Active Exsanguination Behind a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnostic Label: A Quadruple-Hit Cardiorenal Collapse Following Ambulatory Urological Care.
- 1Emergency Department, Broomfield Hospital, Broomfield, GBR.
Abstract
We report the case of a 95-year-old man with a previous history of myocardial infarction, pulmonary oedema, and hypertension who developed recurrent collapse while undergoing ambulatory urological follow-up for a six-week history of macroscopic haematuria. Following a recent outpatient review, he had received oral antibiotics for a presumed urinary tract infection (UTI). Throughout this six-week ambulatory period, no full blood count or other blood tests were performed, leaving the extent of blood loss and its haematological consequences clinically occult. The patient subsequently experienced three episodes of sudden collapse within one week at home. The episodes were preceded by a prodrome of marked weakness. On assessment by ambulance clinicians, a profound postural blood-pressure drop was identified. Given the postural component and presumed recent urinary infection, dehydration was considered the initial explanation, and intravenous fluid resuscitation was commenced. However, hospital point-of-care investigations substantially changed the diagnostic picture. Venous blood gas analysis demonstrated a haemoglobin concentration consistent with profound anaemia. ECG demonstrated a right bundle branch block, left axis deviation, and a prolonged PR interval, indicating significant conduction-system disease in the context of previous ischaemic myocardial injury. Serum biochemistry demonstrated elevated creatinine and urea, alongside a severely reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, consistent with severe renal dysfunction. Venous blood gas analysis further showed a low pH and elevated lactate, indicating significant metabolic acidosis. The clinical picture suggested an interaction between severe blood-loss anaemia, impaired cardiovascular compensatory reserve, postural haemodynamic stress, and renal hypoperfusion. Severe anaemia substantially reduces arterial oxygen content, necessitating compensatory increases in cardiac output and oxygen extraction. When cardiovascular reserve is already compromised, this compensation may be inadequate. Emergency packed red blood cell transfusion and careful fluid-volume optimisation were undertaken. Given the recurrent collapse and significant conduction abnormalities, an urgent cardiology transfer was arranged for permanent pacemaker insertion. Severe renal dysfunction prompted urgent nephrology involvement and transfer.
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BibTeX
@article{oo2026active,
title = {{Active Exsanguination Behind a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnostic Label: A Quadruple-Hit Cardiorenal Collapse Following Ambulatory Urological Care.}},
author = {Wutt Oo},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.118182},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899245},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Active Exsanguination Behind a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnostic Label: A Quadruple-Hit Cardiorenal Collapse Following Ambulatory Urological Care.
AU - Wutt Oo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.118182
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899245
AB - We report the case of a 95-year-old man with a previous history of myocardial infarction, pulmonary oedema, and hypertension who developed recurrent collapse while undergoing ambulatory urological follow-up for a six-week history of macroscopic haematuria. Following a recent outpatient review, he had received oral antibiotics for a presumed urinary tract infection (UTI). Throughout this six-week ambulatory period, no full blood count or other blood tests were performed, leaving the extent of blood loss and its haematological consequences clinically occult. The patient subsequently experienced three episodes of sudden collapse within one week at home. The episodes were preceded by a prodrome of marked weakness. On assessment by ambulance clinicians, a profound postural blood-pressure drop was identified. Given the postural component and presumed recent urinary infection, dehydration was considered the initial explanation, and intravenous fluid resuscitation was commenced. However, hospital point-of-care investigations substantially changed the diagnostic picture. Venous blood gas analysis demonstrated a haemoglobin concentration consistent with profound anaemia. ECG demonstrated a right bundle branch block, left axis deviation, and a prolonged PR interval, indicating significant conduction-system disease in the context of previous ischaemic myocardial injury. Serum biochemistry demonstrated elevated creatinine and urea, alongside a severely reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, consistent with severe renal dysfunction. Venous blood gas analysis further showed a low pH and elevated lactate, indicating significant metabolic acidosis. The clinical picture suggested an interaction between severe blood-loss anaemia, impaired cardiovascular compensatory reserve, postural haemodynamic stress, and renal hypoperfusion. Severe anaemia substantially reduces arterial oxygen content, necessitating compensatory increases in cardiac output and oxygen extraction. When cardiovascular reserve is already compromised, this compensation may be inadequate. Emergency packed red blood cell transfusion and careful fluid-volume optimisation were undertaken. Given the recurrent collapse and significant conduction abnormalities, an urgent cardiology transfer was arranged for permanent pacemaker insertion. Severe renal dysfunction prompted urgent nephrology involvement and transfer.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -