title: CT of hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant therapy.
abstract: Anticoagulant therapy is commonly used in patients at risk for, or known to have, thromboembolic disease. Although complications of therapy are uncommon in most patients, in others it may result in complications with substantial morbidity and occasionally may be life threatening. This essay reviews the role of anticoagulant therapy and defines the potential complications that may occur in the chest, abdomen, musculoskeletal system, and CNS. Specific pitfalls in diagnosis as well as complications of the bleeding process are discussed and illustrated. The role of CT scanning in the diagnosis and triage of these patients is clearly defined through select cases and clinical dilemmas.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Pretorius
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Zinreich
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator