Best Review of Massive Hemoptysis Dx and Rx
Causes
bleeding from the bronchial rather than the pulmonary circulation causes ~88% of hemoptysis.
Bronchitis
rarely the cause for massive, but most common cause of submassive hemoptysis
dilated bronchial arteries erode during inflammation of airways
always consider lung ca in patients with bronchitis from smoking
Lung Cancer
most common with squamous
Bronchiectasis
abnormal dilation of the bronchi with altered mucociliary clearance, persistent bacterial colonization, chronic inflammation, and submucosal neovascularization. Cover with broad spectrum antibiotics. Cystic Fibrosis has similar pathology and can result in massive bleeding. In this case directed therapy against pseudomonas should be initiated use antipseudomonal penicillin with aminoglycoside.
Tuberculosis
complicates ~25% cases. Often caused by a Rasmussen’s aneurysm, a small outpouching of the pulmonary vasculature within a cavity wall. TB can also result in bronchiectasis and antibiotics are needed if this is the cause of the hemoptysis.
Lung Abscess
anaerobic abscesses in areas of aspiration
Other Pulmonary Infections
massive hemoptysis is only seen with tissue necrosis such as with anaerobic, staphylococcal, and actinomycotic infections. Septic pulmonary embolisms can also trigger bleeding. Invasive aspergillus can be found in COPD patients as well as neutropenic patients. Pulmonary mucormycosis and the other fungal pathogens are also occasionally responsible.
Pulmonary Embolism
as mentioned especially in septic emboli, but any clot can cause bleeding
Less Common:
Aspergillus Fungus Balls
can complicate TB and sarcoidosis
Catamenial Hemoptysis
with the onset of menses, from aberrant endometrial tissue
Rasmussen’s aneurysm
common in TB pts
pulmonary vessel ruptures into cavitary lesion
Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage
multiple causes, but if also renal problems, significantly narrowed differential
may need high dose steroids (Solumedrol 1-2 grams)
Immunologic Lung Disease
Goodpasture’s
Antibasement Membrane Disease
pulmonary hemorrhage and renal disease
after stabilization, need steroids and immunosuppresion
SLE
Wegener’s Granulomatosis
c-ANCA is 97% specific and 85% sensitive
Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis
Immunocompromise
complicates autologous bone marrow transplantation
post transplant
Bleeding Diathesis
Drug Induced
from crack cocaine
Vascular Abnormalities
Aortobronchial
Pulmonary Artery Aneurysms
Arteriovenous Malformations
Trauma
Iatrogenic
catheters and bronchoscopes
Diagnosis
localization is first priority
Get C-XR
May need radionuclide studies or chest ct
Bronchoscopy is the best single test to localize the source of bleeding
Management
150-200 cc can fill a large portion of the bronchial tree
>600 cc in <4 hours associated with huge jump in mortality (71%)
Use the largest possible ET tube
If selective intubation is necessary, remember that right lung intubation will also cut off the right upper lobe To facilitate left lung intubation, place the patient in right lateral decubitus and curving the tube to the left.
Double lumen tubes may be used if available
Endobronchial tamponade with balloon catheters
place the patient with the bleeding lung dependant
If bleeding stops spontaneously, the patient may be managed expectantly. Give cough suppression with codeine
Laser photocoagulation can be used as well as endobronchial infusion fibrinogen-thrombin.
Bronchial artery embolization now is the first step for persistent bleeds be used it was risky with destruction of patency of spinal arteries, but new selective techniques make it fairly safe.
The final step is surgical resection
Management of Massive Hemoptysis Massive hemoptysis is variably defined as expectoration of blood > 100 – 600 mL over 24 hours. Leading etiologies of massive hemoptysis include bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, and bronchogenic carcinoma. Massive hemoptysis places the patient at high risk for asphyxiation and death and since Emergency Physicians encounter such cases infrequently, familiarity with current management options ahead of time is important.
Options for bleeding control can include balloon tamponade via bronchoscopy, bronchial artery embolization (BAE, interventional radiology), and emergent surgical resection. BAE is now the most successful non-surgical treatment of massive hemoptysis, successfully stopping bleeding in > 85% of cases. This angiographic technique involves cannulation of the bronchial artery that supplies the area of hemorrhage and embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles or absorbable gelatin powder (Gelfoam). While surgery remains the only truly definitive therapy, it is best avoided in the acute emergent setting if possible.References: (1) Swanson, KL, et al. Bronchial artery embolization: experience with 54 patients Chest 2002; 121:789. (2) Remy-Jardin, M, et al. Bronchial and Nonbronchial Systemic Arteries at Multi-Detector Row CT Angiography: Comparison with Conventional Angiography Radiology 2004; 233:741. (3) Ashleigh RJ, Webb AK. Radiological intervention for haemoptysis in cystic fibrosis J R Soc Med 2007;100 Suppl 47:38-45. (4) Wong, ML, et al. Percutaneous embolotherapy for life-threatening hemoptysis Chest 2002; 121:95.
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