Massive Spontaneous Haemothorax after Rivaroxaban Therapy for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

  • Yan Denise Tan Department of Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singhealth, Singapore
  • Kai Heng Raymond Goh Department of Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singhealth, Singapore
  • Heng Joo Ng Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singhealth, Singapore
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2019_001236

Keywords

Spontaneous haemothorax, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, rivaroxaban, anticoagulation

Abstract

Spontaneous haemothorax complicating the treatment of pulmonary embolism is rare and potentially fatal. We describe a patient with pulmonary embolism and severe pleuritic pain who developed a life-threatening haemothorax 10 days later while on rivaroxaban therapy. This case highlights the fact that severe pleuritic pain associated with pulmonary embolism may indicate subclinical infarction of tissue near the visceral pleura with an increased risk of pleural effusion and the subsequent development of a haemothorax. It is important to recognise such danger signs warranting closer attention, especially since the increased use of direct oral anticoagulants has facilitated ambulatory care and this complication may manifest in the outpatient setting.

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    • Published: 2019-09-27

    Issue: Vol 6 No 10 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Tan YD, Goh KHR, Ng HJ. Massive Spontaneous Haemothorax after Rivaroxaban Therapy for Acute Pulmonary Embolism. EJCRIM 2019;6 doi:10.12890/2019_001236.

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