Question - Calciphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening syndrome of vascular calcification characterized by occlusion of microvessels in the subcutaneous adipose tissue and dermis that results in intensely painful, ischemic skin lesions. What is the association between calciphylaxis and the use of warfarin?
Answer - The cited reference notes “The use of warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, increases the risk of calciphylaxis by a factor of 3 to 13. About 40 to 50% of patients with ESRD and calciphylaxis and 25% of those with calciphylaxis in the absence of ESRD have been treated with warfarin and warfarin use is also linked with increased mortality among patients with this disease.” (Nigwekar SU et al. Calciphylaxis. 2018 NEJM 378(18):1704-1714.)
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