title: Compartment syndrome after simple venipuncture in an anticoagulated patient.
abstract: An excessively anticoagulated 52-year-old man on chronic warfarin therapy developed a forearm compartment syndrome after venipuncture in an antecubital vein. At fasciotomy, active venous bleeding into the forearm from the venipuncture site was noted, and a large forearm hematoma was evacuated. Anticoagulated patients or those with coagulopathies are at risk for compartment syndrome after percutaneous needle punctures and should be warned of this possibility. Such individuals should be instructed to seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of this complication occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh 15224, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McLane
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin