Nutritional management of a patient with obesity and pulmonary embolism: a case report. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fonte, Maria; Fietchner, Lauren; Manuelli, Matteo; Cena, Hellas
• Is Part Of: Nutrition journal. Volume 15:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Obesity -- Pulmonary embolism -- Nutrition -- Vitamin K -- Nutritional assessment -- Diet; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 612.305
• DOI: 10.1186/s12937-016-0202-9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-2891

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of this case report is to discuss the issue of nutritional therapy in patients taking warfarin. Patients are often prescribed vitamin K free diets without nutritional counseling, leading to possible health consequences. Case presentation A 52-year-old woman with obesity and hypertension was prescribed a low calorie diet by her family doctor in an effort to promote weight loss. After a pulmonary embolism, she was placed on anticoagulant therapy and on hospital discharge she was prescribed a vitamin K free diet to avoid interactions. Given poor control of her anticoagulant therapy, she was referred to our Nutritional Unit outpatients' service. Conclusions This case illustrates the importance of a thorough medical nutrition assessment in the management of patients with obesity and the need for a change in the dietary approach of nutritional therapy in the management of vitamin K anticoagulant therapy. In patients taking warfarin, evidence suggest that the aim of nutritional therapy should be to keep dietary intake of vitamin K constant.