaban (24.0% and 70.8%), subcutaneous (SC) low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (14.3%, 85.7%), and SC unfractionated heparin (0.0%, 100.0%). While only 5 patient cases were reported with mechanical heart valves, SC LMWH use has been reported in this context with good outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ESRD who develop a contraindication to VKA therapy, several alternative anticoagulation strategies have been reported with superior outcomes to VKA continuation. While outcomes appear superior to continuation of VKA therapy, more data are required before definitive recommendations can be made for the patient with ESRD and a mechanical heart valve.

Clinical Assessment of Warfarin Therapy in Patients with Maintenance Dialysis-Clinical Efficacy, Risks and Development of Calciphylaxis

Recent years, multiple studies regarding clinical efficacy and risks of Warfarin therapy in dialysis patients have been reported, and not a few reports conclude that clinical advantage of Warfarin is questionable in dialysis patients. Conversely, its hemorrhagic risk might be a little more serious in dialysis patients comparing to non-dialysis patients. Basically, it is assumed that long-term administration of Warfarin accelerates the development of vascular athelosclerosis because of the abolished anti-calcification effect of Gla-protein activation by decreased vitamin K activity. This assumption is recently confirmed by multiple reports, suggesting that the Warfarin administration might be worse harmful than ever expected in dialysis patients who are essentially considered to have higher risk of calcification comparing to non-dialysis patients. In addition, it is recently well considered that the Warfarin administration would be a risk factor to cause Warfarin skin necrosis or calciphylaxis, therapy resistant ulcerative skin lesions, which are considered to be highly related to the Warfarin-induced transient hypercoagulable state or acceleration of calcification. Therefore, it is considered that the indication of Warfarin administration to dialysis patients should be carefully assessed. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 83–90.)