Embolization of non-bronchial systemic collaterals for treatment of severe hemoptysis

Massive hemorrhage from bronchial circulation in 90% cases results in respiratory emergency. However, nonbronchial systemic arteries can be responsible for massive hemoptysis especially in patients with pleural involvement caused by an underlying disease. This study includes 174 cases of non-bronchial segmental artery embolization out of a total 400 cases of intervention embolotherapy, performed over a period of 11 years. The immediate control of hemoptysis was achieved in 160/174 (91.95 %). Repeat embolization within one week was done in fourteen patients (8.04%) who had massive recurrent hemoptysis 14/174(8.045%). The incidence of minor complications was in 60 /174 (34.48%) which includes transient dysphagia in 24/174(13.79%) and muscular chest pain in 36/174(20.6%). Major complication was not observed in any patient. Chest radiography was used as a primary tool for the diagnosis and localization of source of hemoptysis.