Pulmonary embolism following anticoagulation therapy.
Five patients with traumatic spinal injury received a course of oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, heparin, or phenindione for 90 days following injury. These patients, on discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy, developed pulmonary embolus; two of these were confirmed by ventilation perfusion lung scintigraphy, and two were confirmed at post-mortem. The reasons for this are discussed, in particular the importance of delayed anticoagulation, obesity, operations, and mobilization in wheelchairs. The implications for further treatment are discussed.
Silver
J R
JR
National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Noori
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010630:Phenindione / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010630:Phenindione; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin