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Thoracic embolotherapy for life‐threatening haemoptysis: A pulmonologist's perspective
Author(s) -
HSU Anne A. L.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2005.00699.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonologist , pulmonologists , bronchial artery , bronchoscopy , intensive care medicine , embolization , airway , lung , radiology , surgery
Abstract: 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.