Bilateral concurrent massive hemoptysis successfully controlled with double endobronchial tamponade. A case report

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Interventional Bronchoscopy
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Massive hemoptysis necessitates prompt diagnosis and intervention.
• Endobronchial tamponade using balloon catheters is a standard conservative treatment.
• Introducing catheters via flexible bronchoscopes presents challenges in maintaining position.

Observation:

• A novel 'parallel technique' allows catheter placement alongside a bronchoscope.
• This technique preserves the working channel for suction, lavage, and biopsy.
• Bilateral endobronchial tamponade was successfully achieved using two Swan-Ganz catheters.

Findings:

• The parallel technique facilitated the placement of multiple balloon catheters for bilateral tamponade.
• This approach effectively controlled rare cases of bilateral concurrent massive hemoptysis.
• The procedure was technically straightforward and well-tolerated by the patient.

Implications:

• The parallel technique offers a viable option for managing massive hemoptysis, especially when other treatments are contraindicated.
• This method provides a crucial alternative in resource-limited settings or specific patient populations.
• Successful bilateral tamponade expands conservative management strategies for severe pulmonary bleeding.