[Hemothorax with high number of eosinophils following warfarin overdose].

Abstract

Some drugs are known to induce pleural effusion. Drug-induced pleural effusion is often associated with pleural fluid eosinophilia. Anticoagulant therapy may induce pleural effusion by at least two different mechanisms: bleeding complication (haemothorax) and allergic or toxic reaction. Authors describe 76-yr-old male with warfarin-induced pleural effusion. Since INR was 15.5, and the value of pleural effusion Hct exceeded significantly 50% of Hct value in blood, spontaneous haemothorax due to warfarin overdose was diagnosed. Pleural fluid analysis revealed relatively high percentage of eosinophils (13%), but it was probably secondary to the presence of numerous red blood cells in the effusion. The authors discuss different mechanisms of drug-induced pleural effusion, with special attention to eosinophilic pleural effusion and review the literature on the spontaneous haemothorax as a complication of anticoagulant therapy.

• Authors: Jacek Nasiłowski, Rafał Krenke
• Journal: Pneumonologia i alergologia polska (Pneumonol Alergol Pol) Vol. 70 Issue 9-10 Pg. 496-503 ( 2002) ISSN: 0867-7077 [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Krwisty, eozynofilowy wysiek w opłucnej w przypadku przedawkowania warfaryny.
• PMID: 12710103 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Warfarin

Topics

• Aged
• Anticoagulants (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Overdose
• Hemothorax (chemically induced, diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Pleural Effusion (chemically induced, diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Pulmonary Eosinophilia (chemically induced, diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Time Factors
• Warfarin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)