phenprocoumon and Liver-Failure--Acute

Except for bleeding complications, other serious adverse reactions of coumarin anticoagulants such as hepatotoxicity or skin necrosis are comparatively rare. Nonetheless, a small number of coumarin-induced (sub-) acute liver failures has been published.. A retrospective analysis was performed of patients treated for liver disease between 1992 and 2002 at our department to evaluate the incidence, clinical findings and histopathology of coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity.. The retrospective analysis revealed eight cases of phenprocoumon-induced hepatotoxicity, including three cases of (sub-) acute liver failure which resulted in two orthotopic liver transplantations and one fatal outcome. Five patients with phenprocoumon-induced hepatitis recovered well after anticoagulation was switched to another coumarin derivate or subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin. In all patients liver injury was predominantly of an hepatitic type. In the cases of (sub-) acute liver failure massive confluent liver cell necroses were histologically present, whereas among patients without liver failure mild portal to moderate active lobular hepatitis were observed. A retrospective analysis by BfArM (German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) revealed 4390 cases of possible phenprocoumon-related adverse reactions since 1990, 2% of which had presented with hepatitis and 0.2% with liver failure.. Phenprocoumon-induced liver disease is an uncommon complication, which can, however, cause (sub-) acute liver failure.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Anticoagulants; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Female; Germany; Humans; Liver Failure, Acute; Male; Middle Aged; Phenprocoumon; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index

We report on three women with phenprocoumon-induced liver failure. In all three, jaundice was the main symptom. Liver failure was manifest 6 months after initial exposure to phenprocoumon in two women and 18 months in the third. None received corticosteroids. The course was prolonged in each patient, but all three finally recovered. Liver failure associated with oral anticoagulation is rare. Most published reports describe only individual cases. Instances of fatal outcome and instances requiring liver transplantation for survival have been seen. Coumarin treatment should be considered as a possible etiology of acute liver failure, even if the drug has been administered for a longer period without any previous problems. While cross-reactions with other coumarin substances have been reported, if coumarin anticoagulation is absolutely required, use of a congener under close monitoring seems justifiable.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Biopsy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Liver; Liver Failure, Acute; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Middle Aged; Phenprocoumon; Radiography, Abdominal; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed