Abstract

A CASE SERIES ON WARFARIN TOXICITY

Dr. Kanchi Shah*, Dr. Hemraj Singh Rajput and Dr. Rajesh Hadia

Abstract

Background- Warfarin toxicity is relatively frequent in patients on long Warfarin therapy, presented with wide variety of clinical manifestation, often involving various organs and potentially fatal. Warfarin, an oral anticoagulant, is a vitamin K antagonist, is widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disease. In addition, warfarin is used to treat formed thrombus including those in the deep veins. Warfarin toxicity occurs due to intentional or unintentional overdose of warfarin as it has very narrow therapeutic index. Case presentation- We reported 2 cases of warfarin toxicity in two different conditions, in one patient warfarin was given in ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP) and in other for management of stroke. Both patients had raised PT-INR levels, a common indicator of warfarin toxicity with other symptoms showing active bleeding. Both patient were treated with holding tab Warfarin and inj. vitamin K along with inotropic support and rest treatment was continued as of earlier. Both patients PT-INR levels were dropped near to 1.5. Conclusion- the patients on warfarin must be closely monitored and counseled for the likely outcomes of this therapy.

Keywords: Warfarin toxicity, anticoagulant, PT-INR, Vitamin K antagonist.