Open AccessDiffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with low molecular weight heparin
Author(s) -
Hayashi Shinichi,
Maruoka Shuichiro,
Nakagawa Yoshiko,
Takahashi Noriaki,
Hashimoto Shu
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.3
Subject(s) - medicine , diffuse alveolar hemorrhage , low molecular weight heparin , heparin , etiology , surgery , anesthesia , acute respiratory failure , respiratory failure , mechanical ventilation
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage ( DAH ) has a varied etiology, including anticoagulation drugs. There is conflicting evidence whether low molecular weight heparin ( LMWH ) has a low risk of bleeding complications compared to unfractionated heparin. We report here a case of DAH in a 74‐year‐old woman who was administered enoxaparin, a LMWH , after bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Although congestive heart failure after blood transfusion and fluid infusion could in part be associated with the bleeding, LMWH may be a major cause of DAH since the patient quickly recovered after its cessation. DAH should be of concern when acute respiratory failure with ground‐glass shadow develops in both lungs during anticoagulation therapy with LMWH .