Hemoptysis: A warning sign of pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases: Experience from the Emergency Center

Abstract

Introduction: Hemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from the tracheobronchial tree. Hemoptysis is the most common manifestation of pulmonary or extrapulmonary diseases. The amount of blood coughed up can be minimal to massive, which can be life-threatening. This research aimes to determine the etiology and diagnostics of hemoptysis. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 150 patients with hemoptysis who were examined in the Emergency Center in April 2022. and April 2023. Results: In the study group, about 2/3 of the patients had at least one comorbidity, and the most common was arterial hypertension. It was also the main cause of hemoptysis (41%). Approximately half of the patients had a pulmonary or extra-pulmonary cause. A quarter of patients needed hospital treatment. 31 bronchoscopies and 2 embolizations were performed. There was no statistically significant association between elevated D-dimer values and CT findings of pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: Coughing up blood can be life-threatening and lead to a fatal outcome. That is why timely and adequate diagnostics are needed. Although patients are most often referred to a pulmonologist, the reason is also extra-pulmonary, and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to provide adequate care and timely treatment.