Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (541 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Expectoration or spitting of blood originating from any part of the respiratory tract, usually from hemorrhage in the lung parenchyma (pulmonary alveoli) and the bronchial arteries.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Hemoptyses.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Lung Diseases; Hemorrhage; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory
Related concepts
- Respiratory System
- Pulmonary Alveoli
- Bronchial Arteries
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,071 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Hemoptysis” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 987 of them (14.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 3,073 records.
Reviews account for 612 records (8.7%) and meta-analyses for 12. Randomized controlled trials number 22 (0.3%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,073 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,355 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,656 |
| 2020 onward | 987 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 612 | 8.7% |
| Meta-analyses | 12 | 0.2% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 22 | 0.3% |
Method: PubMed query "Hemoptysis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in respiratory medicine
Research on airway and lung disease mixes lung-function tests, symptom diaries, imaging and hospital records, so what was measured and in whom matters as much as the result. Many conditions here, such as asthma and COPD, vary between people and over time, and exposure studies (smoking, pollution, workplace dust) show association rather than proof of cause. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment or inhalers; anyone with breathing difficulty should seek care from a qualified clinician. Check how the condition was defined, the severity of the people studied and whether outcomes were symptoms, lung function or hospital admissions.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach to Hemoptysis in the Modern Era | 2017 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 41 | cc by PMID 29430203 · DOI · PMC5752991 |
| Feasibility and outcomes of bronchial artery embolization in patients with non-massive hemoptysis | 2021 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 32 | cc by PMID 34362373 · DOI · PMC8344225 |
| Risk factors for hemoptysis in idiopathic and hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension | 2013 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 26 | cc by PMID 24194909 · DOI · PMC3806771 |
| Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for massive haemoptysis secondary to chronic pulmonary vein stenosis post-atrial fibrillation ablation | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 40694480 · DOI · PMC12341673 |
Approach to Hemoptysis in the Modern Era [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Hemoptysis is a frequent manifestation of a wide variety of diseases, with mild to life-threatening presentations.
- Closing excerpt
- In this article, we review the evidence regarding the definition, etiology, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of severe hemoptysis in the modern era with emphasis on bronchoscopic techniques.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (95 words)
Hemoptysis is a frequent manifestation of a wide variety of diseases, with mild to life-threatening presentations. The diagnostic workup and the management of severe hemoptysis are often challenging. Advances in endoscopic techniques have led to different new therapeutic approaches. Cold saline, vasoconstrictive and antifibrinolytic agents, oxidized regenerated cellulose, biocompatible glue, laser photocoagulation, argon plasma coagulation, and endobronchial stents and valves are amongst the tools available to the bronchoscopist. In this article, we review the evidence regarding the definition, etiology, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of severe hemoptysis in the modern era with emphasis on bronchoscopic techniques.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29430203 · DOI · PMC5752991
Feasibility and outcomes of bronchial artery embolization in patients with non-massive hemoptysis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcome of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of non-massive hemoptysis and the prognostic factors associated with recurrent bleeding.
- Closing excerpt
- The procedure may offer a better long-term control of recurrent hemoptysis and quality of life than conservative therapy alone.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (167 words)
PurposeTo evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcome of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of non-massive hemoptysis and the prognostic factors associated with recurrent bleeding.Materials and methodsFrom March 2005 to September 2014, BAE was performed in 233 patients with non-massive hemoptysis. All patients had a history of persistent or recurrent hemoptysis despite conservative medical treatment. We assessed the technical and clinical success, recurrence, prognostic factors related to recurrent bleeding, recurrence-free survival rate, additional treatment, and major complications in all the patients.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 224 patients (96.1%), and clinical success was obtained in 219 (94.0%) of the 233 patients. In addition, 64 patients (27.5%) presented hemoptysis recurrence with median time of 197 days after embolization. Tuberculosis sequelae and presence of aberrant bronchial artery or non-bronchial systemic collaterals were significantly related to recurrent bleeding (p ConclusionsBAE is a safe and effective treatment to manage non-massive hemoptysis. The procedure may offer a better long-term control of recurrent hemoptysis and quality of life than conservative therapy alone.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 34362373 · DOI · PMC8344225
Risk factors for hemoptysis in idiopathic and hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionWhen hemoptysis complicates pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it is assumed to result from bronchial artery hypertrophy.
