Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage represents a medical emergency, and clinicians must have an expedient approach to its identification. There are many causes of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, including vasculitides, immunologic conditions such as Goodpasture's syndrome, collagen vascular disease, and idiopathic conditions. Careful attention to the medical history, physical examination, and targeted laboratory evaluation often suggests the underlying cause. Patients in whom the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage remains uncertain should undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy. In patients with evidence of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and renal involvement, kidney biopsy should be considered to identify the underlying cause and help direct therapy.
Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East 9th Avenue, C272, Denver, CO 80262, USA. hal.collard@uchsc.edu
Harold R
HR
Collard
Marvin I
MI
Schwarz
D019867:Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli