Skin necrosis, a rare complication of coumarin therapy.
Coumarin congeners are frequently being prescribed in vascular surgery. The complication most often seen in haemorrhage. A less known complication is necrosis of skin and soft tissues. This rare complication is potentially lethal. The etiology is unclear, a relation with protein C deficiency seems likely. Early treatment with vitamin K and heparin may prevent the skin necrosis. After necrosis has occurred, surgical intervention is usually necessary.
Hartman
E H
EH
Academisch Ziekenhuis Nijmegen, Plastische- en Reconstructieve Chirurgie, Niederland.
Coosemans
J A
JA
Tan
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003374:Coumarins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*
D003374:Coumarins