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Massive hemoptysis
- Massive hemoptysis is defined by most as the expectoration of > 600 ml in 24 hrs
- Chronic lung inflammatory disease and bronchogenic CA are the most common causes in the US
- TB remains the most common cause worldwide
- The bronchial artery causes approximately 90% of cases
- Get a STAT portable and place the patient in the lateral decubitus position toward the affected side (this is theorectical and has not been proven)
- Options for bleeding control can include endobronchial tamponade methods(pulmonary), bronchial artery embolization (interventional radiology), and emergent surgical resection (surgery)
- Bronchial artery embolization is now the most successful non-surgical treatment of massive hemoptysis