Bronchial Artery Embolization with Large Sized (700–900 µm) Tris-acryl Microspheres (Embosphere) for Massive Hemoptysis: Long-Term Results (Clinical Research)

Purpose: To investigate the safety, efficacy and long-term results of bronchial artery embolization with microsphere particles (Embosphere® Microspheres, BioSphere Medical, Rockland, MA) 700–900 µm in size for massive hemoptysis. Methods: One hundred and seventy-four patients (94 female, 80 male; mean age 39.4 ± 5.7) who had bronchial artery embolization for massive hemoptysis between January 2010 and October 2015 were incorporated in the study. Patients had hemoptysis with a mean volume of 525 ± 150 mL (median 500 mL, range 300–1200 mL) over a 24-h period. Underlying pathologies included bronchial artery hypertrophy due to bronchiectasis (56.3% [98/174]), lung cancer (29.9% [52/174]), tuberculosis (10.3% [18/174]) and the rest remained idiopathic (3.4% [6/174]). Mean bronchial artery diameter before the intervention was 3.8 ± 1.5 mm (median 4 mm, range 3.1–7.5 mm). Median follow-up period was 56 months (range 10–82 months). Primary objectives were the technical and clinical success. Results: Technical success was 100%. Clinical success for preventing massive hemoptysis was 91.9% (160/174). There was no procedure-related mortality or morbidities. Minor complications such as chest pain were observed in nine patients (5.0%). Recurrent hemoptysis (8.1%) was observed within 6 months in 14 patients, ten of whom were treated with a second embolization session and the remaining four with a total of three embolization sessions. Conclusion: Bronchial artery embolization for massive hemoptysis with Embosphere particles 700–900 µm in size is a safe and effective method with high technical and clinical success rates. Long-term results are excellent. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE).