Pregnancy-induced acute intestinal infarction in a woman with chronic idiopathic mesenteric vein thrombosis under regular anticoagulation treatment.
OBJECTIVE
We present a case of acute intestinal infarction in a pregnant woman with chronic idiopathic mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) under regular anticoagulation treatment.


METHODS
The condition of the 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic MVT after detailed investigation was stable after receiving regular anticoagulation with warfarin. One year later, she presented with a 7-day episode of intermittent epigastric pain. Acute intestinal infarction and concomitant 7-week pregnancy were diagnosed. To preserve her life, a dilation and curettage procedure and emergency laparotomy with bowel resection were performed. Ten days later, she was discharged, having made a good recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Although pregnancy was not the primary cause of chronic MVT, it did play a role in inducing the acute intestinal infarction. This case indicates that pregnant patients with known chronic idiopathic MVT should be counseled about the high risk of acute mesenteric thrombosis. This case also serves to remind physicians that there should always be a high level of suspicion of intestinal infarction in patients with an acute abdomen who are in a hypercoagulable state.
Chan
Chia-Meng
CM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Wei-Lung
WL
Chen
Jiann-Hwa
JH
Wu
Yung-Lung
YL
Huang
Chien-Cheng
CC
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin