Open AccessAcquired haemophilia: an easy diagnosis to miss in a patient taking warfarin
Author(s) -
Avraneel Talapatra,
Michael J. Nash,
C. R. M. Hay,
Jecko Thachil
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.14
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0447
Subject(s) - medicine , haemophilia , coagulopathy , warfarin , presentation (obstetrics) , haemophilia a , autoantibody , case presentation , pediatrics , surgery , intensive care medicine , immunology , antibody , atrial fibrillation
Acquired Haemophilia (AH) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder, which despite being rare, can be fatal. It occurs in patients with previously normal haemostasis who spontaneously develop IgG autoantibodies against factor VIII. Unlike congenital haemophilia, it manifests as spontaneous bleeding into skin and soft tissues. The presentation can be masked in patients who are receiving warfarin where the bleeding is often attributed to warfarin therapy, as in the case described in this report. Consideration of AH is important in patients taking anticoagulants, when coagulopathy and bleeding fails to correct with usual measures.