Rectus sheath hematoma and retroperitoneal bleeding due to rivaroxaban: a case report

Abstract

Rivaroxaban is one of the new anti-coagulants that inhibit Factor Xa and rarely cause rectus sheath hematoma and retroperitoneal haemorrhage which are uncommon, life-threatening complications. Here is a case of an elderly patient on rivaroxaban therapy for the stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation who developed rectus sheath hematoma and retroperitoneal bleeding.

Introduction

Recently, new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have begun to be used as the alternatives of warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). In general, NOACs may offer a significant advantage over warfarin for most patients. Relative to warfarin, NOACs are as effective or superior in the prevention of stroke or embolic events and unlike warfarin, do not require frequent laboratory monitoring. However, in situations requiring rapid reversal of anticoagulation such as majör bleeding, there are no specific antidotes¹.

With expanding avenues of NOACs use, the complications associated with these drugs are also increasing. NOACs are associated with a decreased risk of intracranial hemorrhage, but these agents may be associated with a slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding relative to warfarin². Also, formation of rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) and retroperitoneal hematoma are other such severe complications with high risk of mortality and requires a close follow up³.

Rivaroxaban is a fast acting new oral anticoagulant that uses orally and directly inhibits Factor Xa. It is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis and stroke prevention in non-valvular AF^4,5. Here is a case of rivaroxaban associated RSH and minor retroperitoneal bleeding in a patient initiated on anti-coagulation for non-valvular AF.

Case Report

A 76 year old female with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, asthma and non-valvular AF presented to the emergency department with complaints of cough and acute onset severe abdominal pain in the left abdominal area with radiation to the back. On physical examination; she had wide ecchymotic area on anterior abdominal wall extending to the left lumbar region and widespread tenderness and voluntary defenses were present. There was no rebound tenderness Figure 1. Her blood pressure was 128/70 mm Hg, pulse 98 beats/minute, respiratory rate 18 breaths/minute, and temperature 36.7°C. Laboratory studies showed normal white blood cell count, hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dL normal range 12–18.1 g/dl, hematocrit of 32.1% normal range 36%–53.7%, platelets of 296x10³/mm³ normal range 140–400×10³/mm³, normal international normalized ratio, blood urea nitrogen of 39 mg/dL normal range 5–22 mg/dL, and normal creatinine. The computed tomography of the abdomen with contrast showed left RSH measuring approximately 10×4×12 cm and minimal hemorrhagic areas in the retroperitoneum Figure 2.

Wide ecchymotic area on anterior abdominal wall extending to the left lumbar region.

Contrast CT scan image of abdomen. Image shows left rectus sheath hematoma and minor retroperitoneal bleeding area.

As part of a treatment for her non-valvular AF, the patient had been using rivaroxaban at a dose of 15 mg/day for the past three months. She had no history of trauma and had not used any other drug that could account for the bleeding and hematoma formation. Her daily drugs were as follows: diltiazem 90 mg/day mg, furosemide 40 mg/day, rivaroxaban 15 mg/day, metformin 2 gr/day, levothyroxine sodium 100 µg/day, budesonide/formoterol 400 µg/12 µg twice a day and salbutamol as needed. Rivaroxaban was discontinued and the patient was monitored for extension of the hematoma. Two units of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were administered. She remained hemodynamically stable and hemoglobin values were regularly controlled and showed no significant decrease. After 7 days, she was discharged home with dabigatran at the dose of 110 mg twice a day instead of rivaroxaban.

At her follow-up visit 1 week later, complaints and symptom of hematoma were regressed and her blood counts remained stable.

Discussion

AHA guidelines recommend warfarin evidence level I-A, dabigatran evidence level I-B, rivaroxaban evidence level IIa-B, and apixaban evidence level I-A as preferred agents to prevent the risk of thromboembolism in AF^6,4. Nevertheless, rarely, these drugs can lead to serious haemorrhagic complications. RSH and retroperitoneal haemorrhage are rare but important complications of anticoagulant therapy and there have been rare reported cases developing hemorrhage while receiving rivaroxaban^7,8,9

Although RSH is rare, there is a well-defined pathogenesis, clinic and treatment³. There are superior and inferior epigastric venules along the posterior border of the rectus sheath, Rupture of these vessels or rupture of the rectus abdominis results in RSH⁹. Spontaneous sheath hematomas may occur in elderly humans as the elasticity of the epigastric veins decreases due to atheromatous wall changes¹⁰. Possible risk factors include trauma, rapid and sudden position changes, anticoagulation therapy, new history surgical operation, acute exacerbation of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with cough attacks, injections and pregnancy¹¹. Rectus sheath hematomas are often self-limited, so treatment is conservative. But, surgical treatment is indicated in hematomas that cause hemodynamic disorders and complicated hematomas peritoneal rupture, infection, etc.¹³.

There is no clear antidote to reverse the effects of rivaroxaban. The average terminal half-life of rivaroxaban is 7–11 hours, so conservative treatment for bleeding events will be effective for the majority of patients⁷. Such hematoma treatment involves regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels and, if necessary, supportive treatment based on erythrocyte transfusion. Many studies have shown that prothrombin complex concentration may be useful in reversing the effects of rivaroxaban. Another option would be to use recombinant Factor VIIa to reduce bleeding¹⁴.

It is essential to choose the appropriate patients for treatment with NOACs to reduce the risk of adverse events. Also, the most important point in terms of clinicians is appropriate dose selection in patients for new generation agents; because there is not yet an antidote that can be used when there is major bleeding due to the use of the new generation oral anticoagulant¹⁵. For Rivaroxaban; patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearence) CrCl 15–49, a dose adjustment to 15 mg once daily is recommended, but dose adjustment forbody weight or elderly age is not recommended¹⁵.

We recommend that clinicians choose the appropriate patients, select appropriate dose and become aware of the potential for rare and serious bleeding complications of anticoagulants and identify the need for early recognition and prompt management.

Conflict of interest

None declared.