Flegmasía cerulea dolens. tratamiento con fibrinolisis sistémica / Phlegmasia cerulea dolens. Treatment with systemic fibrinolysis

Resumen La flegmasia cerulea dolens es una complicación rara y poco frecuente de la trombosis venos a profunda. Los principales factores predisponentes son los procesos neoformativos, estados de hiper coagulabilidad, insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva, embarazo, inmovilización prolongada y cirugías. Se caracteriza por edema masivo, dolor intenso y cianosis. Sin tratamiento evoluciona con isquemia, necrosis y amputación del miembro comprometido. No existe consenso en su tratamiento, pero éste debe ser rápido, multidisciplinario y agresivo. La anticoagulación con heparina, la fibrinólisis sistémica, la trombectomía percutánea con fibrinólisis local, la trombectomía quirúrgica, la fasciotomía, la colocación de filtro de vena cava inferior y la amputación son algunos de los tratamientos propuestos.

Abstract Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (FCD) is a rare complication of deep vein thrombosis. Its cause is unknown. The main predisposing factors for the disease are neoformative processes, hypercoagulable states, congestive heart failure, pregnancy, prolonged immobilization, and surgeries on the affected limb. FCD is characterized by massive edema, severe pain, and cyanosis. The diagnosis is clinical. It is associated in most cases with pulmonary embolism and can lead to loss of the compromised limb if not treated in time. So far there is no consensus on its treatment. In clinical practice the use of anticoagulation with heparin, local thrombolysis, systemic fibrinolysis, surgical thrombectomy, fasciotomy, and inferior vena cava filter are described. In irreversible cases amputation is required. We present the case of a patient with FCD, the treatment performed and the evolution.

Incidence and Characteristics of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens. A 17- Year, Descriptive Study in a Third-Level Hospital in Madrid

Introduction: Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) presentsinitially as a triad of pain in the affected limb, oedema andcyanosis. In more advanced cases, venous gangrene, pre-renalshock, arterial insufficiency, and even death. Study objectiveswere to ascertain the incidence of PCD in our hospital, tocompare our patients´ characteristics with those describedin the literature and taper of point of care ultrasound in itsdiagnosisMaterial and methods: This was a retrospective,observational, descriptive study. The study period was fromJuly 24th 2002 to April 30th 2019. It was conducted in a thirdlevel hospital in Madrid, Spain.Results: Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with PCD, 21(63.7%) women and 12 men. Mean and median of age was 72years. Range was from 38 to 89 years. The main associationwas with cancer, in 19 patients (57.5%), and pulmonaryembolism in 9 patients (30%). Our mortality rate was 24%.The incidence of PCD in our study, is about 1:73,000 patients.Conclusion: The incidence of PCD in our hospital was1:73,000. As soon as the clinical suspicion of PCD is raised,early diagnosis and treatment is crucial, with the aim of savingpatient´s lower limb and life. This is the only point where allpublications coincide.

Successful Endovascular Management of Post-Traumatic Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens from Rupture of the External Iliac Vein

We report a rare case of a 47-year-old male with posttraumatic phlegmasia cerulea dolens caused by a ruptured right external iliac vein and treated with an endovascular venous stent graft. The patient was the victim of motor vehicle accident, and suffered direct injuries to the head and abdomen. The patient had a cyanotic and swollen right lower leg. Abdominal and lower extremity computed tomography angiography revealed a large retroperitoneal hematoma caused by a ruptured right external iliac vein, and grade I liver injury. The right external iliac vein rupture was successfully treated with a venous stent graft, followed by inferior vena cava filtering, because a venous thrombus was identified below the stent graft. He initially was hemodynamically unstable but recovered following treatment. The patient was comatose when presenting at the emergency department. He was discharged, fully recovered, on hospital day 18.

Revisión a partir de un caso clínico: flegmasia cerulea dolens / Flegmasia cerulea dolens: clinical case and literature review

La Flegmasia Cerulea Dolens (FCD) es una complicación poco frecuente de la trombosis venosa profunda extensa. Caracterizada por edema masivo, dolor intenso y cianosis. En la trombosis y oclusión aguda de los troncos venosos proximales (ilíacas, vena cava inferior), la congestión puede alcanzar gran severidad, con atrapamiento masivo de líquido intersticial, lo que puede llevar a oliguria y al shock. La extremidad adquiere un aspecto céreo (flegmasia cerulea dolens) por compromiso del drenaje venoso de la extremidad. El aumento de presión intersticial puede llegar a interferir con la perfusión arterial, dando un color pálido (flegmasia alba dolens) e incluso producir isquemia distal en el pie (gangrena venosa), con una alta mortalidad asociada. Hasta el momento, no existe consenso en su tratamiento, la anticoagulación con heparina, trombectomía quirúrgica, terapia trombolítica, fasciotomía y la amputación han sido algunos de los tratamientos propuestos. Presentamos una revisión de flegmasia cerulea dolens en relación a un caso clínico.

The Phlegmasia caerulea dolens (PCD) is an uncommon, severe form of deep venous thrombosis. Characterized by massive edema, severe pain and cyanosis. In the acute thrombosis and occlusion of major venosus channels (iliac and cava inferior) the congestion can reach a massive intersticial fluid secuestration, that can lead to a oliguria and to a shock. The leg acquires a cereo aspect (phlegmasia caerulea dolens) by significantly compromised venous outflow. The increase of the interstitial pressure can interfere with the arterial perfusion, giving a pale color (phlegmasia alba dolens) and can even produce distal ischemia on the foot (venous gangrene), that is a cause of high mortality. Until now, there are no consensus about its treatment. Anticoagulation with heparin, surgical thrombectomy, trombolysis therapy, fasciotomy and amputation had been some of the purposed treatments. We present a review, related to a clinical case, of the Phlegmasia caerulea dolens.

A Case of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens as a Complication Caused by Placement of Inferior Vena Cava Filter / 결핵및호흡기질환

Inferior vena cava filters are increasingly being used as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. However, using an Inferior vena cava filter may result in clinically significant complications. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare disease that presents with acute complete venous occlusion due to extensive thrombosis in the lower extremity. It is characterized by intense pain, edema, decreased pulses and a cyanotic extremity. We report here on a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens that was accompanied with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a complication of the placement of an inferior vena cava filter in a patient who had been previously diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, and the patient had recently developed a cerebral hemorrhage due to a traffic accident.