Spine subdural hematoma: a rare complication associated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA)

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2009 Jan;92(1):e1-3. doi: 10.1590/s0066-782x2009000100013.
[Article in English, Portuguese, Spanish]

Abstract

Spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is a rare condition, which is difficult to diagnose, related to Vitamin K Antagonist. This a case report of a life-threatening situation in a octogenarian patient with a history of recent atrial fibrillation that received K-Vitamin Antagonist (KVA) therapy. The history and the clinical assessment were normal at the admission, associated with increase in the coagulation parameters (INR >10). Twenty-four hours after the admission, the patient developed progressive tetraparesis and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed, disclosing the evidence of a SSDH (Figure 1). An emergency neurosurgical intervention was performed associated with normalization of the coagulation parameters. After the procedure, the patient presented improvement of the neurological symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Vitamin K / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Vitamin K