Spontaneous extraperitoneal lumbar artery hemorrhage

Compressive femoral neuropathy caused by anticoagulant therapy induced retroperitoneal hematoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematomas due to anticoagulant therapy rarely occur. Retroperitoneal hematomas can cause severe pain in the groin, quadriceps femoris muscle weakness, hemodynamic instability, and abdominal distension. They rarely cause compressive neuropathy of the femoral nerve transversing the iliacus muscle. Differential diagnosis is not easy because they have similar clinical features to retroperitoneal hematomas.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 72-year-old female patient whose right arm was stuck in a bookshelf for 5 days developed right cephalic vein thrombosis. After 5 days of intravenous heparin therapy for venous thrombosis, she presented with sudden right groin pain, right leg paresis, hemodynamic instability, and abdominal distension.

DIAGNOSIS

Emergency abdominal and pelvic CT showed a large number of hematomas in the bilateral retroperitoneal space with active bleeding of the right lumbar artery. An electrodiagnostic study was performed 2 weeks later to check for neuromuscular damage in the right lower extremity, and right compressive femoral neuropathy was confirmed.

INTERVENTIONS

Heparin therapy was discontinued; emergency embolization of the lumbar artery was performed. After 2 weeks, the patient started receiving physical, occupational, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation therapies.

OUTCOMES

She became hemodynamically stable after arterial embolization; a significant decrease in hematoma and patency of the femoral nerve was confirmed on follow-up pelvic MRI. After 2 months of comprehensive rehabilitation, the muscle strength of the right leg significantly improved, and the pain disappeared.

LESSONS

Although rare, spontaneous retroperitoneal hematomas may occur in patients receiving anticoagulant medications. They may even occur in patients receiving emergency anticoagulant therapy. Compressive femoral neuropathy due to retroperitoneal hematomas should be considered if muscle weakness and groin pain are observed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan of compressive femoral neuropathy due to retroperitoneal hematoma are helpful for a good prognosis.

Life-Threatening Psoas Hematoma due to Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage in a COVID-19 Patient on Enoxaparin Treated With Arterial Embolization: A Case Report

Respiratory failure is presumptively caused by microvascular thrombosis in some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring therapeutic anticoagulation. Anticoagulation treatment may cause life-threatening bleeding complications such as retroperitoneal hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge, we report first case of a COVID-19 patient treated with therapeutic anticoagulation resulting in psoas hematoma due to lumbar artery bleeding. A 69-year-old patient presented with fever, malaise and progressive shortness of breath to our hospital. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR. Due to an abnormal coagulation profile, the patient was started on enoxaparin. Over the course of hospitalization, the patient was found to have hypotension with worsening hemoglobin levels. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large psoas hematoma. Arteriogram revealed lumbar artery bleeding which was treated with embolization. Anticoagulation therapy, while indicated in COVID-19 patients, has its own challenges and guidelines describing dosages and indications in this disease are lacking. Rare bleeding complications such as psoas hematoma should be kept in mind in patients who become hemodynamically unstable, warranting prompt imaging for diagnosis and treatment with arterial embolization, thus eliminating need of surgical intervention.

Spontaneous lumbar artery rupture and massive retroperitoneal hematoma, successfully treated with arteriographic embolization

Background and Objective

Massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by lumbar artery rupture is generally associated with trauma or retroperitoneal malignancy. However, despite recent advances in technologies and tools, spontaneous lumbar artery rupture is a very rare disease entity but remains a challenging problem because it is frequently associated with significantly high mortality and morbidity and is very difficult to make a correct diagnosis.

Methods

We evaluated the databases of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, Google Scholar, the KoreaMed and the Research Information Sharing Service databases, and a detailed systematic review was performed by searching in PubMed. The initial search was performed on 3 February 2018 and a second search conducted in 29 January 2019.

Results

A total of 10 case reports on massive hemoperitoneum caused by spontaneous lumbar artery rupture were identified. Of the 10 case reports involving 14 patients, eight were male and six were female under 62.71 ± 13.93. Of the 14 patients, 9 (64.3%) surviving with transcatheter arterial embolization, three (21.4%) died of multi-organ failure or hypovolemia, and two (14.3%) had no definite records on survival or death.

Conclusions

A massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by lumbar artery rupture should be considered in patients with late-onset shock accompanied by blunt abdominal/pelvic trauma. Furthermore, early detection and urgent embolization would prevent further complications and eliminate the need for surgical interventions.

Safety and effectiveness of transcatheter embolization in the treatment of internal mammary artery injuries

PURPOSE

Demonstrate the role of endovascular management in the treatment of internal mammary artery (IMA) injuries using transcatheter embolization reviewing our 7-year experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our retrospective analysis of cases consists of a total of 12 patients (8 M and 4 F; mean age 52 years) who underwent angiographic studies and transcatheter embolization for IMA injuries. Causes of vascular injury were divided in high-energy trauma (n = 6), iatrogenic (n = 3) and penetrating injuries (n = 3). Type of trauma, associated injury, imaging findings, treatments and complications were assessed. Imaging findings included active haemorrhage, pseudoaneurysm and focal dissection.

RESULTS

Embolization was performed with microcoils in all patients; complete thrombosis was obtained in four patients by additional injection of Spongostan pledgets and in two patients with 300-500 μm particles. The technical success rate was 100%. No patient died as a direct result of vascular injury; one died of myocardial contusion and one for severe multiorgan failure related to high-energy trauma. No major and minor complications were registered. No patient required emergency surgery or subsequent surgical treatment.

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter embolization offers an effective, efficient and safe alternative to conventional surgical management of IMA injuries.

