[Recurrent thromboembolisms despite oral anticoagulation in a 76-year-old patient--Trousseau syndrome]

We report the case of a 76-year-old man with recurrent thromboses and low-grade chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation despite therapeutic oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon. Work-up revealed a bronchial carcinoma (NSCCL) with hilar and mediastinal lymph node metastasis. The clinical condition was consistent with Trousseau's syndrome. Based on reports in the literature, the therapy was changed from phenprocoumon to intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH), which was effective in controlling the thrombotic coagulopathy. For practical reasons, despite lack of established effectiveness in Trousseau's syndrome, therapy was switched to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH, nadroparine) in therapeutic dosage of 100 IU/kg body wt. subcutaneously 12 hourly. The patient remained free from further thromboembolic events during the last 6.5 months of his life. This case suggests that LMWH might be a convenient alternative to the established therapy with UFH in Trousseau's syndrome.