Abstract
Purpose: To review our method of embolization for hemoptysis. Methods: Between 1993 and 1999, 134 patients were treated in our department for hemoptysis. One hundred and sixteen patients were followed up (18 were lost to follow-up) over a period ranging from 1 to 66 months (median 9.5 months, SD 14.81 months). Most cases were due to tuberculosis (83.6%) and malignancy (9.5%). One hundred and three required embolization. Vascular access was obtained via the femoral route but two cases required a brachial approach for abnormal branches of the subclavian artery. All abnormal vessels found were embolized using polyvinyl alcohol particles alone or in combination with gelfoam. Results: Bronchial artery hypertrophy was found in 88.3% of cases; about a third of which had a nonbronchial systemic contribution. No angiographic abnormalities were found in 11.2%. Our failure rate was 18.4% (58% required surgery while 42% died from massive hemoptysis). Sixteen cases required multiple embolization sessions. No major complications were encountered. Conclusion: Embolization is effective for treatment of moderate to massive hemoptysis. The majority of our cases were due to tuberculosis. Approximately one third had nonbronchial systemic artery contributions, indicating that a concerted search for these is mandatory.
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Yu-Tang Goh, P., Lin, M., Teo, N. et al. Embolization for Hemoptysis: A Six -Year Review. CVIR 25, 17–25 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-001-0047-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-001-0047-1