Outcome and complications of bronchial artery embolisation for life-threatening haemoptysis

Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) has been established as an effective technique in the emergency treatment of life-threatening haemoptysis. However, few data concerning outcome are available. To evaluate the short-term and long-term results of BAE in patients treated for life-threatening haemoptysis. A retrospective analysis of eight patients with life-threatening haemoptysis treated with BAE. BAE resulted in an immediate cessation of haemoptysis in 7 (88%) patients. Long-term control of bleeding was achieved in five of these patients. Rebleeding occurred within 24 h in one patient, and two patients had recurrence of haemoptysis at 6 months and 1 year, respectively. In these three patients, repeat embolisation succeeded in the immediate control of haemoptysis, and no rebleeding was reported at 1-year follow-up. BAE is an effective procedure with which to stabilize patients with massive haemoptysis in the acute phase, and to definitively treat some patients in the longer term.