Unusual presentation of haemoptysis following accidental inhalation of the 'superwarfarin' rodenticide brodifacoum

Superwarfarin poisoning: challenges still remain

Superwarfarin (long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide) poisoning should be suspected in unexplained bleeding with prolonged prothrombin time, especially in the absence of another explanation. Diagnosis and treatment of this intoxication remain a challenge as the direct analysis of superwarfarin in serum is not always possible. Therefore, toxin bioavailability remains unknown and close monitoring and treatment for long periods are required to avoid serious bleeding complications. Here, we discuss a case of suspected superwarfarin poisoning to highlight the challenges in early diagnosis and the challenges we encountered in treatment management and ensuring compliance for long periods.

Sudden nasal bleeding and brodifacoum: A case of accidental exposure or attempted homicide?

A 50-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with abrupt massive epistaxis. An accurate anamnesis and physical evaluation could not reveal any other anomalies, while coagulation tests showed potentially life threatening prolonged prothrombin time, with activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin time, with fibrinogen and antithrombin III within limits. Despite the prompt pharmacological and compressive local treatment, bleeding continued and the patient was therefore hospitalized. Highly specific coagulation and toxicological testing-among others high-performance liquid chromatography assessment on plasma-were performed, leading to the unexpected identification of brodifacoum. Police and criminal justice authorities revealed the source of exposure to brodifacoum after several months of investigation, residing in his everyday life. Brodifacoum is a long-lasting anticoagulant, acting as a vitamin K antagonist, and belongs to the family of superwarfarins. Brodifacoum use is authorized as rodenticide in many countries worldwide, but has been reported as cause of severe coagulopathies in humans, both intentional or involuntary, even consumed as a contaminant of herbal drugs, such as cannabis. The original contribution of this case to the knowledges of human brodifacoum intoxication resides in the multidisciplinary approach and the collaborative interplay of clinical and toxicology experts as well as judicial authorities.