To observe the immediate and long-term results of bronchial artery embolization(BAE) for hemoptysis and the factors influencing the recurrences.

This study involved 75 patients with massive, or moderate and recurrent hemoptysis, who underwent bronchial artery embolization(BAE) from 1994 to 1999. The underlying diseases included pulmonary tuberculosis in 35, bronchiectasis in 22, aspergilloma in 12, lung cancer in 3, and 3 with other diseases.

After BAE, bleeding was controlled immediately in 61 patients(82.7%). One patient died of another medical problem, 3 patients were referred to surgery and 5 patients could not be followed-up. In the remaining 66 patients who were followed for more than one-year after BAE, 37(56.1%) patients had another hemorrhage(26 hemoptysis, 11 minor hemosputa). Among the recurred 37 subjects, 19(51.4%) experienced hemorrhage within 1 month after BAE, 31(83.8%) within 1 year, and 36(94.1%) within 3 years. The underlying lung diseases, the amount of bleeding and the extent of the involved lungs were factors affecting the outcome, especially blood loss >500cc was an important factor affecting the recurrence. BAE for two cases with lung malignancy was ineffective. Long-term control of bleeding (3-year cumulative non-recurrence) was achieved in 30 subjects(45.5%).

Bronchial artery embolization(BAE) is effective as an initial treatment for moderate to massive hemoptysis. Because most of the recurrences occurred within 3 years, it is important to follow-up such patients for at least 3 years after BAE and the most significant factor affecting the prognosis was amount of blood loss.