Vascular calcifications and calciphylaxis in a patient on concurrent haemodialysis and Coumadin therapy

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a rare life-threatening condition, with calcification of small and medium-sized vessels leading to skin necrosis. It has a high morbidity and mortality, and most of the patients die from wound superinfection and sepsis. A 48-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis and Coumadin therapy for venous thromboembolism presented with pulmonary oedema after missing two haemodialysis treatment. At examination, he had bilateral lower extremity dark brown, possibly necrotic, painful ulcers. He was diagnosed with calciphylaxis and treated with sevelamer hydrochloride, low calcium dialysate and sodium thiosulfate with haemodialysis. He received daily wound care with topical collagenase. After daily wound care treatment for 4 months, the patient’s ulcers completely healed. The patient had been followed for 8 months, which included 29 additional readmissions, 3 admissions related to bacteraemia and 26 admissions with the diagnosis of pulmonary oedema and hyperkalaemia requiring haemodialysis.