Venous Thromboembolism Due to Oral Contraceptive Intake and Spending Nights in a Vehicle -A Case from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes

Intern Med. 2017;56(4):409-412. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7785. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Abstract

A 40-year-old woman experiencing sudden dyspnea went to her personal doctor for advice. She was previously diagnosed with endometriosis and prescribed oral contraceptives for treatment. During earthquakes, she spent 7 nights sleeping in a vehicle. The patient had swelling and pain in her left leg and high D-dimer concentration levels. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a contrast deficit in the bilateral pulmonary artery and in the left lower extremity. She was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and anticoagulation therapy was initiated. This present case is the first report of PTE attributed to the use of oral contraceptives after earthquakes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Automobiles
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / adverse effects*
  • Earthquakes*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immobilization / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Venous Thromboembolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology*

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined