What is hemothorax?

21 November 2025

Hemothorax is a medical condition characterized by the presence of blood in the pleural cavity—the space between the chest wall and the lung—most often due to chest trauma.

A hemothorax can also be caused by one of the following:

  • Abnormal blood clotting.
  • Lung cancer.
  • Pulmonary infarction.
  • A surgical procedure in the chest or on the heart.
  • A ruptured blood vessel when placing a central venous catheter.
  • Venous rupture due to high blood pressure.
  • Having tuberculosis.

Signs and symptoms Hemothorax

The symptoms of a hemothorax depend on the amount of blood and how quickly it accumulates, but they typically include:

  • Episodes of anxiety or restlessness.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Pallor.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Rapid breathing.

A hemothorax can lead to the following risks and complications:

  • Respiratory failure.
  • Pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Pleural fluid infection.
  • Death.

Diagnosis and treatment Hemothorax

In addition to performing a physical exam and reviewing your medical history, your doctor will order the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

  • Pleural fluid analysis.
  • Electrocardiogram.
  • Blood tests.
  • Chest X-rays.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan.

The primary goal of hemothorax treatment is to stop the bleeding and remove the blood and air from the pleural space. To do this, a chest tube is inserted through the chest wall and left in place for several days with suction to help the lung re-expand. If this procedure is not enough, a thoracotomy (a surgical incision into the chest wall) may be required to stop the bleeding.

Intravenous medications and respiratory support may also be necessary.

At the ABC Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine, we provide high-quality, safe medical care, from prevention and diagnosis to timely treatment and follow-up for a wide range of conditions, including infectious, respiratory, endocrine, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological diseases. We treat both chronic-degenerative and acute conditions using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.

Related centers and departments Hemothorax

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • intorax.com
  • revistanefrologia.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • cun.es
  • elsevier.es
  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Quiroga-Arias VE, Garza-Jiménez GÓ,Hernández-Ramírez I, et al. Post traumatic residual hemotorax as a reference problem in the second level of attention. Neumol Cir Torax. 2018;77(1):14-18.
  • Nazario DAM, Matos TEM, Falcón VCG, et al. Clinical and therapeutic characteristics of patients with traumatic hemothorax. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2015;54(2):96-103.
  • Fernández GA, López AY, Ojeda OMJ, et al. Hematoma intrapulmonar roto, hemotórax retenido y toracoscopia. A propósito de un caso. Rev Mex Cir Endoscop. 2012;13(4):203-204.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.