Hemoptysis after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) occasionally occurs, and has varying clinical
significance based upon amount of bleeding. Hemoptysis resulting in a clot and airway
obstruction is an extremely rare event found almost exclusively in the intensive care unit. We
describe a unique case of hemoptysis resulting in bronchial impaction from a clot requiring an
emergent return to CPB during valve replacement surgery. We used a rigid bronchoscope,
without an endotracheal tube, to facilitate airway patency in a patient with diffuse airway
bleeding after bronchial disimpaction to separate from CPB.