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There are 3 main “categories” of hemoptysis…

Mild, “Streaky” Hemoptysis

  • Most common diagnosis
    • Bronchitis
  • Testing plan
    • Chest xray
      • Rules out alternative causes of hemoptysis
        • Pneumonia
        • Cancer
        • Pulmonary Embolism
        • Vasculitis

Scary but Stable Hemoptysis

  • Patient is coughing up frank blood
  • Testing plan
    • CTA of the chest
    • CBC
    • PTT/PT/INR
    • Electrolytes
      • Need renal function if giving IV contrast

Oh-My-God-That’s-A-Lot-Of-Blood!!!

  • Intubate the patient
  • Consult cardiothoracic surgery/interventional radiology

Additional Reading