title: Spontaneous splenic rupture associated with thrombolytic therapy and/or concomitant heparin anticoagulation.
abstract: Two cases of spontaneous splenic rupture in connection with thrombolytic therapy and concomitant heparin anticoagulation are reported. One patient was being treated for peripheral arterial graft occlusion using intraarterial urokinase, the other received intravenous infusion of streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction. Neither patient had a condition predisposing to splenic rupture. Although rare, previous reports of spontaneous splenic rupture associated with thrombolytic therapy and/or anticoagulation have been reported. Splenic rupture as a complication of thrombolytic therapy and/or anticoagulation should be considered when unexplained abdominal symptoms, hypotension, or blood loss is encountered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado 80212.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Regan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin