pulmonary hemorrhage

Pulmonary hemorrhage (or "pulmonary haemorrhage") is an acute bleeding from the lung, especially in the upper respiratory tract and the trachea. When evident clinically, the condition is usually massive, associated with bleeding in other sites as well as more than one third of the lungs. The onset of pulmonary hemorrhage is characterized by oozing of bloody fluid from the nose and endotracheal tube, as well as to a lesser extent in other places, accompanied by rapid worsening of patient respiration, cyanosis and, in severe cases, shock. Treatment should be immediate and should include tracheal suction, oxygen, positive pressure ventilation, and correction of underlying abnormalities (e.g. disorders of coagulation). A blood transfusion may be necessary.