Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage: An Unexpected Effect After Taking Acetylsalicylic Acid

Cureus. 2022 Jan 22;14(1):e21486. doi: 10.7759/cureus.21486. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare, acute, and life-threatening condition that in most cases is associated with pulmonary-renal syndromes, connective tissue disorders, infections, and drugs. We report a case of a 45-year-old male who developed a diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage after taking 500 mg of acetylsalicylic acid for a month in the context of acute lower back pain. The prolonged use of this acetylsalicylic acid dose led to an increased risk of bleeding. This report describes a rare bleeding site that clinicians should be aware of when managing patients who were exposed to prolonged high dose acetylsalicylic acid.

Keywords: acetylsalicylic acid; antiplatelet therapy; diffuse alveolar hemorrhage; dyspnea; hemoptysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports