Fulminant hepatic venous thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: definition of a medical emergency.

Hepatic venous thrombosis (HVT) should be recognized as a distinct and highly lethal thrombotic complication of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. In a patient with fulminant onset prompt recognition of a triad of clinical, laboratory and liver scan findings facilitated early, aggressive and prolonged heparinization followed by coumadin maintenance, all with good results. Additionally a case of asymptomatic, smoldering HVT was unearthed by liver scan survey and confirmed by hepatic venogram; the patient was started on a regimen of Coumadin (crystalline sodium warfarin, Endo).