Three cases of spontaneous lumbar artery rupture in hemodialysis patients

We encountered three cases of retroperitoneal hematoma caused by spontaneous lumbar artery rupture, a rare vascular complication. At the time of retroperitoneal hematoma, two patients were on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. One patient was not taking any anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents but was receiving hemodialysis treatment with heparin. Lumbar artery rupture was successfully controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization in all patients, but one patient developed multiple organ failure and died. We suggest that spontaneous lumbar artery rupture may occur in patients being treated with maintenance hemodialysis or anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. Therefore, clinicians should suspect lumbar artery rupture in patients with unstable vital signs and rapid onset of anemia because early diagnosis and appropriate intervention are necessary to decrease the risks of morbidity and mortality.

Spontaneous soft-tissue hemorrhage in anticoagulated patients: safety and efficacy of embolization

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness and safety of selective arterial embolization for the management of anticoagulation-related soft-tissue bleeding.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive patients from June 1, 2003, to June 1, 2010, with intractable anticoagulation-related soft-tissue bleeding treated by embolization were included. The clinical files, MDCT angiographic examinations, and procedure details were reviewed. The primary goal of this study was to report the safety and efficacy of embolization for the management of anticoagulation-related soft-tissue bleeding. The secondary goal was to evaluate the correlation between the MDCT angiography (MDCTA) findings and conventional catheter angiography.

RESULTS

Thirty-six consecutive patients were included. All patients were under anticoagulant therapy. Overdosage of the anticoagulant was found in 12 (33%) patients. MDCT was performed with multiphasic contrast media injection in 30 patients (83%) and showed extravasation in 22 (73.3%) of those 30 patients. Catheter angiography revealed extravasation in 27 of 36 (75%) patients, and no active bleeding was observed in nine patients who were empirically embolized. The sensitivity of MDCTA for depicting ongoing active bleeding was 87%. The transfusion requirement for RBC units decreased from 4.0 (range, 0-12.0) before to 0 (range, 0-4.0) after embolization. Nine patients underwent a second embolization but only one in the same vascular territory. Eleven patients died within 30 days despite the embolization. No complications related to embolization were reported.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulation-related soft-tissue bleeding can be efficiently and safely treated by selective arterial embolization. However, this serious pathologic condition may be fatal in many cases, and rebleeding is not rare. MDCTA could help to guide treatment.

Rapid Switch from Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping to Percutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support Using Perclose ProGlide

We present a case of a patient who needed rapid switch from intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) to percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS)/venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is difficult to switch from IABP to PCPS, because 0.035-inch guidewires cannot pass the IABP guidewire lumen (0.025-inch compatible), and the IABP sheath needs to be removed together with the IABP catheter. First, a 0.025-inch guidewire was inserted into the IABP wire lumen, and then the IABP catheter together with the 8 Fr IABP sheath was removed, leaving the 0.025-inch guidewire in place. We used the Perclose ProGlide for safe and rapid exchange of the 0.025-inch guidewire for a 0.035-inch guidewire. This allowed insertion of a PCPS cannula and the prompt initiation of PCPS.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding: a case series

Background

We experienced four Japanese patients with spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding, a rare disease. We categorized the clinical characteristics of spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding in these patients treated in our hospital and discuss the risk factors of spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding.

Case presentation

Three of the 4 patients did not have a bleeding tendency as indicated by laboratory data obtained at the time of retroperitoneal bleeding. The causative blood vessels were the lumbar and superior gluteal arteries and the internal iliac artery. All patients were receiving an anticoagulant, heparin in one and nafamostat mesilate in the other three patients. Three patients were being treated with hemodialysis or continuous hemodiafiltration when the spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding occurred. We achieved hemostasis with transcatheter arterial embolization in 3 patients and with surgical hemostasis in 1 patient.

Conclusions

We suggest that in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy in whom progressive anemia and unstable vital signs are present, spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding should be considered as a possible cause. Nafamostat mesilate may be one of the risk factors for spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding.

Soft tissue bleeding associated with antithrombotic treatment: technical and clinical outcomes after transcatheter embolization

PURPOSE

To assess retrospectively technical and clinical outcomes after transcatheter embolization in patients presenting with soft tissue bleeding associated with antithrombotic therapy and to determine factors potentially affecting the clinical outcomes after embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were 42 patients who underwent embolization for soft tissue bleeding associated with antithrombotic therapy. Principal clinical symptoms were hemodynamic shock (n = 21), abdominal pain (n = 9), back pain (n = 7), and buttock or thigh pain (n = 5). Ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) or both were performed in 40 patients (95%); 2 patients (5%) were immediately referred for angiography. Several laboratory and radiographic factors were analyzed to determine if any influenced the clinical outcome.

RESULTS

A hematoma was identified in the anterior abdominal wall (n = 18 [43%]), in the retroperitoneum (n = 18 [43%]), or in the thigh or gluteal region (n = 6 [14%]). Embolization was successful in all patients; early recurrent bleeding with a fatal outcome was recorded in one patient (2%). In nine patients (22%), secondary surgical drainage of the hematoma was performed to manage a compartment syndrome. During follow-up (mean, 37.9 months; range, 0.03-85.28 months), 11 patients (26%) died; death was related to the bleeding in 6 patients (14%). Both activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were correlated with hematoma size. Prolonged aPTT before embolization was associated with a higher risk of bleeding-related mortality (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter embolization was very effective in stopping soft tissue bleeding associated with antithrombotic therapy. However, there was still considerable morbidity and mortality after successful embolization. aPTT prolongation emerged as a risk factor for bleeding-related deaths.