BackgroundHemoptysis is a common complication in all kinds of surgery. However, it is rarely critical because it resolves with or without intervention.Case presentationHere the authors present what is believed to be an unprecedented report of a case involving a fatal idiopathic bronchial hemorrhage complication during cardiac surgery. Eighty-five-year-old female with severe aorticvalve stenosis had elective aortic valve replacement. Subsequently, she developed diffuse bilateral severe idiopathic bronchial hemorrhage which required maximum intervention such as external bronchial ligation, V-A ECMO, coil embolization of bronchial artery and internal airway blockage by spigot.ConclusionsAirway bleeding is not a rare complication in cardiac surgery, but this case should increase awareness of this potentially life threatening perioperative complication.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-016-0477-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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