Late Onset Purple Toe Syndrome With Warfarin Successfully Treated With Fondaparinux

Purple toe syndrome is a rarely reported adverse effect of warfarin. In all described cases, the syndrome occurred relatively quickly after initiation of warfarin with little recommendation for treatment in patients needing continued anticoagulation. We encountered a patient who developed purple toes after 1 year of warfarin therapy. The warfarin was stopped, and fondaparinux was substituted with prompt resolution of all his symptoms. This is the first case describing late onset purple toe syndrome with warfarin with successful substitution with fondaparinux.