Bronchial artery embolization with polyvinyl alcohol foam and gelatinum sponge for serious hemoptysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam and gelatinum sponge (GS) for serious hemoptysis. METHOD: Of 46 patients with severe hemoptysis, BAE with only GS was performed in 21 cases and with both PVA and GS in 25 cases. RESULT: The total efficacy rate of BAE was 91.3%; and comparable between PVA+GS and GS groups (92.0%; vs 90.5%;, P>0.05). The total recurrence rate after BAE was 26.2%;, but lower in PVA+GS group than in GS group (11.3%; vs 42.1%;, P<0.05). No serious complications occurred in these patients after BAE. CONCLUSION: BAE is effective and safe for management of serious hemoptysis, and treatment with PVA+GS may effectively lower the recurrence rate.