Severe bleeding after antithrombotic therapy in urosepsis masquerading as myocardial infarction

Intern Med. 2011;50(7):779-82. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.50.4681. Epub 2011 Apr 1.

Abstract

Cardiac dysfunction is common in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. We present a 71-year-old woman with Escherichia coli urosepsis and sepsis-induced myocardial injury masquerading as non-ST elevated myocardial ischemia. Spontaneous psoas hematoma requiring blood transfusion and intracranial hemorrhage developed after antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, even in therapeutic doses. The patient was managed conservatively and recovered well with minor residual hemiparesis. Bleeding complications are a common risk of antithrombotic therapy. It is therefore crucial to weigh the impact of efficacy against safety. Old age, female gender, renal insufficiency and sepsis character increased the risk of bleeding in this patient. A misinterpretation of elevated cardiac troponin I may give rise to a diagnostic dilemma and cause unnecessary morbidity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hematoma / chemically induced*
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / chemically induced*
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnostic imaging*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Sepsis / diagnosis*
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Fibrinolytic Agents