Recurrence of life-threatening hemoptysis and arteriographic embolization

Q: Recurrence of life-threatening hemoptysis is higher in patients who undergo arteriographic embolization?

A) True
B) False



Answer: A

Arterial embolization has its unique advantage in extremely acute cases where it can successfully stop the bleeding in the majority of the cases. But, there is always a higher chance of recurrence of bleed in 6 to 12 months. The causes include incomplete embolization, revascularization, or recanalization. Some diseases tend to give recurrence of bleeding more like bleeding from aspergillomas, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, non-bronchial systemic collateral vessels, and bronchopulmonary shunting.

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#interventional-radiology



References:

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2. White RI Jr. Bronchial artery embolotherapy for control of acute hemoptysis: analysis of outcome. Chest 1999; 115:912. 

3. Osaki S, Nakanishi Y, Wataya H, et al. Prognosis of bronchial artery embolization in the management of hemoptysis. Respiration 2000; 67:412. 

4.  Panda A, Bhalla AS, Goyal A. Bronchial artery embolization in hemoptysis: a systematic review. Diagn Interv Radiol 2017; 23:307. 

5. Tom LM, Palevsky HI, Holsclaw DS, et al. Recurrent Bleeding, Survival, and Longitudinal Pulmonary Function following Bronchial Artery Embolization for Hemoptysis in a U.S. Adult Population. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2015; 26:1806.