Summary

An older female with a history of microscopic polyangiitis underwent haemodialysis through an end-to-side anastomosis between the left basilica vein and brachial artery. During the last haemodialysis session, repeated punctures induced haemorrhage that required brachial compression. Twenty min posthaemodialysis, haemorrhage had expanded from the axilla to the left lateral thorax. Autopsy disclosed axillary haematoma. The haemorrhage was not derived from punctured vessels or the left axillary artery. Although neither an alveolar nor a glomerular microscopic polyangiitis lesion was detected, fragility of the axillary small vessels due to microscopic polyangiitis, ageing, atherosclerosis and steroid therapy were underlying factors in the haematoma. Aspirin and heparin may have promoted haemorrhage, while shunt vessel stenosis with disturbed flow may have increased the axillary vessel pressure when the shunt vessels were compressed for haemostasis. This is the first report of a death due to haemorrhage from ruptured axillary vessels related to haemodialysis or microscopic polyangiitis.