Cystic fibrosis pulmonary guidelines: pulmonary complications: hemoptysis and pneumothorax

• Published in: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2010-08, Vol.182 (3), p.298-306
• Main Authors: Flume, Patrick A, Mogayzel, Peter J, Robinson, Karen A, Rosenblatt, Randall L, Quittell, Lynne, Marshall, Bruce C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1535-4970
• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201002-0157CI

RATIONALECystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease characterized by dehydration of the airway surface liquid and impaired mucociliary clearance. As a result, individuals with the disease have difficulty clearing pathogens from the lung and experience chronic pulmonary infections and inflammation. There may be intermittent pulmonary exacerbations or acute worsening of infection and obstruction, which require more intensive therapies. Hemoptysis and pneumothorax are complications commonly reported in patients with cystic fibrosis.OBJECTIVESThis document presents the CF Foundation's Pulmonary Therapies Committee recommendations for the treatment of hemoptysis and pneumothorax.METHODSThe committee recognized that insufficient data exist to develop evidence-based recommendations and so used the Delphi technique to formalize an expert panel's consensus process and develop explicit care recommendations.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTSThe expert panel completed the survey twice, allowing refinement of recommendations. Numeric responses to the questions were summarized and applied to a priori definitions to determine levels of consensus. Recommendations were then developed to practical treatment questions based upon the median scores and the degree of consensus.CONCLUSIONSThese recommendations for the management of the patient with CF with hemoptysis and pneumothorax are designed for general use in most individuals but should be adapted to meet specific needs as determined by the individuals, their families, and their health care providers. It is hoped that the guidelines provided in this manuscript will facilitate the appropriate application of these treatments to improve and extend the lives of all individuals with cystic fibrosis.