Warfarin-induced chest wall and breast hematoma in an elderly female patient with atrial fibrillation: Original image

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder. Current treaatment guidelines recommend long-term oral anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist, such as warfarin, in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at moderate to high risk of stroke. Bleeding is a common side effect of warfarin. The risk of severe bleeding is a small but definite (1-2% annually) result of warfarin use. Risk of bleeding is augmented if the international normalization ratio (INR) is high. We presented a case with warfarin induced chest wall and breast hematoma, which is a rare condition.