Subconjunctival hemorrhage in a patient on dabigatran (Pradaxa)

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor that has gained increasing popularity for prevention of thromboembolic events such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial ischemia. Because of the increasing use of this drug, emergency department (ED) physicians are going to be evaluating patients taking this medication. It is important to understand the potential for ocular bleeding complications associated with this class of anticoagulant. Traditionally, patients have been placed on vitamin K antagonists to decrease the risk of thromboembolism. In the RE-LY and RE-COVER studies, dabigatran showed non-inferiority to coumadin in atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolic events . Ocular hemorrhage was noted in the studies, but it did not threaten patients’ vision and was classified as minor bleeding . In this case report, we describe a patient on dabigatran, who presented with acute bleeding from a non-traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhage of the left eye.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research