title: Bronchial artery embolization for management of massive cryptogenic hemoptysis: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemoptysis constitutes a common and urgent medical problem. Swift and effective management is of crucial importance, especially in severe, life-threatening cases. In cases of idiopathic hemoptysis, in which no underlying pulmonary pathology can be identified, treatment is challenging. We report our experience with bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of massive idiopathic hemoptysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report three consecutive cases of acute severe idiopathic hemoptysis. Our patients (two men aged 51 and 56 years and one woman aged 46 years), were of Caucasian ethnicity. We discuss the results and management of the patients, and review the literature. All three patients were treated safely and successfully with transcatheter embolization of the bronchial arteries using tris-acryl gelatin microspheres. Hemoptysis was controlled. All cases were followed up for 12 months, and there was no recurrence of bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchial artery embolization is an effective tool for the evaluation and treatment of massive idiopathic hemoptysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. kat_samara@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Katerina D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Samara
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsetis
authors.forename: Katerina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Protopapadakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maltezakis
authors.forename: Nikolaos M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Siafakas