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Spontaneous esophageal hematoma in a patient with atrial fibrillation

Roseanna Guzman1, Linda Ding, Thomas J Watson

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642-8410, USA.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|February 27, 2013
PubMed

We report a case of a spontaneous esophageal hematoma in an anticoagulated patient with atrial fibrillation previously complicated by a cerebrovascular accident. A multidisciplinary discussion resulted in holding of anticoagulation until the esophageal hematoma resolved. The patient was managed nonoperatively and discharged, but returned with a new neurologic deficit 3 weeks later. Aspirin treatment was resumed. After complete resolution of hematoma on outpatient scans, warfarin treatment was restarted. The challenges of managing an esophageal hematoma in a patient requiring anticoagulation are discussed.

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