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Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulopathy cured by abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
T E Rowlands1, D Norfolk, S Homer-Vanniasinkam
1Vascular Surgical Unit, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Great George Street, Leeds, UK.
Insights
A rare cause of bleeding disorders, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Surgical repair of the AAA completely resolved the patient's bleeding tendency, highlighting the importance of assessing coagulation in aneurysm patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Hematology
- Coagulation Disorders
Background:
- Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is a rare but serious complication.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are typically asymptomatic until rupture.
- The association between AAAs and DIC is infrequently reported.
Observation:
- A case of a patient presenting with a bleeding tendency due to an asymptomatic AAA.
- The patient underwent successful surgical repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- Post-operative resolution of the bleeding disorder was observed.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention for AAA can effectively treat associated DIC.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms are an under-recognized cause of acquired coagulation disorders.
- Multidisciplinary management is crucial for patients with AAA and bleeding complications.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider AAA as a potential cause of DIC, especially in patients with unexplained bleeding.
- Perioperative assessment of coagulation status is essential for patients with AAAs.
- Further research is warranted to understand the under-reporting of coagulation disorders in aneurysm patients.
Abstract:
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) may rarely be caused by a previously asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The authors describe a recent case where repair of the AAA provided a complete cure for the patient's bleeding tendency. The multidisciplinary management of this patient is presented, and the evidence for the rare causal role of AAA in DIC is discussed. Coagulation disorders in aneurysm patients are probably under-reported, and warrant careful perioperative assessment.