Management of severe hemoptysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Though rare, severe hemoptysis (SH) is associated with a mortality rate exceeding 50% when not managed properly.

Areas covered: This paper reviews the recent epidemiological data regarding SH, the role of multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA), and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in its management, as well as the value of current treatments.

Expert commentary: MDCTA is becoming an essential modality, since it allows determining the location, etiology, and mechanism of the bleeding. FOB can be delayed, except when local control of bleeding is required. Emergency treatment relies on interventional radiology. Both bronchial and non-bronchial arteries should be explored during bronchial arteriography. Surgery must be considered in all operable patients if the cause of hemoptysis persists.

KEYWORDS:

• Severe hemoptysis
• treatment
• multidetector computed tomography angiography
• fiberoptic bronchoscopy
• bronchial artery embolization

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by others.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.