Hemorrhagic cholecystitis after anticoagulation therapy

Am J Med Sci. 2010 Oct;340(4):338-9. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181e9563e.

Abstract

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare and potentially fatal complication of biliary tract disease. Nontraumatic hemorrhagic cholecystitis is related to a variety of etiologies. Here, the authors reported an elderly patient who developed hemorrhagic cholecystitis after heparin and aspirin usage for unstable angina. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed with the histopathology report disclosing adenocarcinoma in situ. As demonstrated in this case, underlying malignant changes in its early stage increase the risk of bleeding concomitant with anticoagulation usage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Aged
  • Angina, Unstable / drug therapy
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Aspirin / adverse effects
  • Cholecystitis / diagnosis
  • Cholecystitis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Heparin / adverse effects
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin
  • Aspirin