Evaluating hemoptysis hospitalizations among patients with bronchiectasis in the United States: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of hospitalizations and mortality for hemoptysis due to bronchiectasis is not well characterized. The primary outcome of our study was to evaluate in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with hemoptysis and bronchiectasis, as well as the rates of bronchial artery embolization, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. METHODS: The authors queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) claims database for hospitalizations between 2016 and 2017 using the ICD-10-CM codes for hemoptysis and bronchiectasis in the United States. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate predictors of in-hospital mortality, embolization, length of stay, and hospital costs. RESULTS: There were 8240 hospitalizations (weighted) for hemoptysis in the United States from 2016 to 2017. The overall in-hospital mortality was 4.5%, but higher in males compared to females. Predictors of in-hospital mortality included undergoing three or more procedures, age, and congestive heart failure. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was utilized during 2.1% of hospitalizations and was more frequently used in those with nontuberculous mycobacteria and aspergillus infections, but not pseudomonal infections. The mean length of stay was 6 days and the median hospitalization cost per patient was USD $9,610. Having comorbidities and procedures was significantly associated with increased length of stay and costs. CONCLUSION: Hemoptysis is a frequent indication for hospitalization among the bronchiectasis population. In-hospital death occurred in approximately 4.5% of hospitalizations. The effectiveness of BAE in treating and preventing recurrent hemoptysis from bronchiectasis needs to be explored.

Management of life-threatening haemoptysis in an area of high tuberculosis incidence.

BACKGROUND: Emergency admissions with life-threatening haemoptysis in an area of high tuberculosis (TB) incidence at the University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa. It is unclear if lung resection is regularly indicated to prevent recurrence following bronchial artery embolisation (BAE). OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate risk factors for recurrence as selection criteria for surgery following embolisation: lack of complete cessation of haemoptysis, need for blood transfusion, presence of aspergilloma and absence of active TB. DESIGN: Prospective interventional study with 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Within a 7-month period, 101 consecutive patients were admitted. Seven were excluded and 12 died shortly after admission. Haemoptysis ceased on medical treatment alone within 24 h in 21 of the remaining 82 patients. Their 1-year mortality was 10%. Eleven of 61 patients referred for emergency embolisation died before discharge. Of the 50 patients remaining at risk of recurrence, 38 (76%) were at low risk and 12 (24%) at high risk. Five of these patients (10% of those at risk) underwent surgery. Patients at low risk and operated patients had an uneventful course over 1 year, but two deaths occurred among the seven inoperable patients at high risk. CONCLUSION: Lung resection surgery following successful BAE for life-threatening haemoptysis can safely be avoided in patients at low risk of recurrence.

Clinical assessment and management of massive hemoptysis.

OBJECTIVE: Massive hemoptysis is a potentially lethal condition that deserves to be investigated thoroughly and brought under control promptly. The mortality rate depends mainly on the underlying etiology and the magnitude of bleeding. Although the diagnosis of hemoptysis may be established by chest radiograph, many pathologies may be missed. Because bronchoscopy and computed tomography are complementary, they may indicate pathologies not detectable by chest radiograph. Finding the etiology and site of the hemoptysis is imperative. INVESTIGATIONS: Urgent bronchoscopy should be performed in unstable patients because it exacts a paramount role in the diagnostic search and therapy. It can be used to facilitate the introduction of balloon-tip catheters into the bleeding bronchus for tamponade of the hemorrhagic artery, protecting de facto the contralateral lung or nonbleeding bronchi from blood aspiration. Endobronchial tamponade should only be used as a temporary measure until a more specific treatment is instituted. In stable patients, computed tomography should be ordered before any bronchoscopic exploration. INTERVENTIONS: Surgery was once regarded as the treatment of choice in operable patients with massive hemoptysis. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an excellent nonsurgical alternative; it is proven to be very effective and lacks the mortality and morbidity encountered in surgical interventions. Nevertheless, surgery is recommended in patients with massive hemoptysis caused by thoracic vascular injury, arteriovenous malformation, leaking thoracic aneurysm with bronchial communication, hydatid cyst, and other conditions in which BAE would be inadequate. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT: Conservative medical therapy may suffice in certain conditions, like bronchiectasis, coagulopathies, Goodpasture's syndrome, and acute bronchopulmonary infections. Preparation for other interventions (endobronchial tamponade, BAE, or surgery in eligible candidates) should be undertaken if the bleeding fails to respond to conservative measures. Supportive therapy should be applied vigorously to all patients with massive hemoptysis.

Massive hemoptysis. Assessment and management.

The first priorities in treating the patient with massive hemoptysis are to maintain the airway, optimize oxygenation, and stabilize the hemodynamic status. The major question to be answered is whether or not the patient should be intubated for better gas exchange, suctioning, and protection from sudden cardiorespiratory arrest. If the bleeding site is known, the patient should be placed with the bleeding lung in the dependent position. Once stabilization is accomplished, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions should be promptly performed because recurrent bleeding occurs unpredictably. Early bronchoscopy, preferably during active bleeding, should be performed with three goals in mind: to lateralize the bleeding side, localize the specific site, and identify the cause of the bleeding. In those patients with lateralized or localized persistent bleeding, immediate control of the airway may be obtained during the procedure with topical therapy, endobronchial tamponade, or unilateral intubation of the nonbleeding lung. If bleeding continues but the side of origin is uncertain, lung isolation or use of a double-lumen tube is reasonable, provided that the staff is skilled in this procedure. If the bleeding cannot be localized because the rate of hemorrhage makes it impossible to visualize the airway, emergent rigid bronchoscopy or emergent arteriography is indicated. Arteriography and embolization should be used emergently for both diagnosis and therapy in those patients who continue to bleed despite endobronchial therapy. Emergent surgical intervention should be considered in operative candidates with unilateral bleeding when embolization is not available or not feasible, when bleeding continues despite embolization, or when bleeding is associated with persistent hemodynamic and respiratory compromise. For patients in whom bleeding has ceased or is decreased, emergent intervention may not be necessary. If the bleeding site has been localized or lateralized with early bronchoscopy, recurrent bleeding can be managed more confidently and rapidly. The cause of bleeding can be determined at bronchoscopy in patients with endobronchial adenomas, carcinomas, foreign bodies, or broncholiths. If no diagnosis is obtained at bronchoscopy, elective angiography of the bronchial and, if necessary, the pulmonary vasculature is reasonable. The precise timing and nature of the further evaluation are dictated by the suspected underlying pathologic process and the clinical condition of the patient. Surgery is the most definitive form of therapy for patients with hemoptysis because it removes the source of bleeding. Whether to proceed with elective surgery in patients with a major bleed that stops or one that is controlled angiographically is a difficult decision. Little data are available to assist in this decision, even for specific diseases, such as bronchiectasis. Similarly, the long-term course of patients treated with endobronchial tamponade or topical therapy is unknown. For patients with inoperable disease, limited reserve, or bilateral progressive disease, embolization frequently controls bleeding for prolonged periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)