Spontaneous omental bleeding in the setting of dual anti-platelet therapy with ticagrelor

Abstract

A 68 year-old man, initially managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the right coronary artery (RCA) for an inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with residual disease requiring coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), re-presented with chest pain. There were no acute ischaemic changes on ECG and his pain settled with nitrates. A day later, he developed left sided abdominal pain and hypovolaemic shock after straining in the toilet. A subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen revealed an omental bleed. He proceeded to emergency laparotomy, recovered well, and was discharged on aspirin and clopidogrel. Apart from dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor, and presumed raised intra-abdominal pressure, there were no other identified risk factors for increased bleeding.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Haemoperitoneum; Haemorrhage; Platelet aggregation inhibitors; Ticagrelor.