Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review

Key Clinical Message The occurrence of terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients is a rare but serious adverse event that warrants further investigation. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication in cirrhotic patients receiving terlipressin therapy and closely monitor...

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Main Authors: Ashraf I. Ahmed, Muhammad Zain Kaleem, Shahem Abbarh, Haider Hussein Barjas, Abdellatif Ismail, Mhd Kutaiba Albuni, Bisher Sawaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-10-01
Series:Clinical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9141
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author Ashraf I. Ahmed
Muhammad Zain Kaleem
Shahem Abbarh
Haider Hussein Barjas
Abdellatif Ismail
Mhd Kutaiba Albuni
Bisher Sawaf
author_facet Ashraf I. Ahmed
Muhammad Zain Kaleem
Shahem Abbarh
Haider Hussein Barjas
Abdellatif Ismail
Mhd Kutaiba Albuni
Bisher Sawaf
author_sort Ashraf I. Ahmed
collection DOAJ
description Key Clinical Message The occurrence of terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients is a rare but serious adverse event that warrants further investigation. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication in cirrhotic patients receiving terlipressin therapy and closely monitor for any signs of skin necrosis. Early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial in preventing further complications and improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand the risk factors associated with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis and to develop effective preventive strategies. Overall, healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing terlipressin to cirrhotic patients, weighing the potential benefits against the risks of this rare but significant adverse event. Abstract Terlipressin is commonly used to manage conditions related to portal hypertension, such as hepatorenal syndrome and esophageal variceal bleeding. Despite its therapeutic benefits, terlipressin can rarely lead to severe ischemic complications involving the skin vasculature, known as terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. We present a 50‐year‐old male with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding who developed skin necrosis following terlipressin administration. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature by analyzing 18 case reports/case series comprising 22 cirrhotic patients with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. Among these individuals, we found a mean age of 51 years with a male predominance (78%). Further analysis showed that the onset of skin necrosis ranged from 2 to 5 days post‐terlipressin initiation, with bolus administration being predominant (85.7%). The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of terlipressin‐induced skin ischemia are still elusive but primarily attributed to the vasoconstrictive and thrombogenic effects. Management involves terlipressin discontinuation and supportive care. Physicians should be aware of this potential complication in patients receiving terlipressin and closely observe for any signs of skin rash.
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spelling doaj-art-6a31caa0679049cdac3a610e46689fb92025-08-20T01:54:16ZengWileyClinical Case Reports2050-09042024-10-011210n/an/a10.1002/ccr3.9141Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature reviewAshraf I. Ahmed0Muhammad Zain Kaleem1Shahem Abbarh2Haider Hussein Barjas3Abdellatif Ismail4Mhd Kutaiba Albuni5Bisher Sawaf6College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University Doha QatarCollege of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University Doha QatarDepartment of Internal Medicine Hamad Medical Corporation Doha QatarDepartment of Internal Medicine Hamad Medical Corporation Doha QatarDepartment of Internal Medicine University of Maryland Medical Center‐Midtown Campus Baltimore Maryland USADepartment of Internal Medicine Trihealth Good Samaritan Hospital Cincinnati Ohio USADepartment of Internal Medicine Hamad Medical Corporation Doha QatarKey Clinical Message The occurrence of terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients is a rare but serious adverse event that warrants further investigation. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication in cirrhotic patients receiving terlipressin therapy and closely monitor for any signs of skin necrosis. Early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial in preventing further complications and improving patient outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand the risk factors associated with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis and to develop effective preventive strategies. Overall, healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing terlipressin to cirrhotic patients, weighing the potential benefits against the risks of this rare but significant adverse event. Abstract Terlipressin is commonly used to manage conditions related to portal hypertension, such as hepatorenal syndrome and esophageal variceal bleeding. Despite its therapeutic benefits, terlipressin can rarely lead to severe ischemic complications involving the skin vasculature, known as terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. We present a 50‐year‐old male with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding who developed skin necrosis following terlipressin administration. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature by analyzing 18 case reports/case series comprising 22 cirrhotic patients with terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis. Among these individuals, we found a mean age of 51 years with a male predominance (78%). Further analysis showed that the onset of skin necrosis ranged from 2 to 5 days post‐terlipressin initiation, with bolus administration being predominant (85.7%). The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of terlipressin‐induced skin ischemia are still elusive but primarily attributed to the vasoconstrictive and thrombogenic effects. Management involves terlipressin discontinuation and supportive care. Physicians should be aware of this potential complication in patients receiving terlipressin and closely observe for any signs of skin rash.https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9141esophageal variceal bleedesophageal variceshepatorenal syndromeskin necrosisterlipressinupper gastrointestinal bleeding
spellingShingle Ashraf I. Ahmed
Muhammad Zain Kaleem
Shahem Abbarh
Haider Hussein Barjas
Abdellatif Ismail
Mhd Kutaiba Albuni
Bisher Sawaf
Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
Clinical Case Reports
esophageal variceal bleed
esophageal varices
hepatorenal syndrome
skin necrosis
terlipressin
upper gastrointestinal bleeding
title Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
title_full Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
title_fullStr Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
title_full_unstemmed Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
title_short Terlipressin‐induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients—A case report and comprehensive literature review
title_sort terlipressin induced skin necrosis in cirrhotic patients a case report and comprehensive literature review
topic esophageal variceal bleed
esophageal varices
hepatorenal syndrome
skin necrosis
terlipressin
upper gastrointestinal bleeding
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9141
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