Potentially life-threatening emergency
Hemothorax
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Hemothorax is generally related to chest wall trauma or thoracic instrumentation, although it can also result spontaneously, from malignancy, from vascular issues such as aneurysm, arteriovenous malformations, embolisms, or dissections, and from a variety of uncommon diseases.
Symptoms may include anxiety, chest pain, a rapid heart rate, clammy skin, shallow breathing, and shortness of breath. Patients may go into shock.
Complications may include pneumothorax, fibrosis of pleural membranes, infection, shock, and death in the most severe cases.
Tube thoracostomy drainage is the major method of treatment.
Codes
ICD10CM:J94.2 – Hemothorax
SNOMEDCT:
31892009 – Hemothorax
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Pleural effusion
- Thoracic or metastatic malignancy (see lung cancer)
- Mesothelioma
- Empyema
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:02/04/2020
Last Updated:03/23/2020
Last Updated:03/23/2020
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Hemothorax