Idiopathic bronchial hemorrhage: a rare but catastrophic complication in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hemoptysis is a common complication in all kinds of surgery. However, it is rarely critical because it resolves with or without intervention.

CASE PRESENTATION: Here the authors present what is believed to be an unprecedented report of a case involving a fatal idiopathic bronchial hemorrhage complication during cardiac surgery. Eighty-five-year-old female with severe aorticvalve stenosis had elective aortic valve replacement. Subsequently, she developed diffuse bilateral severe idiopathic bronchial hemorrhage which required maximum intervention such as external bronchial ligation, V-A ECMO, coil embolization of bronchial artery and internal airway blockage by spigot.

CONCLUSIONS: Airway bleeding is not a rare complication in cardiac surgery, but this case should increase awareness of this potentially life threatening perioperative complication.