Korean Circ J.  2016 Jan;46(1):99-101. 10.4070/kcj.2016.46.1.99.

Hemopericardium and Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient Treated with Dabigatran Etexilate

• Kizilirmak F
• Gunes HM
• Guler E
• Demir GG
• Karaca O
• Canpolat H

• KMID: 2223775
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2016.46.1.99

Abstract

Dabigatran etexilate is one of the new oral anticoagulants approved to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A variety of bleeding complications with dabigatran have been reported, but reports of hemopericardium are rare. We described a case of a 66 year-old female patient with non-valvular AF receiving dabigatran etexilate 150 mg twice daily for one year who suffered from hemopericardium. Her laboratory tests performed 1 year prior were normal and her admission tests revealed acute renal failure and elevated international normalized ratio (INR) level (4.79). Urgent pericardiocentesis was followed by improved renal functions and normalized INR. Dabigatran etexilate is a new oral anticoagulant that is increasingly used in daily practice. However, life-threatening complications warrant caution. Elevated INR may be related with overdose but the association of bleeding risk of dabigatran and INR requires further confirmation.

Keyword

Pericardial effusion; Dabigatran etexilate; Atrial fibrillation

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Anticoagulants
Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiac Tamponade*
Female
Hemorrhage
Humans
International Normalized Ratio
Pericardial Effusion*
Pericardiocentesis
Stroke
Dabigatran
Anticoagulants

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