We present a serious case of warfarininduced skin necrosis that was successfully treated with oral rivaroxaban, a factor xa inhibitor. Since the early 1970s there have been suggestions of a link between warfarininduced reductions of the vitamin k dependent proteins and observations of warfarinrelated skin necrosis. Pdf introduction warfarininduced skin necrosis is a rare but catastrophic complication of warfarin therapy, ranging in prevalence from 0. International journal of cardiology and heart health. A close relationship was confirmed between congenital deficiency of protein c and s and warfarin usage.
Cutaneous findings include petechiae that progress to ecchymoses and hemorrhagic bullae. Our patient, who had attached great significance to warfarin therapy. Heparininduced thrombocytopenia and warfarininduced skin. Warfarininduced skin necrosis is an infrequent and wellrecognized. Warfarin, sold under the brand name coumadin among others, is a medication that is used as an anticoagulant blood thinner. Warfarin induced skin necrosis wisn is a rare but well recognized complication of warfarin treatment. Warfarininduced skin necrosis is an infrequent complication occurring in individuals under warfarin treatment who have a thrombophilic history or after administration of large loading doses of warfarin particularly without simultaneous initial use of heparin. Successful treatment of warfarininduced skin necrosis using oral. Warfarininduced skin necrosis wisn is an infrequent and wellrecognized complication of warfarin treatment. Following the diagnosis of warfarininduced skin necrosis, the patient was administered vitamin k intrave nously and fresh frozen plasma ffp to reverse the. Warfarininduced breast necrosis wibn is an exceedingly rare sequel to warfarin therapy.
Warfarin induced skin necrosis is a rare complication with a prevalence of 00101 per cent. Warfarininduced skin necrosis in the presence of acute hepatic. Although warfarin was ceased immediately, the prothrombin time measurements remained prolonged and warfarin levels remained therapeutic. In the literature, wisn incidence was estimated between 0. Anticoagulants, such as heparin and warfarin, are commonly used in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic events. Plastic surgeons are routinely consulted about the care of extended cutaneous necrosis.
Warfarininduced penile necrosis in a patient with heparin. Warfarininduced skin necrosis secondary to protein c deficiency was diagnosed. It does seem to be attached to branch off to smaller veins, but it def seems such as a lymphocele, as i stretch the skin out, its firm, and does have the structure of some sort of vasculature as i said there was no slippage of the condom as i recall, and i dont think most stds would manifest themselves shortly after 12 hours to be exact. Warfarininduced skin necrosis, although rare warfarininduced skin necrosis wisn was suspected necessitating the cessation of warfarin, and administration of vitamin k and low molecular weight heparin. A number of penile and skin necrosis cases have been reported in association with a familial or acquired deficiency of protein c and protein s. Blood clots can cause heart attack, stroke and problems in lung and leg. The purpose of the report is to describe a patient with warfarininduced skin necrosis in the presence of acute hepatic injury and. Autolytic debridement of the necrotic tissue was followed by healing of the cutaneous deficit by secondary intention. Warfarininduced skin necrosis is a rare complication of anticoagulant therapy with a high associated morbidity and mortality requiring immediate drug cessation. Warfarininduced skin necrosis is a condition in which skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosis tissue death occurs due to acquired protein c deficiency following treatment with antivitamin k anticoagulants 4hydroxycoumarins, such as warfarin. It is commonly used to treat blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and to prevent stroke in people who have atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease or artificial heart valves. In 1983, broekmans et al 12 reported two patients with warfarininduced skin necrosis who were also deficient in protein c.
The next day, central necrosis of the lesion developed, with a clear line of demarcation between the affected area and surrounding tissue the diameter of the lesion was 20 cm. Oral anticoagulants knowledge for medical students and physicians. Warfarininduced skin necrosis associated with factor v leiden and protein s deficiency. Case report warfarininduced skin necrosis thomas land. Nonvitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants noacs like dabigatran and. A human skin equivalent hse skin model used for dermatology research, made from the same primary human cells but grown to a defined specification. Calciphylaxis masquerading as warfarin induced skin necrosis. Dabigatran in the treatment of warfarininduced skin necrosis. Combining genetic and cell death assays, we demonstrate that elevated ffa. Warfarin is a drug that has ability to dissolve blood clots and prevent further clotting in the vessels. Painful skin lesions are initially erythematous and hemorrhagic. Hence it is prescribed in patients having tendency of blood. Less commonly it is used following stsegment elevation.
As initially determined in patients with hereditary thrombophilia, the proposed theoretical mechanism of warfarininduced skin necrosis wisn is. Warfarininduced complete bilateral breast necrosis. Warfarininduced skin necrosis was described by flood and colleagues1 who reported a case of a gangrenous breast but erroneously believed it was due to an underlying coagulopathy and not the drug therapy. After starting local wound care, lesions started improving. The general progression of warfarininduced skin necrosis is as follows. Warfarininduced skin necrosis, although rare edema central purpuric zones necrosis. A predilection for this complication has been reported. However, establishing a diagnosis of hereditary protein c deficiency can be difficult. The risk of developing warfarininduced skin necrosis wisn with warfarin is reported to be warfarin coumadin startup, is providing 20% according to who in 2017, cardiovascular diseases is the leading cause of death worldwide, about 17. For stroke prevention, finally he was started on dabigatran 110mg twice a day. Warfarininduced skin necrosis following heparininduced. Heparininduced thrombocytopenia and warfarininduced skin necrosis. These blood clots cause interruption in blood supply to the skin, resulting in necrosis.
375 110 395 101 354 1325 1519 591 494 1277 556 1011 519 1462 1056 1277 1362 1542 39 364 491 691 872 490 940 785 257 1137 860 1149 1554 561 1068 248 1563 1277 969 748 177 1115 134 928 126 630