A case report of a new pulmonary embolism occurring in a patient receiving continuous infusion of recombinant activated protein C.
BACKGROUND
There are no guidelines governing the concomitant use of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) and deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE) prophylaxis in critically ill patients. It is unknown if rhAPC provides any protection against DVT/PE in this population of patients.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
This report describes the first case of a radiographically demonstrated pulmonary embolism occurring in a patient receiving continuous therapeutic infusion of rhAPC.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of rhAPC alone may not be sufficient DVT/PE prophylaxis in high risk patients. The risks associated with concomitant anticoagulation and rhAPC therapy are unknown. Further research is necessary to determine the safest and most effective regimen for DVT/PE prophylaxis in patients receiving rhAPC.
Benedetto
Bernard J
BJ
Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, 2 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, USA.
Houston
Michael A
MA
University of North Carolina Medical Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.