title: [Clinical experiences of bronchopleural fistula-related fatal hemoptysis after the resection of lung cancer: a report of 7 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Massive hemoptysis was a rare but severe postoperative complication of lung cancer. The aim of the present study is to investigate the mechanisms, risk factors, early symptoms, prevention, and treatment options for fatal hemoptysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2007 to May 2011, 1,737 patients with lung cancer were surgically treated in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Twenty patients died during the perioperative period, seven of whom died of massive hemoptysis. These seven cases were analyzed, and their clinical data, as well as related literatures, were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Massive hemoptysis is the second cause of death after lung cancer surgery. Six patients died directly of massive hemoptysis. One patient underwent secondary surgery because of massive hemoptysis, but eventually died because of lung infection and respiratory failure. Early symptoms of hemorrhage were observed in four cases, and the overall incidence rate of massive hemoptysis was 0.4% (7/1,737).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchovascular ﬁstula (BVF) caused by bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is the mechanism for massive hemoptysis. Diabetes is a high risk factor. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of BPF or BVF can prevent the occurrence of death as a result of massive hemoptysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Zhenming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality*