SKIN NECROSIS - A PARADOXICAL COMPLICATION OF ANTICOAGULATION

Authors
Citation
B. Balestra, SKIN NECROSIS - A PARADOXICAL COMPLICATION OF ANTICOAGULATION, Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift, 125(8), 1995, pp. 361-364
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
ISSN journal
00367672
Volume
125
Issue
8
Year of publication
1995
Pages
361 - 364
Database
ISI
SICI code
0036-7672(1995)125:8<361:SN-APC>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
Skin necrosis is an uncommon complication associated with coumarin or heparin therapy. The gross appearance and histology of the lesions - a paradoxical thrombosis of skin vessels - are identical. However, skin necrosis is the symptom of two different disorders. Coumarin necrosis may be related to reduced levels of protein C or S during the early s tages of anticoagulation. It is possible to continue warfarin therapy, simultaneously with heparin, if further anticoagulation is still requ ired. In contrast, heparin necrosis is a manifestation of the potentia lly fatal heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome (HATT). Immediate discontinuation of heparin is mandatory.