Abstract
Warfarin potassium is an oral anticoagulant that can reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, however, it increases the risk of hemorrhage. We experienced a case which showed significant airway narrowing of a hematoma of the laryngeal submucosa due to the effect of excessive Warfain potassium. The case was an 80-year-old male. He had taken warfarin potassium to prevent the development of an embolism due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. He came to our hospital complaining of bloody sputum in March 2009. Because we observed significant swelling of his bilateral arytenoids due to a submucous hematoma, we performed an emergency tracheostomy. By administering a warfarin potassium cancelling agent and vitamin K, the laryngeal swelling thereafter gradually improved, and the tracheostoma could be closed.
