Description
Coughing of blood. The blood usually comes from the lung or the tubes that carry air in the lungs (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles). This disorder is a serious symptom requiring urgent medical attention. Hemoptysis can be caused by many things, including infections, cancers, blood clots, and trauma.
Symptoms
Chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, blood in sputum.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Hospitalization may be recommended. Imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan are commonly performed to evaluate hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy may be recommended to identify the site of bleeding, to biopsy any abnormality seen and, in some cases, to stop the bleeding.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT or PTT), Prothrombin test (PT, INR), Type and screen, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Bronchoscopy
Specialists:
Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Hospitalization may be recommended. Imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan are commonly performed to evaluate hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy may be recommended to identify the site of bleeding, to biopsy any abnormality seen and, in some cases, to stop the bleeding.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT or PTT), Prothrombin test (PT, INR), Type and screen, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Bronchoscopy
Specialists:
Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology
Treatment
The goal of therapy is to stop the bleeding, replace the lost blood if necessary and prevent the patient from breathing the blood into the lungs. Treatment may include: mechanical intubation, bronchoscopy, blood transfusions, and surgery.