Managing Superwarfarin Poisoning: A Challenging Case

Human intoxication by long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides, known as superwarfarins, causes coagulopathy that is difficult to manage. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who ingested a toxic dose of rodenticide in a suicide attempt, evolving with epistaxis, INR of 11.6, and needing hospitaliz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista medíca de Chile 2023-06, Vol.151 (6), p.797
Main Authors: Zavadzki, Giovanna, Inzunza Robles, José, San Martín, María Fernanda, Gutiérrez Torres, Waldo, Ramos-Rojas, José Tomás, Gauna-Cordero, Jamil, Bigossi Aguiar, Natalia
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
4-Hydroxycoumarins - poisoning
Adult
Anticoagulants - poisoning
Humans
Male
Rodenticides - poisoning
Suicide, Attempted
Vitamin K - therapeutic use
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Summary:Human intoxication by long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides, known as superwarfarins, causes coagulopathy that is difficult to manage. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who ingested a toxic dose of rodenticide in a suicide attempt, evolving with epistaxis, INR of 11.6, and needing hospitalization. For seven days, serial controls of coagulation tests were carried out, with optimization of different doses of Vitamin K supplementation. The case highlights this type of anticoagulant's potency and prolonged half-life (approximately six weeks), which requires regular clinical control and satisfactory treatment adherence.
ISSN:0717-6163
0717-6163
DOI:10.4067/s0034-98872023000600797