Thoracic embolotherapy for life-threatening haemoptysis: a pulmonologist's perspective.
Haemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract and is life-threatening when blood obstructs the major airway causing asphyxiation. This may occur in the presence or absence of pre-existing compromised pulmonary reserve and medical comorbidities. Life-threatening haemoptysis is a relatively common clinical situation encountered by pulmonologists and thoracic embolotherapy is a key therapeutic option. Although thoracic embolotherapy primarily involves bronchial arterial embolization, it also encompasses embolization of non-bronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary arterial supply. A pulmonologist's perspective on this topic is presented. Pertinent areas related to this theme, namely surgery and the role of bronchoscopy in life-threatening haemoptysis are discussed briefly.
Hsu
Anne A L
AA
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. gm3halsgh.com.sg
D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors