[Life-threatening hemoptysis. Treatment with transcatheter embolization].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the immediate and long-term efficacy of transcatheter embolization of bronchial, systemic and pulmonary arteries to treat life-threatening hemoptysis. Likewise, we propose the systematic treatment of life-threatening hemoptysis by means of transcatheter embolization.


METHODS
One hundred seven angiographies were performed on the same number of patients experiencing life-threatening hemoptysis with bleeding exceeding 150 ml in 24 hours. Before angiography, we rinsed the vessels with cold saline solution and adrenalin through the catheter. Thirty-three patients were female and 74 were male. Mean age was 52.3 years (range 12 to 75 years). Embolization was performed in 104 (3 in patients with recurrent hemoptysis) using polyvinyl alcohol and micro-coils. Bronchial and systemic arteries of the affected hemithorax (mammary and lateral thoracic arteries) were checked in all patients. If findings were negative or bleeding was recurrent, we also performed pulmonary arteriography.


RESULTS
In two cases we were unable to catheterize the artery theoretically responsible for bleeding. Examination of both arterial and systemic vessels proved normal in one patient. The embolization technique was successful in 99% (103/104) of the cases and the rate of immediate clinical success was 95.1% (99/104). The mean time of follow-up was 43.2 months (range 3 to 66 months). Hemoptysis recurred in 15.3% (16 cases) within a mean 8.3 months (range 15 days to 48 months); embolization was repeated in 14 of these patients with satisfactory results, while two underwent surgery. In five patients (4.8%) we observed complications requiring no additional medical treatment: one instance of coil migration to the deep femoral artery, from which the coil was removed in a basket; two cases of bronchial artery extravasation with small mediastinal hematomas; and two hematomas at the points of puncture.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective or supra-selective embolization of the arteries that feed the bronchi provides effective management of life-threatening hemoptysis. No additional medical treatment is usually required.
Gimeno Peribáñez
M J
MJ
Sección de Radiología Intervencionista, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Zaragoza.
Madariaga
B
B
Alfonso Aguirán
E R
ER
Medrano Peña
J
J
Fernández Gómez
J A
JA
Herrera
M
M
de Gregorio Ariza
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000098:blood supply; D002648:Child; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography