Upper airway obstruction as a complication of oral anticoagulation therapy. Report of three cases.

While taking orally administered anticoagulants, three patients had hemorrhages into their retropharyngeal and submandibular spaces, suffering eventual acute airway obstruction. One of the patients died. Despite the life-threatening nature of this complication of anticoagulant therapy, the diagnosis was obscure and initially veiled in complaints of sore throat or hoarseness, suggesting infection. Thorough investigation of such complaints is necessary in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. If a hematoma is discovered, the patient should be admitted to the hospital for close observation and prompt reversal of anticoagulation with plasma. Intubation or tracheostomy also may be required.