Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

Öz

Rivaroxaban associated spontaneous hemothorax
Rivaroxaban is a highly selective direct thrombin inhibitor indicated in stroke prevention, non-valvular atrial fibrilation, treatment of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism and VTE after elective hip/knee replacement surgery and secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome. Hemorrhage is the major concern of the drug use. Subdural hematoma, cerebral hemorrhage, GIS hemorrhage, and also intra-articular bleeding has been published in postmarketing reports. Here, we report a case of spontaneous hemothorax under rivaroxaban treatment.
A 73-year-old of man was consulted due to acute dyspnea and palpitation. His x-ray pulmonary images and thorax computed tomography were compatible with hemothorax, consequently, we performed thoracentesis, and macroscopic appearance, cell count revealed hemothorax. There was no sign of any disease, such as low pleural fluid pH and glucose, leucocytic dominance, dysplastic cell, which would indicate an another cause of the bleeding. He was taking rivaroxaban (15 mg Daily) due to chronic atrial fibrillation. Hemorrhage was drained and the drug was cessated. Hemothorax did not relapse in the three month-follow-up periods.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a member of new anticoagulant drug class and has become favorable in the patient carrying systemic embolism risk with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It has predictable pharmacokinetics features, fewer food interactions, bleeding risk, and contrast to warfarin it does not need frequent INR monitoring. Despite promising features, serious hemorrhagic complications have been reported and bleeding risk is still its major challenge in clinical use. Cases of subdural hematoma, cerebral hemorrhage, GIS hemorrhage, and also intra-articular bleeding has been published (1). Hemothorax was assumed as a rare complication until recently published case reports (2, 3). Here, we announce our case to keep in mind that rivaroxaban is a cause of spontaneous hemothorax, as not uncommonly