- Closing excerpt
- Although the presence of a BMPR2 mutation did not correlate with a greater incidence of hemoptysis in our patient cohort, its association with worse hemodynamics and a trend of greater bronchial arterial hypertrophy may increase the risk of hemoptysis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (187 words)
IntroductionWhen hemoptysis complicates pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it is assumed to result from bronchial artery hypertrophy. In heritable PAH, the most common mutation is in the BMPR2 gene, which regulates growth, differentiation and apoptosis of mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship in PAH between the occurrence of hemoptysis, and disease progression, bronchial artery hypertrophy, pulmonary artery dilation and BMPR2 mutations.Methods129 IPAH patients underwent baseline pulmonary imaging (CT angio or MRI) and repeated right-sided heart catheterization. Gene mutations were assessed in a subset of patients.ResultsHemoptysis was associated with a greater presence of hypertrophic bronchial arteries and more rapid hemodynamic deterioration. The presence of a BMPR2 mutation did not predispose to the development of hemoptysis, but was associated with a greater number of hypertrophic bronchial arteries and a worse baseline hemodynamic profile.ConclusionHemoptysis in PAH is associated with bronchial artery hypertrophy and faster disease progression. Although the presence of a BMPR2 mutation did not correlate with a greater incidence of hemoptysis in our patient cohort, its association with worse hemodynamics and a trend of greater bronchial arterial hypertrophy may increase the risk of hemoptysis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24194909 · DOI · PMC3806771
Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for massive haemoptysis secondary to chronic pulmonary vein stenosis post-atrial fibrillation ablation [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a rare but serious complication after transcatheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, potentially leading to massive haemoptysis.
- Closing excerpt
- Anatomical pulmonary resection is required for massive haemoptysis caused by PV stenosis that occurs long after transcatheter ablation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (92 words)
Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a rare but serious complication after transcatheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, potentially leading to massive haemoptysis. We present a case of severe PV stenosis resulting in haemoptysis. A 57-year-old man presented with haemoptysis 18 months after catheter ablation. His left PV was almost completely occluded and required the left pneumonectomy. Pathological examination revealed irreversible fibrosis of the PV intima, which led to pulmonary congestion. Surgical intervention resolved the haemoptysis. Anatomical pulmonary resection is required for massive haemoptysis caused by PV stenosis that occurs long after transcatheter ablation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40694480 · DOI · PMC12341673
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Bronchial and nonbronchial systemic artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis: a comprehensive review [5]
- Research article Bronchial artery embolization in hemoptysis: a systematic review [6]
- Research article Clinical assessment and management of massive hemoptysis [7]
- Research article Managing Massive Hemoptysis [8]
- Research article Radiological management of hemoptysis: a comprehensive review of diagnostic imaging and bronchial arterial embolization [9]
- Research article Massive hemoptysis: an update on the role of bronchoscopy in diagnosis and management [10]
References
- Gagnon S, Quigley N, Dutau H, Delage A, Fortin M. Approach to Hemoptysis in the Modern Era. . 2017. PMID 29430203 · DOI · PMC5752991
- Hwang JH, Kim JH, Park S, Lee KH, Park SH. Feasibility and outcomes of bronchial artery embolization in patients with non-massive hemoptysis. . 2021. PMID 34362373 · DOI · PMC8344225
- Tio D, Leter E, Boerrigter B, Boonstra A, Vonk-Noordegraaf A, Bogaard HJ. Risk factors for hemoptysis in idiopathic and hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension. . 2013. PMID 24194909 · DOI · PMC3806771
- Osuga F, Minegishi K, Endo S, Tsubochi H. Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy for massive haemoptysis secondary to chronic pulmonary vein stenosis post-atrial fibrillation ablation. . 2025. PMID 40694480 · DOI · PMC12341673
- Yoon W, Kim JK, Kim YH, Chung TW, Kang HK. Bronchial and nonbronchial systemic artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis: a comprehensive review. Radiographics. 2002. PMID 12432111 · DOI
- Panda A, Bhalla AS, Goyal A. Bronchial artery embolization in hemoptysis: a systematic review. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2017. PMID 28703105 · DOI · PMC5508955
- Jean-Baptiste E. Clinical assessment and management of massive hemoptysis. Crit Care Med. 2000. PMID 10834728 · DOI
- Davidson K, Shojaee S. Managing Massive Hemoptysis. Chest. 2020. PMID 31374211 · DOI
- Chun JY, Morgan R, Belli AM. Radiological management of hemoptysis: a comprehensive review of diagnostic imaging and bronchial arterial embolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2010. PMID 20058006 · DOI
- Sakr L, Dutau H. Massive hemoptysis: an update on the role of bronchoscopy in diagnosis and management. Respiration. 2010. PMID 20090288 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
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