Warfarin induced spontaneous gastric intramural haematoma presenting with palpitations

Spontaneous gastric intramural haematoma is an uncommon complication associated with anticoagulant therapy. A patient receiving chronic warfarin for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was admitted due to atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR). An incidental intra-abdominal mass was detected on a CT scan. Following the initiation of the amiodarone infusion, the patient experienced bleeding attributed to warfarin-amiodarone-induced coagulopathy, with no identifiable bleeding source. Subsequent CT scans revealed an enlargement of the intra-abdominal mass, suggesting gastric intramural haematoma. After coagulopathy reversal, the haematoma is managed conservatively. Our case underscores the potential for incidental bleeding even when the international normalised ratio is within the normal range in patients on chronic warfarin therapy. When managing such patients with atrial fibrillation with RVR, physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for bleeding, emphasising the importance of prompt coagulopathy reversal.