title: An unusual cutaneous reaction to anticoagulant therapy.
abstract: Unusual complications of warfarin therapy include cutaneous necrosis and the "purple toe syndrome." The latter is more common in men and is not associated with vascular compromise; it usually occurs 3 to 8 weeks after warfarin therapy is begun and may persist for many months after the medication is discontinued. The following is a case of a 63-year-old woman who received warfarin therapy in conjunction with heparin for treatment of a left leg deep vein thrombosis. Approximately 8 hours after receiving her first dose of warfarin (15 mg), she developed acute pain, edema, and discoloration of the entire left leg to the mid-thigh, most prominent in the left great toe. After discontinuation of warfarin therapy, her symptoms completely resolved within 48 hours. This may be a report of a new cutaneous lesion associated with anticoagulant therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX 79920-5001.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Soisson
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Brittain
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chamales
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D010166:Palliative Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin