Skip to main content

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Critically Ill Cancer Patients

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Oncologic Critical Care

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a syndrome classically defined by the triad of anemia, hemoptysis, and bilateral infiltrates on chest imaging. DAH can progress rapidly toward respiratory failure and death. It is paramount that critical care practitioners be familiar with the diagnosis and treatments available for this syndrome. This chapter reviews the etiologies of DAH, the pathophysiology, the clinical presentation, and diagnostic evaluation, and concludes with the evidence supporting treatment options with a focus on DAH in the oncologic patient. The reader will be able to distinguish infectious, bland hemorrhage, and connective tissue disease-associated causes of DAH from those caused by cytotoxic drugs and graft versus host disease (GVHD). With appropriate and timely treatment, the prognosis of DAH can be dramatic improved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Aakjaer S, et al. Continuous rituximab treatment for recurrent diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. Respirat Med Case Rep. 2017;22:263–5.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Abousouan L, Ricauarte B. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation: increasing use in acute care. Cleve Clin J Med. 2015;77(5):307–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Afridi F, et al. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in diffuse alveolar hemorrhage of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Crit Care Med. 2018;46((1) Supplement):512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ahmed S, et al. Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Chest. 2004;126(1):305–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Alabed A. Treatment of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus with local pulmonary instillation of factor VIIa (rFVIIa). Medicine. 2014;93(14):1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Baker M, et al. Intrapulmonary recombinant factor VII as an effective treatment for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: a case series. J Bronchol Intervent Pulmonol. 2016;23(3):255–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Brodie D, et al. Research in extracorporeal life support: a call to action. Chest. 2018;153(4):788–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Claudie C, et al. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(2):145–8.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Colby T, et al. Pathologic approach to pulmonary hemorrhage. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2001;5(5):309–19.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Collard HR, Schwarz MI. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Clin Chest Med. 2004;25:583–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Collard HR, King TE, Schwarz MI. Alveolar hemorrhage and rare infiltrative diseases. In: Broaddus C, editor. Murray and Nadel’s textbook of respiratory medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.; 2016. p. 67.1207–1220.e11.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Duval ELIM, Markhorst DG, Ramet J, van Vught AJ. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation in severe lung hemorrhage: a case study of three centres. Respirat Med CME. 2009;2:92–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Elinoff J, et al. Recombinant human factor viia for alveolar hemorrhage following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2014;20:969–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. El-Khatib M, Bou-Khalil P. Clinical review: liberation from mechanical ventilation. Crit Care. 2008;12(221):1–11, Available at http://ccforum.com/content/12/4/221

    Google Scholar 

  15. Escuissatoa DL, Warszawiaka D, Marchiorib E. Differential diagnosis of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage in immunocompromised patients. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2015;28:337–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Frawley P, Habashi N. Airway pressure release ventilation: theory and practice. AACN Clin Issues. 2001;12(2):234–46.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gattinoni L, et al. Prone position in acute respiratory distress syndrome: rationale, indications and limits. AJRCCM. 2013;188(11):1286–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Greening A, Hughes J. Serial estimations of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity in intrapulmonary haemorrhage. Clin Sci. 1981;60:507–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hafner S, et al. Hyperoxia in intensive care, emergency, and peri-operative medicine: Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde – a 2015 update. Ann Intensive Care. 2015;5(42):1–14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hayes-Bradley C. Hypoxia from vasculitic pulmonary haemorrhage improved by prone position ventilation. Br J Anaesth. 2004;92(5):754–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hughes KT, Beasley MB. Pulmonary manifestations of acute lung injury: more than just diffuse alveolar damage. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2017;141(7):916–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Jackson W. Should we use etomidate as an induction agent for endotracheal intubation in patients with septic shock? Chest. 2005;127(3):1031–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Klemmer P, et al. Plasmapheresis therapy for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in patients with small-vessel vasculitis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42(6):1149–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Krause M, et al. Update on diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary vasculitis. Immunol Allergy Clin N Am. 2012;32(4):587–600.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Lara AR, Schwarz MI. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Chest. 2010;137(5):1164–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Makdisi G, Wang I. Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) review of a lifesaving technology. J Thorac Dis. 2015;7(7):E166–76.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Mark E, Ramirez J. Pulmonary capillaritis and hemorrhage in patients with systemic vasculitis. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1985;109:413–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Mat Nor MB, Md Ralib A, Ibrahim NA, Abdul-Ghani MR. High frequency oscillatory ventilation in leptospirosis pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome: a case series study. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2016;20(6): 342–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Mauri T, et al. Physiologic effects of high-flow oxygen by nasal cannula in hypoxemic respiratory failure. AJRCCM. 2016;195(9):1207–15.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Moon KM, et al. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage confirmed by Bronchoalveolar lavage in a patient with hemoptysis after sildenafil use for erectile dysfunction. Korean J Crit Care Med. 2015;30:31–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Narshi C, et al. Rituximab as early therapy for pulmonary hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology. 2010;49:394–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Nguyen T, et al. Plasmapheresis for diffuse alveolare hemorrhage in a patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis: case report and review of the literature. J Clin Apher. 2005;20(4):230–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Nguyen AP, Schmidt UH, MacIntyre NR. Should high-frequency ventilation in the adult be abandoned? Respir Care. 2016;61(6):791–800.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. O’Connor M, Glick D. Chapter 45: airway management. Principles of critical care. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Education; 2015. p. 384–96.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Ozaki Y, Nomura S. Chapter XI: Airway pressure support ventilation (APRV) as supportive management for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus: Symptoms, Treatments, and Potential Complications Nova Science Publishers Inc.; 2012. p. 197–203.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Park M. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Tuberc Respir Dis. 2013;74:151–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Pathak V, et al. Use of activated factor VII in patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: a 10 years institutional experience. Lung. 2015;193:375–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Pham T, et al. Mechanical ventilation: state of the art. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(9):1382–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Pihusch M, et al. Recombinant activated factor VII in treatment of bleeding complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Thromb Haemost. 2005;3:1935–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Rathi N, et al. Low-, medium- and high-dose steroids with or without aminocaproic acid in adult hematopoietic SCT patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2015;50:420–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ravindran V, Watts R. Pulmonary haemorrhage in ANCA-associated vasculitis. Rheumatology. 2010;49:1412–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Shwarz M, Brown K. Small vessel vasculitis of the lung. Thorax. 2000;55:402–510.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Sinclair R, Luxton M. Rapid sequence induction. Br J Anaesth. 2005;5(2):65–6.

    Google Scholar 

  44. The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network. Ventilation with lower tidal volumes as compared with traditional tidal volumes for acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. NEJM. 2000;342:1301–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Travis W, Colby T, Lombard C, Carpenter H. A clincopathologic study of 34 cases of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage with biopsy confirmation. Am J Surg. 1990;14:1112–25.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Tse J, et al. Rituximab: an emerging treatment for recurrent diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2015;24(7):756–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wanko S, et al. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: retrospective review of clinical outcome in allogeneic transplant recipients treated with Aminocaproic acid. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2006;12:949–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charles A. Read .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Section Editor information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Stephenson, B.W., Roberts, A.H., Read, C.A. (2019). Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Critically Ill Cancer Patients. In: Nates, J., Price, K. (eds) Oncologic Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74698-2_49-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74698-2_49-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74698-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74698-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics