• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Low blood pressure
• Pale, cool and clammy skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Restlessness
• Shortness of breath

Your doctor may note decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side. Signs of hemothorax may be seen on the following tests:

• Chest x-ray
• CT scan
• Pleural fluid analysis
• Thoracentesis

Images

Aortic rupture, chest X-ray

Respiratory system

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Hemothorax Overview

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Hemothorax Treatment

Review Date: 11/01/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)