Main Points
- Most hemoptysis is not massive, but true massive hemoptysis is a medical emergency and patients die from asphyxiation.
- Top 3 causes of massive hemoptysis are cancer, bronchiectasis and TB.
- 3 principles of management:
(1) maintain airway patency and oxygenation
(2) localize the source of bleeding and protect good lung
(3) control hemorrhage
References
Yendamuri S. Massive Airway Hemorrhage. Thorac Surg Clin. 2015 Aug; 25(3):255-60
Larici AR, Franchi P, Occhipinti M, Contegiacomo A, del Ciello A, Calandriello L, Storto ML, Marano R, Bonomo L. Diagnosis and management of hemoptysis. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2014 Jul-Aug; 20(4):299-309
Dr. Fayez Kheir is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and the Co-Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Tulane University Medical Center. Dr. Kheir completed his fellowship training at Tulane in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in 2013, subsequently joining the Tulane faculty as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine. He completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research and Medical Education Scholars Program. He is a member of the American College of Chest physicians, American Thoracic Society and American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. His clinical and research interests include thoracic and critical care ultrasound use, medical education, pleural disease, and guideline methodology