Management of hemoptysis in a Third World city hospital: a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Massive hemoptysis (defined as blood loss greater than 600 ml/24h) is said to have a fatal outcome in up to 85% of patients when managed only medically.


METHODS
A retrospective patient chart study was undertaken to analyse underlying pathology, management and outcome of hemoptysis patients in a hospital with no thoracic surgical, bronchoscopic or embolisation facilities.


RESULTS
63 patients were admitted for hemoptysis during a 2.5 year study period. Tuberculosis and sequelae of previous tuberculosis accounted for 65% of the cases. The patients with expectoration of more than 600 ml/24h had a shorter duration of hemoptysis (P = 0.033) and more often a history of tuberculosis (P = 0.023). The mortality rate was 6% (4/63 patients). Recurrent bleeding was not frequent (11%) and never severe enough for admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemoptysis in a Third World city hospital is mainly caused by infectious disease. Under the above-mentioned circumstances, in view of a low mortality and recurrence rate, conservative treatment of hemoptysis in in-patients seems justified.
van Kralingen
K W
KW
Department of Pulmonology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Kralingen-Heijboer
A C
AC
Zimmerman
M
M
Postmus
P E
PE
D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications