A patient may die of blood aspiration following or some time after a medical procedure. It is important to identify the source of the hemorrhage.
Risk factors for asphyxia:
(1) massive hemorrhage
(2) clot formation that blocks the airway.
Risk for blood aspiration from a site above the lungs:
(1) head and neck trauma or surgery
(2) unprotected airway
(3) vascular malformation or aneurysm
Risk factors for intrapulmonary hemorrhage:
(1) bronchovascular fistula
(2) arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm
(3) biopsy or transection of a large blood vessel
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
