Spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma due to warfarin use: Report of two cases

Abstract

Oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are widely used in many indications, such as pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, prosthetic valves, and persistent atrial fibrillation. Although hemorrhage is a major complication of warfarin, spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma is a very rare condition. Spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma caused by oral anticoagulant therapy is not a life-threathening complication as the other hemorrhagic complications of warfarin use. However, this condition may mimic other reasons of acute abdomen. For this reason, emergency medicine physicans and general surgeons should keep in mind this condition among the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. Herein, we present two surgically treated patients with spontaneous intestinal intramural hematoma.