Treatment of hemoptysis by embolization of bronchial arteries

One hundred and four patients presenting with either massive or repeated hemoptysis were treated by embolization of the bronchial arteries with a resorbable material (Spongel). The procedure was performed via selective catheterization of the abnormal arteries. Forty-nine patients were treated during and 55 after hemoptysis. Of the 49 patients treated during hemoptysis, immediate arrest of bleeding was affected in 41 but 6 of these patients suffered relapse two to seven months after the procedure. There was no recurrence of bleeding in the remaining 35 patients.