Severe calciphylaxis in a renal patient on long-term oral anticoagulant therapy

Am J Nephrol. 1996;16(4):344-8. doi: 10.1159/000169021.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of calciphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition, is not well understood. Several factors such as end-stage renal disease (azotemia), hyperparathyroidism, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia, a high calcium-phosphate product, and the use of steroids and cytotoxic drugs after kidney transplantation are believed to interact in calciphylaxis. Recently, hypercoagulability due to functional protein C deficiency has been suggested to play a pathogenic role in this condition. Here, we present a renal transplant patient, with secondary hyperparathyroidism and on long-term oral anticoagulant therapy, who developed calciphylaxis with severe skin necrosis of her legs. The patient's condition improved dramatically after total parathyroidectomy. Hypercoagulability, therefore, does not appear to have played a significant role in this case of calciphylaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Calciphylaxis / blood
  • Calciphylaxis / etiology*
  • Calciphylaxis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants