Hemoptysis: diagnosis and treatment.

Hemoptysis is the expectoration of blood or blood tinged sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea or lungs. The etiology of hemoptysis is best categorized from the various system or site of bleeding. The management of hemoptysis begins with an initial assessment of gas exchange and hemodynamic stability followed by an identification of the cause by means of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and chest imaging studies to attain cessation of bleeding and to prevent future recurrence.