Bronchial artery embolization for life-threatening hemoptysis using tris-acryl microspheres: short-term result.

A prospective study of 70 patients with life-threatening hemoptysis who had bronchial and systemic artery embolization with tris-acryl linked microspheres was performed over 15 months. The procedure was technically successful in 90% of patients and at 24 hr after the procedure (87%). Recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 13% of patients within the first week. Chest pain was experienced following embolization in 7% of patients. The mortality was 10% due to the inclusion of patients with pulmonary metastases. Bronchial artery embolization using microspheres is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with life-threatening hemoptysis who are not surgical candidates.