Coumadin-induced skin necrosis in a 64 year-old female despite LMWH bridging therapy

Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis Despite Enoxaparin Bridging Therapy

Skin necrosis is a rare albeit severe complication of warfarin use for anticoagulation, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we present the case of a 58-year-old woman who developed erythema and pain in her left leg two weeks after initiation of warfarin therapy with concomitant early administration of heparin for a deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Subsequently, the erythema progressed to skin necrosis, and a diagnosis of warfarin-induced skin necrosis (WISN) was suspected. Warfarin was discontinued, and unfractionated heparin was commenced. The simultaneous presence of eosinophilia pointed toward an associated drug-related hypersensitivity reaction. Dexamethasone was added to the medication regimen. The patient was discharged on a factor Xa inhibitor and prednisone.

Recognizing WISN is crucial in patients receiving anticoagulation. The diagnosis can be particularly challenging in cases when bridging anticoagulation has been previously completed. Early diagnosis and drug discontinuation are critical to ensuring a favorable prognosis. Steroids may also play a role in the treatment of this condition if an associated drug hypersensitivity is identified.

Warfarin-induced major unilateral breast necrosis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome: A case report

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Warfarin rarely causes necrosis, and antiphospholipid syndrome is a rarer cause of skin necrosis. Physicians should consider both conditions in the aetiology of skin necrosis.

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Management should involve stopping warfarin treatment, administering alternative medications, taking a good history, and performing proper examination, investigation, and wound management with dressings or operation using a multidisciplinary team.

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Wound management depends on the patient’s medical condition and considers the reconstructive ladder.

Introduction

Warfarin-induced necrosis is a rare complication associated with the use of warfarin in addition to antiphospholipid syndrome.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old female patient with a known case of antiphospholipid syndrome started warfarin treatment for ischaemic changes in her toes and subsequently experienced warfarin-induced necrosis in her left breast. Then, warfarin treatment was suspended, and she was started on enoxaparin. Debridement was performed, and a skin graft was applied without complications.

Discussion

Skin necrosis has many differential diagnoses, and physicians must take a proper history and perform a physical examination with proper investigations involving a multidisciplinary team, including plastic surgery, haematology, internal medicine, and wound care specialists. Plastic surgery offers many options for reconstruction depending on the patient’s medical condition, the size of the wound and the location following the reconstructive ladder.

Conclusion

This case report presents a rare complication of warfarin in the context of antiphospholipid syndrome and describes the management of unilateral breast necrosis. Physicians should be highly suspicious of this condition in patients with skin necrosis who were administered warfarin or have antiphospholipid syndrome.

Role of PFO Closure in Ischemic Stroke Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight recent advancements in the management of acute ischemic stroke patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO).

RECENT FINDINGS

One significant recent development was publication of long-term follow-up data from the RESPECT trial demonstrating evidence in favor of PFO closure over medical management. This data subsequently led to FDA approval for AMPLATZER™ septal occluder in the treatment of patients aged 18 to 60 years with both PFO and no other determined etiology for ischemic stroke, otherwise referred to as embolic stroke of undetermined source. Several subsequent closure trial results have recently been published, which also demonstrated benefit of PFO closure over medical management for ischemic stroke risk reduction in select patients. Based on the results of the more recently published REDUCE trial, the FDA granted approval for the GORE™ septal occluder. There is current, well-established evidence that PFO closure for secondary stroke prevention is effective in select cases.

Consequences of Venous Thromboembolism, Including Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Venous thromboembolism includes both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. They pose a significant risk for morbidity and mortality. In an appropriate clinical setting, invasive interventions, including administration of thrombolytics, anticoagulation, and placement of vena cava filter, are warranted. Bleeding, postthrombotic syndrome, recurrence, and filter-associated complications are few of the complications of this disease. More recently, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension has gained clinical interest in patients with pulmonary embolism and has warranted close follow-up.

[Vitamin K antagonist-induced necrotic leg ulcer, without protein C and S deficiencies]

INTRODUCTION

Patients treated by vitamin K antagonists (VKA) represent 1% of the population in France. We report a case of atypical necrotic leg ulcers induced by VKA.

CASE REPORT

A 84-year-old woman was referred to our dermatology department because of necrotic leg ulcers that developed for the past 5weeks, and appeared spontaneously after the introduction of a VKA, fluindione. The etiological assessment was non contributive, in particular the search for thrombophilic factors. The skin biopsy found an aspect compatible with pyoderma gangrenosum. The outcome was favorable after discontinuing the fluindione and the switch to apixaban. A complete healing was obtained in 5months.

CONCLUSION

We report an original case of necrotic leg ulcers induced by VKA without deficit of protein C or S, with a pyoderma like histology. Reported cases of ulcers induced by VKA are uncommon and the physiopathology is not well known. The involvement of VKA should be evoked in case of necrotic leg ulcer without specific etiology found.

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis

BACKGROUND

Warfarin is a frequently used oral anticoagulant in the treatment and prevention of various medical conditions. One uncommon adverse effect that can occur following the initiation of therapy is warfarin-induced skin necrosis. Because it is a rare effect with an undetermined pathophysiology of disease, the treatment is not well established.

CASE

A 52-year-old female was prescribed warfarin and enoxaparin for a newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity. On day 4 of therapy, the patient had a supra-therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR), prompting the discontinuation of enoxaparin and a decrease in the warfarin dose. The patient returned to the emergency department on day 7 of treatment with a purple, cold, and extremely painful right foot with punctate areas of necrosis and petechiae proximal to the discoloration. The patient's INR was found to be 10.64. Following the diagnosis of warfarin-induced skin necrosis, the patient was administered vitamin K intravenously and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to reverse the effects of warfarin and promote protein C and S synthesis. Once the patient's INR was no longer supratherapeutic, subcutaneous enoxaparin was re-started as treatment for the known recent DVT. The patient's necrotic foot began to improve and she was discharged home with an anticipated full recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the proposed pathophysiology of disease, adequate bridge therapy may decrease the likelihood of developing this life-threatening condition. Early recognition and treatment with intravenous vitamin K, FFP or 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate, and continued wound care are essential to prevent further complications.

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis

BACKGROUND

Warfarin is a frequently used oral anticoagulant in the treatment and prevention of various medical conditions. One uncommon adverse effect that can occur following the initiation of therapy is warfarin-induced skin necrosis. Because it is a rare effect with an undetermined pathophysiology of disease, the treatment is not well established.

CASE

A 52-year-old female was prescribed warfarin and enoxaparin for a newly diagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity. On day 4 of therapy, the patient had a supra-therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR), prompting the discontinuation of enoxaparin and a decrease in the warfarin dose. The patient returned to the emergency department on day 7 of treatment with a purple, cold, and extremely painful right foot with punctate areas of necrosis and petechiae proximal to the discoloration. The patient's INR was found to be 10.64. Following the diagnosis of warfarin-induced skin necrosis, the patient was administered vitamin K intravenously and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to reverse the effects of warfarin and promote protein C and S synthesis. Once the patient's INR was no longer supratherapeutic, subcutaneous enoxaparin was re-started as treatment for the known recent DVT. The patient's necrotic foot began to improve and she was discharged home with an anticipated full recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the proposed pathophysiology of disease, adequate bridge therapy may decrease the likelihood of developing this life-threatening condition. Early recognition and treatment with intravenous vitamin K, FFP or 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate, and continued wound care are essential to prevent further complications.