Bronchial Artery Embolization

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is used in the management of severe hemoptysis. Varying etiologies can affect the airways and pulmonary parenchyma and cause hemoptysis, such as lung cancer, bronchiectasis, and infections such as tuberculosis and aspergillosis. Bronchial angiography can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. Optimal treatment can reduce the 50–85% mortality rate of massive hemoptysis to less than 20%. BAE typically provides reliable control of hemoptysis and cessation of bloody sputum –preventing asphyxiation which is the usual cause of death. Recurrent bleeding depends upon etiology and technique: 1-month rebleeding rates vary from 2% to 27%, and long-term recurrence rates (up to 46 months) range from 10% to 52%.