Severe Coagulopathy Associated With Unintentional Salicylate Intoxication in a Postsurgical Patient

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is administered to treat pericarditis and postpericardiotomy syndrome; however, even therapeutic doses of aspirin can cause chronic intoxication, resulting in severe coagulopathy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic salicylate intoxication is challenging to diagnose owing to nonspecific symptoms, and treatment is often delayed. Chronic intoxication should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained coagulopathy in patients taking aspirin.