Bronchial artery Embolization(BAE) for Hemoptysis of Small Amount: A Comparative Study with Conservative Management

Abstract

Background : Surgical intervention is known as the principle management for hemoptysis of significant amount. But surgical procedure is applicable to only small number of patients because of increased mortality in emergency surgery and various functional and structural problems after lung resection. Bronchial artery embolization(BAE) has been used as an alternative interventional technique for immediate control of patients with increased risk for surgery due to recurrent or massive hemoptysis. BAE also has limitations such as recurrent bleeding after procedure and its role for the application to small amount of hemoptysis is still not established. Method : To evaluate immediate and long term effectiveness of BAE, we analysed 65 patients with hemoptysis according to therapeutic modalities they received ; BAE versus conservative management. Results : The success rate for immediate control of hemoptysis was significantly higher in BAE group with 43 cases(100%) among 43 cases compared with 17 cases(77%) among 22 cases in conservative group (p months in BAE group and months in conservative group(p > 0.05). The therapeutic response in BAE group was 82%(36/43 cases) and 95%(21/22 cases) in conservative group (p > 0.05). According to the amount of hemoptysis, the therapeutic response were seen in 91%(29/32 cases) in less than 100ml and 85%(28/33 cases) in 100~400ml (p > 0.05). According to the manifestation of hemoptysis, the therapeutic response in groups of recurrent and nonrecurent were 87%(20/23 cases) and 88%(37/42 cases)(p > 0.05). Conclusion : The difference of therapeutic response between BAE and conservative group in patients with small amounts of hemoptysis was not found except for immediate control of hemoptysis.