Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine

A Rare Complication Related with Oral Anticoagulant (Warfarin) Use: Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage (above 65 Years 4 Case Reports)

Abstract

Serap Duru, Bahar Kurt, Merve Yumrukuz and Esra Erdemir

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) caused by immune and non-immune etiological factors, characterized by diffuse alveolar consolidation often presents with the clinical triad of dyspnea, hemoptysis, anemia, as a result of the distruption of the alveolocapillary membrane of the lung. We aimed to present above 65 yaears 4 cases followed in our clinic with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage as a rare complication of uncontrolled use of anticoagulant (warfarin) therapy. The cases was diagnosed as diffuse alveoler hemorrahage based on clinical, radiological and bronghoscopic data. After warfarin treatment was withdrawn, clinical and radiological signs recovered rapidly and the existent situation was thought to be DAH related with warfarin use after excluding other reasons. We think that the current cases is a rare disease of warfarin therapy leading to DAH.