Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review

IntroductionRivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is widely used in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Bleeding events during rivaroxaban therapy most commonly include gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage, while spontaneous hemothorax is exceedingly rare. We report a...

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Main Authors: Xiaolong Li, Shuhao Xu, Chunfang Zeng, Ding Han, Xin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1641092/full
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author Xiaolong Li
Shuhao Xu
Chunfang Zeng
Ding Han
Xin Wang
author_facet Xiaolong Li
Shuhao Xu
Chunfang Zeng
Ding Han
Xin Wang
author_sort Xiaolong Li
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionRivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is widely used in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Bleeding events during rivaroxaban therapy most commonly include gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage, while spontaneous hemothorax is exceedingly rare. We report a case of spontaneous hemothorax occurring during rivaroxaban administration.MethodsWe report the case of a patient presenting primarily with dyspnea. The patient had been on long-term oral rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation. Physical examination upon admission revealed diminished breath sounds in the left lung. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated a large left-sided pleural effusion with adjacent pulmonary atelectasis. Laboratory tests indicated significant coagulation abnormalities. After admission, the patient underwent therapeutic thoracentesis and chest tube placement, with bloody pleural fluid observed in the drainage. Due to the marked coagulation abnormalities on admission, the patient received fresh frozen plasma transfusion. Further history-taking revealed recent use of oral fluconazole. A review of the literature suggested that the spontaneous hemothorax might be associated with the concurrent use of rivaroxaban and fluconazole.ResultsFollowing treatment, a follow-up computed tomography scan 3 months later showed no evidence of recurrent hemothorax.DiscussionConcomitant administration of rivaroxaban and fluconazole significantly increases the risk of bleeding events, necessitating clinician vigilance regarding potential drug–drug interactions when formulating therapeutic regimens.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-b4caeaa2775f4770ac1f5375c749d6ce2025-08-20T03:58:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-07-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16410921641092Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature reviewXiaolong Li0Shuhao Xu1Chunfang Zeng2Ding Han3Xin Wang4Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Deyang People’s Hospital, Deyang, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, Deyang People's Hospital, Deyang, ChinaPulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Deyang People’s Hospital, Deyang, ChinaPulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Deyang People’s Hospital, Deyang, ChinaPulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Deyang People’s Hospital, Deyang, ChinaIntroductionRivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is widely used in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Bleeding events during rivaroxaban therapy most commonly include gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage, while spontaneous hemothorax is exceedingly rare. We report a case of spontaneous hemothorax occurring during rivaroxaban administration.MethodsWe report the case of a patient presenting primarily with dyspnea. The patient had been on long-term oral rivaroxaban for atrial fibrillation. Physical examination upon admission revealed diminished breath sounds in the left lung. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated a large left-sided pleural effusion with adjacent pulmonary atelectasis. Laboratory tests indicated significant coagulation abnormalities. After admission, the patient underwent therapeutic thoracentesis and chest tube placement, with bloody pleural fluid observed in the drainage. Due to the marked coagulation abnormalities on admission, the patient received fresh frozen plasma transfusion. Further history-taking revealed recent use of oral fluconazole. A review of the literature suggested that the spontaneous hemothorax might be associated with the concurrent use of rivaroxaban and fluconazole.ResultsFollowing treatment, a follow-up computed tomography scan 3 months later showed no evidence of recurrent hemothorax.DiscussionConcomitant administration of rivaroxaban and fluconazole significantly increases the risk of bleeding events, necessitating clinician vigilance regarding potential drug–drug interactions when formulating therapeutic regimens.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1641092/fullrivaroxabanfluconazolespontaneous hemothoraxdrug–drug interactioncase report
spellingShingle Xiaolong Li
Shuhao Xu
Chunfang Zeng
Ding Han
Xin Wang
Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
Frontiers in Medicine
rivaroxaban
fluconazole
spontaneous hemothorax
drug–drug interaction
case report
title Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
title_full Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
title_fullStr Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
title_short Rivaroxaban-induced spontaneous hemothorax: a rare case report and literature review
title_sort rivaroxaban induced spontaneous hemothorax a rare case report and literature review
topic rivaroxaban
fluconazole
spontaneous hemothorax
drug–drug interaction
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1641092/full
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AT shuhaoxu rivaroxabaninducedspontaneoushemothoraxararecasereportandliteraturereview
AT chunfangzeng rivaroxabaninducedspontaneoushemothoraxararecasereportandliteraturereview
AT dinghan rivaroxabaninducedspontaneoushemothoraxararecasereportandliteraturereview
AT xinwang rivaroxabaninducedspontaneoushemothoraxararecasereportandliteraturereview