Percutaneous transcatheter vascular embolization for life threatening hemoptysis

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 47 patients (37 males and 10 females, aged 37–72 years) with life threatening hemoptysis treated by bronchial artery embolization. Between April 2007 and April 2012 at the Assuit University Hospital, the cause of hemoptysis was tuberculosis and post TB bronchiectasis in 29 patients, bronchiectasis in 11, 3 arteriovenous malformation, 3 post infective fibrosis and one patient with chronic renal failure. Recurrence of hemoptysis after embolization occurred in 2 patients within the 6 month follow-up period, these cases underwent re-embolization with successful control of hemoptysis. There were no procedure-related major complications. Bronchial artery embolization is a safe and effective palliative treatment for patients with massive hemoptysis.