Respiratory Symptom Evaluation in Adults: Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract and has an extensive differential diagnosis that can be divided into pseudohemoptysis, infectious, neoplastic, vascular, autoimmune, and drug-related categories. Pseudohemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from a different source and needs to be ruled out. Clinical and hemodynamic stability must be established first. Chest x-ray is the initial imaging examination for all patients with hemoptysis. However, advanced imaging, such as a computed tomography scan, is helpful for further evaluation. Management aims to ensure patient stabilization. Most diagnoses are self-limited, but bronchoscopy and transarterial bronchial artery embolization can be used to manage massive hemoptysis.