therapeutic embolization of bronchial artery for massive hemoptysis

34 bronchial and 13 intercostal arteries were selectively embolized in 27 patients. the most frequent predisposing factor was either active or residual pulmonary tuberculosis. the procedure was performed with urografin as the contrast agent, cobra shaped or headhunter catheters, and gelfoam (no. 18) or ivalon (no. 9) particles. the most common anatomic pattern was a common bonchial artery trunk (48%). immediate hemostasis was achieved in 23 of27 patients (85%). early recurrence (24-72 hours) occurred in 13%.2 patients underwent surgery following successful embolization. 16 patients were followed at least for six months, and reccurrent hemoptysis developed in three patients (18.75%). spinal cord injury with neurologic symptoms occurred in one patient. the immediate cause of the injury was probably the toxicity of the contrast medium.