Bronchial Artery Embolization for Life-threatening Hemoptysis: Preprocedural Imaging, Technical Considerations, and Management of Complications

• Published in: Acta Medica Nagasakiensia Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 71 - 78
• Main Authors: MAKINO, Kenji, SAKAMOTO, Ichiro, FUKUI, Kenichiro, ASHIZAWA, Kazuto, UETANI, Masataka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nagasaki University School of Medicine 2007
• Subjects: Bronchial artery embolization; Hemoptysis
• ISSN: 0001-6055
• DOI: 10.11343/amn.52.71

Life-threatening hemoptysis is one of the most challenging conditions of all respiratory emergencies, and requires prompt and proper treatment. With the advancement of catheter technology, efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for hemoptysis has been well established. However, in some cases, recurrent hemoptysis may occur during a short period of time after BAE due to blood supply via missed bronchial arteries or nonbronchial systemic arteries. Therefore, knowledge of anatomical variation of bronchial arteries and nonbronchial arterial supply contributing to hemoptysis is essential to achieve excellent long-term as well as short-term results. Additionally, interventional radiologists should be familiar with proper selection of catheters and embolic materials to increase the technical success rate and to reduce the procedure-related complications. In this article, we illustrate angiographic and computed tomographic anatomy of the bronchial and nonbronchial arterial supply, technical aspects, results, and complications of BAE. We also discuss the risk factors influencing recurrent hemoptysis after BAE.