Definition The hematothorax describes an accumulation of blood in the patient’s chest cavity. It represents a special form of pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the lung pleura and the pleura, the two so-called pleural leaves. Together they form the pleura. This effusion can have various causes and different compositions. A … Hematothorax
Symptoms The symptoms vary depending on the extent of fluid accumulation. If there is heavy bleeding into the pleural gap, breathing difficulties occur because the lungs are no longer able to expand properly due to the spatial restriction caused by the accumulation of blood. As a consequence of the impaired breathing, an oxygen deficiency occurs. … Symptoms | Hematothorax
Therapy In order to ensure that therapy is effective, the cause of the hematothorax should first be determined. If this involves injuries to vessels or organs, these should be treated first in order to prevent greater blood loss and to keep the accumulation of blood in the thorax as low as possible. The next measure … Therapy | Hematothorax
Complications of a hematothorax In the event of very severe bleeding due to vascular or organ injuries to the chest, uncontrollable blood loss can occur, which can lead to imminent danger to life. For this reason, a hematothorax should be treated as quickly as possible by specialist personnel or, as an initial measure, by an … Complications of a hematothorax | Hematothorax
