Document Detail


Bleeding the system: a case of feigned enoxaparin overdose.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19687182     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have become ubiquitously used as anticoagulants because of their comparative safety and ease of use; however they may be fatal if taken in overdose, and lack of familiarity with their pharmacology may hinder appropriate care. OBJECTIVE: The author reports a case of feigned LMWH overdose so as to alert practitioners to this diagnostic possibility. METHOD: This is a case report of a 49-year-old homeless man who reported a deliberate overdose of an injectable LMWH. The author reviews the mechanism of action and monitoring of LMWHs. RESULTS: On the basis of his unusual presentation and previously documented history and medical work-up, he was ultimately diagnosed with malingering. DISCUSSION: Feigned LMWH overdose is ideally suited to the purposes of malingering, since it represents a medical emergency that requires inpatient medical hospitalization and testing at outside laboratory facilities to verify the overdose.
Authors:
Jason P Caplan
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Psychosomatics     Volume:  50     ISSN:  1545-7206     ISO Abbreviation:  Psychosomatics     Publication Date:    2009 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-08-18     Completed Date:  2009-12-07     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376506     Medline TA:  Psychosomatics     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  413-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 222 W. Thomas Rd., Suite 110A, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. jason.caplan@chw.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anticoagulants / poisoning*
Diagnosis, Differential
Enoxaparin / poisoning*
Homeless Persons
Humans
Male
Malingering / diagnosis*,  psychology
Middle Aged
Overdose / diagnosis*,  psychology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anticoagulants; 0/Enoxaparin

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Duloxetine for the treatment of recurrent major depressive disorder in elderly patients: treatment o...
Next Document:  Fatalities associated with clozapine-related constipation and bowel obstruction: a literature review...