<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Background.</bold> Massive haemoptysis is a clinical state characterized by the expectoration of blood at a rate of 300-600 mL/24 h, thus causing life-threatening asphyxia. The aim of our study is to review use of transcatheter bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of massive haemoptysis.<bold>Materials and methods.</bold> Series of 11 patients with the clinical picture of massive haemoptysis was referred to our hospital for digital subtraction angiography and BAE within a 33 months period. There were 8 male (aged 43-69, mean age 56) and 3 female patients (aged 63-65, mean age 64). Aortography of thoracic aorta was initially performed in all patients, followed by selective angiography of bronchial and intercostal arteries, and intercostobronchial tree as indicated. A selective arterial embolization was done in 9 patients (9 primary and 3 secondary embolizations). The embolization was performed under fluoroscopy control by manual injection of the mixture of contrast solution (1 ccm) and embolization material, Embosphere (BioSphere Medical Inc., MA, USA), particle size 350-500 μm.<bold>Results.</bold> Bronchiectasis was the most common cause of bleeding (45.4%), while hypervascularization and intensive parenchymal opacification were the most frequent angiographic indicators of bleeding (100%), followed by tortuous and hypertrophic arteries (72.7%). Primary BAE proved successful in 81.9% and secondary BAE performed within 24 months in 33.3% of patients, whereas the tertiary (operative) treatment was required in 22.2% of patients. In 44.4% of patients, BAE was associated with only mild discomforts, like pain and cough.<bold>Conclusions.</bold> BAE is a reliable and minimally invasive method in the management of massive haemoptysis. Therefore, it should be considered as the primary method of the treatment or as a procedure for the stabilization the patient before the surgery.</abstract>

Background. Massive haemoptysis is a clinical state characterized by the expectoration of blood at a rate of 300-600 mL/24 h, thus causing life-threatening asphyxia. The aim of our study is to review use of transcatheter bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the treatment of massive haemoptysis.Materials and methods. Series of 11 patients with the clinical picture of massive haemoptysis was referred to our hospital for digital subtraction angiography and BAE within a 33 months period. There were 8 male (aged 43-69, mean age 56) and 3 female patients (aged 63-65, mean age 64). Aortography of thoracic aorta was initially performed in all patients, followed by selective angiography of bronchial and intercostal arteries, and intercostobronchial tree as indicated. A selective arterial embolization was done in 9 patients (9 primary and 3 secondary embolizations). The embolization was performed under fluoroscopy control by manual injection of the mixture of contrast solution (1 ccm) and embolization material, Embosphere (BioSphere Medical Inc., MA, USA), particle size 350-500 μm.Results. Bronchiectasis was the most common cause of bleeding (45.4%), while hypervascularization and intensive parenchymal opacification were the most frequent angiographic indicators of bleeding (100%), followed by tortuous and hypertrophic arteries (72.7%). Primary BAE proved successful in 81.9% and secondary BAE performed within 24 months in 33.3% of patients, whereas the tertiary (operative) treatment was required in 22.2% of patients. In 44.4% of patients, BAE was associated with only mild discomforts, like pain and cough.Conclusions. BAE is a reliable and minimally invasive method in the management of massive haemoptysis. Therefore, it should be considered as the primary method of the treatment or as a procedure for the stabilization the patient before the surgery.

Transcatheter embolization of bronchial arteries in the treatment of haemoptysis

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital

Department of Thoracic Radiology, Jordanovac University Hospital for Lung Diseases

Postintensive Care Department, Jordanovac University Hospital for Lung Diseases

Metabolic Department, Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic

University Department of Neurology, Sestre Milosrdnice Universtity Hospital

Department of Radiology, Hospital for Lung Diseases

School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Radiology and Oncology

{"article-title":"Transcatheter embolization of bronchial arteries in the treatment of haemoptysis"}

Background. Massive haemoptysis is a clinical state characterized by the expectoration of blood at a rate of 300-600 mL/24 h, thus causing life-threatening...

Transcatheter embolization of bronchial arteries in the treatment of haemoptysis

Published Online: Sep 14, 2009

Page range: 152 - 161

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-009-0033-9

Keywords
massive haemoptysis, bronchial artery, embolization

This content is open access.

Transcatheter embolization of bronchial arteries in the treatment of haemoptysis

Published Online: Sep 14, 2009

Page range: 152 - 161

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-009-0033-9

Keywordsmassive haemoptysis, bronchial artery, embolization

This content is open access.

Keywords
massive haemoptysis, bronchial artery, embolization