[Threatening hemoptysis. Results of treatment with arterial embolization]

Retrospective analysis the immediate and long-term efficacy of embolization of bronchial and systemic arteries in the treatment of threatening or relapsing hemoptysis.

During the study period 122 arterial embolizations were performed in patients with hemoptysis over 100 ml in 24 hours, relapsing hemoptysis and/or presence of vital risk factors. Embolization was performed with polyvinyl alcohol particles, spongostan and metallic spirals. Seventy patients were included in the study and 47 were excluded as they came from other institutions.

Angiographic changes were observed in 100% of patients. The immediate clinical success, defined as hemoptysis control, was obtained in the 70 patients. The mean follow-up time was 21.2 +/- 16.3 months. Relapsing hemoptysis occurred in 17.1% of patients (12 patients), of which 5.7% (4 cases) occurred in the first seven days and in 11.4% (8 patients) after 6 months. In five patients (7.1%) a new embolization was performed and 6 were operated after embolization (5 of them with bronchiectasis). The remarkable complications derived from the procedure included self-limited paraparesis of the lower limbs and severe chest pain.

The embolization of bronchial arteries is an efficient technique for the treatment of threatening hemoptysis and relapses, is associated with a low morbidity rate, and the late relapse is relatively common among patiets with bronchiectasis.