HomeCannabis MedicineSevere Vitamin K-dependent Coagulopathy from Rodenticide-contaminated Synthetic Cannabinoids: Emergency Department Presentations

Severe Vitamin K-dependent Coagulopathy from Rodenticide-contaminated Synthetic Cannabinoids: Emergency Department Presentations

June 3, 2023

West J Emerg Med. 2021 Jul 15;22(4):1014-1019. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2021.2.46317.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Synthetic cannabinoids are a rapidly expanding subset of designer drugs widely available in the United States since 2008. In Illinois during the spring of 2018, over 160 documented cases of bleeding and prolonged coagulopathy occurred secondary to contaminated synthetic cannabinoids.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of 38 patients to describe the initial emergency department (ED) presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

RESULTS: Through serum testing we found that three long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides (LAAR) were detected in patients who had inhaled these tainted products: brodifacoum, difenacoum, and bromodialone.

DISCUSSION: This study encompasses the largest ED presentation of LAAR poisoning via the inhalational route known to date.

CONCLUSION: The emergency physician should be aware of the potential for tainted coingestants as the cause of undifferentiated coagulopathy.

PMID:35354010 | PMC:PMC8328164 | DOI:10.5811/westjem.2021.2.46317

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Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.