Complications of Bronchial Arterial Embolization

Objective To evaluate the complications and its related factors of bronchial arterial embolization.Methods Bronchial arterial embolization was performed in 161 cases,26 of them with hemoptysis and the others with lung cancer.Bronchial artery angiograms were taken to confirm the blood supply of lesions.Embolization or chemoembolization was then performed in bronchial artery or its branches.Embolic agents used were Gelfoam particles,PVA and Lipiodol separately.Results Complications happened in 6.2% cases,consisited of spinal cord injury(1.2%),intercoastal artery ischemia(3.7%),and pulmonary arterial embolization(1.2%).Spinal cord injury and intercoastal symptoms occurred with bronchial artery embolization other than its branches.Spinal cord injury happened in PVA group and Lipiodol group,while pulmonary arterial embolization and intercoastal symptoms were seen in Lipiodol group and in all three groups respectively.Conclusion Transcatheter bronchial arterial embolization should be performed carefully.Super-selective catheterization is the method of choice to avoid potential ischemic complications.Gelfoam particles is a relatively safe embolic agent.