Professional paper

Excessive anticoagulation identified by emergency medical service through point-of-care coagulometry

Christopher Beynon ; Department of Neurosurgery Heidelberg University Hospital Im Neuenheimer Feld 400 69120 Heidelberg Germany
Angelina G Erk ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Erik Popp ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Stefan Mohr ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Felix Heiser ; Department of Anaesthesiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

Abstract

Bleeding because of excessive anticoagulation is a well-recognized complication of coumadin therapy. In cases of potentially life-threatening bleeding such as intracranial haemorrhage, reversal of anticoagulation should be carried out as soon as possible. Here we report the case of an emergency patient in whom excessive anticoagulation was diagnosed at the scene by emergency medical service personnel through the use of a point-of-care coagulometer. Following hospital admission, findings were confirmed by central laboratory assessment of prothrombin time. The time gained through the use of portable coagulometers may contribute to improved pre-hospital emergency management of anticoagulated patients.

Keywords

anticoagulation; bedside testing; warfarin; haemorrhage

Hrčak ID:

140720

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/140720

Publication date:

1.4.2015.

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