Non-traumatic Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Deep Vein Thrombosis and Anticoagulation

Overview

Journal BMJ Case Rep

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2014 Jan 21

PMID 24443334

Citations 4

Authors

Peter Alexander Newman

Sunny Deo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of non-traumatic compartment syndrome in three compartments of the left lower limb in a 57-year-old male inpatient. He had recently been started on anticoagulation therapy for multiple pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis of the left posterior tibial and peroneal veins. Three of the four osteofascial compartments had pressures above 70 mm Hg, hence four compartment fasciotomies were performed. Postoperatively, intravenous heparin therapy was started resulting in a significant blood loss, but he had no neurovascular deficit. At reoperation, for primary wound closure, his tissues looked healthy. Non-traumatic causes of acute compartment syndrome, including deep venous thrombosis and anticoagulation, are considered.

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