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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan-Mar;19(1):108-111.
doi: 10.4103/sja.sja_380_24. Epub 2025 Jan 1.

Bronchial blocker placement for massive hemoptysis

Ryan L Loncar  1 , Elliott J Chiartas  1 , Sheryl Modlin  1 , Jibran Ikram  2 , Sabry Ayad  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Bronchial blocker placement for massive hemoptysis

Ryan L Loncar et al. Saudi J Anaesth. 2025 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening pathology requiring emergent intervention to prevent airway obstruction and hypovolemic shock. Intubation followed by lung isolation should be urgently performed. We elected to place Fuji Uniblocker (Fuji Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) through an endotracheal tube to isolate a hemorrhage secondary to a cavitary lung lesion caused by a large pulmonary embolus. This article examines lung isolation strategies and addresses the advantages and disadvantages in patients with massive hemoptysis.

Keywords: Bronchial blocker; Uniblocker; hemoptysis; lung isolation; massive pulmonary hemorrhage; pulmonary embolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT PE with IV contrast showing occlusive mass in left main pulmonary artery
Figure 2
Figure 2
Picture taken during bronchoscopy at level of the carina. Hemorrhage noted in both left and right mainstem bronchus. Following suction and irrigation, the source was found to be in the upper left lobe
Figure 3
Figure 3
Fiberoptic bronchoscope image at level of carina. “A” represents anterior aspect of trachea. 9 French Uniblocker in left mainstem bronchus just below level of carina
Figure 4
Figure 4
Showing a 6.5g thrombus removed from left bronchus and distal branches during pulmonary endarterectomy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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