Recurrence of Pulmonary Embolism in a patient using Rivaroxaban: Attention to Nephrotic Syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i4.47866Keywords:
Nephrotic syndrome, Membranous glomerulonephritis, Pulmonary embolism, Direct oral anticoagulants, Warfarin.Abstract
Nephrotic syndrome is a disease associated with thromboembolic events, including pulmonary thromboembolism. According to guidelines such as KDIGO, these patients benefit from the use of anticoagulants for prevention and treatment, with warfarin being the most recommended. The use of novel oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been increasingly expanding in clinical practice; however, their administration remains controversial in the literature for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events in individuals diagnosed with glomerulopathies. The objective of this article is to present a case report of a patient who was hospitalized in a tertiary hospital due to a pulmonary thromboembolism and was discharged on rivaroxaban therapy. The patient was readmitted one month after discharge due to worsening dyspnea associated with ventilator-dependent pain. A new angiotomography showed the presence of new areas of pulmonary infarction, despite being on therapeutic anticoagulation with rivaroxaban. On physical examination, symmetrical and painless edema of the lower limbs up to the knees was noted. During the investigation of the triggering factor, a 24-hour proteinuria test was requested, revealing 12g/24 hours, and anti-PLA2R positivity, confirming the diagnosis of primary membranous glomerulopathy.
Downloads
References
Agarwal, M., Sharma, K. K., Bharti, N., & Deokar, K. (2022). Nephrotic syndrome leading to recurrent pulmonary embolism: A report of two cases. Acta Biomedica, 93(1), e2022024.
Akimoto, T., Yamazaki, T., Kusano, E., & Nagata, D. (2016). Therapeutic dilemmas regarding anticoagulation: An experience in a patient with nephrotic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and traumatic brain injury. Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports, 9, 103-107.
Al-Azzawi, H. F., Obi, O. C., Safi, J., & Song, M. (2016). Nephrotic syndrome-induced thromboembolism in adults. International Journal of Critical Illness and Injury Science, 6(2), 85–88.
Chaudesaygues, E., Grasse, M., Marchand, L., Villar, E., & Aupetit, J. F. (2014). Embolie pulmonaire révélant un syndrome néphrotique: À propos de quatre cas. Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angéiologie, 63(5), 385-388.
De Pascali, F., Brunini, F., Rombolà, G., & Squizzato, A. (2024). Efficacy and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Internal Medicine Journal, 54(2), 214–223.
Dupree, L. H., & Reddy, P. (2014). Use of rivaroxaban in a patient with a history of nephrotic syndrome and hypercoagulability. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 48(12), 1655-1658.
Fraisse, C., Nouvier, M., Lainez, S., Nesme, P., Ernesto, S., & Devouassoux, G. (2017). Embolie pulmonaire révélant un syndrome néphrotique. Revue des Maladies Respiratoires, 34(7), 765-769.
Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Glomerular Diseases Work Group. (2021). KDIGO 2021 clinical practice guideline for the management of glomerular diseases. Kidney International, 100(4S), S1-S276.
Kelddal, S., Nykjær, K. M., Gregersen, J. W., & Birn, H. (2019). Prophylactic anticoagulation in nephrotic syndrome prevents thromboembolic complications. BMC Nephrology, 20(1), 139.
Kumar, M., Malhotra, A., Gupta, S., & Singh, R. (2017). Thromboembolic complications at the onset of nephrotic syndrome. Sudan Journal of Pediatrics, 17(2), 60-63.
Laslandes, M., Connault, J., Nicolet, L., Ternisien, C., Grégoire, M., Ville, S., Dantal, J., & Masset, C. (2023). Monitoring the activity of direct oral anticoagulants in a patient with severe nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism: Lessons for the clinical nephrologist. Journal of Nephrology, 36(1), 237-239.
Leslom, A. N., Alrawiah, Z. M. S., Al-Asmari, A. M. A., Alqashaneen, M. D. A., Alahmari, A. O. T., & Al-Ahmari, H. O. B. T. (2020). Prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism in nephrotic syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(2), 497-501.
Mohamed, H. N., Bashir, A. M., & Mohamed, Y. G. (2022). Multiple venous and pulmonary artery thrombosis as a presenting complaint of nephrotic syndrome: Case report and challenges in management. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 18, 589-593
Pereira, A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [free e-book]. Editora UAB/NTE/UFSM.
Shi, H. K., Chook, S., Leow, L., Lim, S. L., Ramanathan, K., Kofidis, T., & Kang, G. S. (2021). Massive pulmonary embolism in a patient with nephrotic syndrome and single lung. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 52(2), 680-682.
Shinkawa, K., Yoshida, S., Seki, T., Yanagita, M., & Kawakami, K. (2020). Risk factors of venous thromboembolism in patients with nephrotic syndrome: A retrospective cohort study. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. Advance online publication.
Song, Z., Wu, H., Cao, H., Tang, M., Yang, S., & Qin, L. (2018). Nephrotic syndrome with acute pulmonary embolism in young adults: Two case reports. Medicine (Baltimore), 97(29), e11495. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000011495
Toassi, R. F. C. & Petry, P. C. (2021). Metodologia científica aplicada à área da Saúde. (2. ed.). Editora da UFRGS.
Van Meerhaeghe, T., Cez, A., Dahan, K., Esteve, E., Elalamy, I., Boffa, J. J., & Ponlot, E. (2022). Apixaban prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with nephrotic syndrome. TH Open, 6(4), e299-e303.
Wright, F., & Gilchrist, M. (2023). Nephrotic syndrome: Delays in diagnosis and a cause of pulmonary embolism not to miss. British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London), 84(5), 1-4.
Yang, Y., Lv, J., Zhou, F., Chen, M., Wang, R., Zhao, M., & Wang, H. (2014). Risk factors of pulmonary thrombosis/embolism in nephrotic syndrome. American Journal of Medical Sciences, 348(5), 394-398.
Zhang, L. J., Zhang, Z., Li, S. J., Meinel, F. G., Nance, J. W. Jr, Zhou, C. S., Zhao, Y. E., Schoepf, U. J., & Lu, G. M. (2014). Pulmonary embolism and renal vein thrombosis in patients with nephrotic syndrome: Prospective evaluation of prevalence and risk factors with CT. Radiology, 273(3), 897-906.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Cinthya Martins de Loiola Costa; Fabrício André Martins da Costa; George Cavalcante Dantas

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.