[Splenic infarction after warfarin discontinuation during atrial fibrillation]

Clin Ter. 2008 Nov-Dec;159(6):435-7.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

We describe a case of patient with splenic infarction, admitted to our department for sudden abdominal pain and fever after discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation, complicating a dilated myocardiopathy and mechanical prosthetic valve. Diagnosis of splenic infarction was made by enhanced-contrast computed tomography, while ultrasounds and radiography were negative. Anticoagulant therapy, gold-standard treatment, was followed by fast clinical improvement. Moreover, splenic infarction should be considered in all cases of acute or chronic pain in left hypochondrium and especially in patients with emboligenous cardiopathies or atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia source of peripheral embolism in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / complications
  • Embolism / prevention & control
  • Emergencies
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Patient Compliance
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Splenic Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Splenic Infarction / diagnosis
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / etiology*
  • Thrombophilia / chemically induced
  • Thrombophilia / etiology
  • Warfarin / adverse effects*
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin