Bronchiolo-arterial fistulae are rare occurrences that can lead to hemoptysis. In general, persistent hemoptysis has a broad range of causes and management options. Surgery is often used in cases where conservative approaches have failed. In this case study, we present a 43-year-old woman with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, who developed chronic persistent hemoptysis after multiple aortic operations. The hemoptysis did not resolve with antibiotics, corticosteroids, and coil embolization. Based on multidisciplinary consensus, a left upper lobectomy was performed, with no recurrence of hemoptysis after 2 years of follow-up. Pathology revealed a bronchiolo-arterial fistula.
Otley et al. (Wed,) studied this question.