Deep vein thrombosis and tuberculosis: a causative link?

Abstract

Pulmonary tuberculosis is very devastating in developing countries and its thrombogenic potential is a disturbing new entity. We report an 18-year-old woman who presented with a first episode of deep vein thrombosis. Pulmonary, hepatic and splenic tuberculosis was diagnosed while looking for secondary causes. The patient was treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol along with low-molecular-weight heparin and antivitamin K. Tuberculosis has several mechanisms that induce a hypercoagulable state and can lead to thromboembolic complications.