Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens: A New Perspective on Management.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2021
Abstract
This is a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) with unexpected but complete resolution of symptoms with short-term administration of heparin products, despite falling into category IIb according to the Rutherford limb ischemia scale, which regularly requires aggressive surgical intervention. We present a case of a 58-year-old Hispanic female with a past medical history of gastritis who arrived at the emergency room (ER) with acute onset severe pain on the left leg associated with discoloration of the leg. The patient was quickly diagnosed with PCD affecting the left lower extremity, which quickly resolved after administration of heparin infusion for one hour, despite the degree of limb ischemia. There is no consensus for the treatment of this condition. The most interesting feature of this case is the prompt resolution of symptoms with short-term administration of anticoagulation with total resolution without the need for thrombolysis or thrombectomy. This may suggest that prompt pharmacologic treatment in patients eligible for anticoagulation may successfully restore venous flow negating the need for further intervention.
Volume
13
Issue
7
First Page
16257
Last Page
16257
ISSN
2168-8184
Published In/Presented At
Sequeira Gross, H. G., Jimenez, Y., Ciobanu, C., Tarekegn, K., Colon Ramos, A., & Lazar, J. (2021). Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens: A New Perspective on Management. Cureus, 13(7), e16257. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.16257
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
34373818
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article