A case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage developing after open heart surgery

: A 47-year-old man was receiving anticoagulant therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve plasty. A chest roentgenogram disclosed alveolar infiltrates throughout both lung fields 6 months postoperatively. Lung biopsy specimens showed the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the alveolar spaces, establishing a diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Anticoagulant therapy may have caused the hemorrhage, because the patient had no immunologic disorder or renal disease. The shadows completely disappeared after steroid therapy and discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage should be considered, when extensive infiltrates develop on chest roentgenogram in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy after open heart surgery. Lung biopsy is essential, when a bronchoalveolar lavage fails to diagnose the disease.