The Factors Related to Recurrence after Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for the Treatment of Hemoptysis

OBJECTIVES Massive hemoptysis is a major clinical problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter arterial embolization is widely used for the treatment of massive hemoptysis, but it was reported that the recurrence rate after embolization is 12-54% in the previous studies. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of massive hemoptysis and the factors related to recurrence. METHODS We reviewed 51 patients (M:F = 36:15) of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of massive hemoptysis from Jan 1988 to Dec 1994, retrospectively. RESULTS After arterial embolization, immediate successful control (< 1 wk) of massive hempotysis was achieved in 48 of 51 patients (94.1%) and recurrence of hemoptysis was observed in 17 of 51 patients (33.3%) during the follow-up period. The patients with non-bronchial artery hemoptysis and multiple artery bleeding had increased tendency of recurrence (77.7%). On the previous history of hemoptysis, the patients with massive hemoptysis (> 400 ml/24hr) or frequent history of hemoptysis had increased tendency of recurrence (87.5%, 72.7%). CONCLUSION Transcatheter arterial embolization is a useful and safe procedure for immediate control in massive hemoptysis. However, the patients with this procedure had a potentiality for recurrence. We suggest that close follow-up and caution will be needed in the patients with multiple artery bleeding or with large amounts of hemoptysis or with previous episodes more than 3 times.