Embolization therapy in haemoptysis

Massive haemoptysis is a serious clinical condition to be treated with transcatheter embolotherapy of bronchial and/or other systemic arteries to the lungs. Lung bleeding frequently originates from sites other than bronchials alone. It is important to consider the extensive collateral network between bronchial, intercostal and pulmonary arteries and veins. Between 1980 and 1991, 70 patients were embolized. Fifty individuals were controlled with a mean follow-up time of 62 months. Most frequently pathology was seen in vessels originating from the right upper middle lung region. The embolization agents we used were IBC, NIBC, dura mater particles, and Ivalon+IBC. Recurrent bleeding was noticed in five patients, but not from embolized vessels. No major complications were encountered. Selective embolotherapy with tissue adhesives resulted in good short-term (90%) and long-term (100%) results. In 10% of cases, two or more embolization sessions were needed to cure the patient of haemoptysis.