Is coughing up blood with phelgm and clots after intubation concerning?
Patient: My husband was intubated for 2 1/2 days while sedated after a seizure waiting for MRI. This was last Thursday. He coughed up phlegm and blood for several hours. Then it was just phlegm. It dissipated over the weekend. When he came home today, he started to cough really hard and coughed up what looks like a 1 square of flesh. Then a few hours later, he coughed up a larger piece. Is this something we should worry about or take him to the emergency room? Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM.In my opinion you should get done atleast chest x ray to rule out other causes of haemoptysis (coughing out blood). If chest x ray is normal than no need to worry. The blood might be due to friction of endotracheal tube during the time of hospital stay.And the description you are giving favours old clotted blood, rather than fresh blood. As fresh bleeding appears bright red in color.So get done chest x ray first and if this is normal than no need to worry much.