title: Anaphylactic reactions with intravenous vitamin K: lessons from the bedside.
abstract: Vitamin K is used as a correction factor to avert the risk of bleeding due to warfarin overdose. Among the reported complications of this therapy, the most serious one is the anaphylactic cardiovascular collapse caused by intravenous infusion of the drug. We report herein a patient with over-anticoagulation from warfarin use and a subcapsular renal bleeding who developed a fatal anaphylactic shock after vitamin K administration via slow intravenous infusion. Vigilance with the intravenous formulation of this agent should always be sought in order to prevent fatal outcomes, especially in patients with severe comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Medicine, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, USA.
authors.forename: Ashif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jethava
authors.forename: Joby
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Constantin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dasanu
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014812:Vitamin K; D014859:Warfarin