Treatment of Acute Hemoptysis by Bronchial Artery Embolization with the Liquid Embolic Agent Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the technical and clinical success of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) with the liquid embolic agent ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer in patients with acute hemoptysis.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients (25 male; mean age, 58 y; range, 13-78 y) who underwent BAE with EVOH were retrospectively reviewed. Reasons for acute hemoptysis included lung cancer (44%), pulmonary metastases (12%), bronchiectasis (21%), arteriovenous malformation (5%), tuberculosis (6%), aspergilloma (3%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (3%), anticoagulant overdose (3%), and scar tissue (3%). Technical and clinical success of BAE were retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

Embolization was technically successful in 94% of patients. Additional embolization material was needed in 4 patients (12%). The immediate clinical success rate was 94% (32 of 34); in 2 patients (6%), hemoptysis recurred immediately after the intervention or could not be stopped. Periinterventional minor complications included headache (n = 1), fever (n = 1), and acute renal failure (n = 1). During follow-up (mean, 8.8 mo), 5 patients had a recurrence of hemoptysis (15%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of EVOH copolymer for BAE in patients with acute hemoptysis is technically successful and safe and has a good clinical outcome with a low number of recurrences.