Long-term warfarin treatment may induce arterial calcification in humans: case report.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of arterial calcification in a person who has had long-term treatment with warfarin. Although the anticoagulant has been shown to induce arterial calcification in laboratory animals, there have been no previous reports implicating warfarin as a clinical factor.


METHODS
On routine annual examination, the coronary arteries of a healthy man with no symptoms who has had long-term warfarin treatment were found to be highly calcified.


CONCLUSIONS
It would be prudent to further evaluate experimentally the relationship of warfarin and arterial calcification. We suggest that physicians prescribing long-term warfarin treatment consider arterial calcification as one of its potential consequences.
Schori
Thomas R
TR
Millennium Research, Normal, Ill 61761, USA. tschori@millennium-mktg.com
Stungis
George E
GE
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin