Transcatheter bronchial artery embolization in the multimodality management of massive hemoptysis

To illustrate the potential role of transcatheter bronchial artery embolization (TBAE) in the multimodality management of massive hemoptysis, we describe a case in which TBAE was successfully employed as the definitive therapy. In recent years, the technique of TBAE has joined the armamentarium of managing methods for massive hemoptysis. While massive hemoptysis has traditionally been defined in terms of the volume of blood produced within a period of time, with a rate of 600 ml in 24 hours the most commonly used definition, a more functional definition has been proposed: bleeding into the tracheobronchial tree at a rate that poses a threat to life. It is the life-threatening nature of this symptom that often results in the early involvement of thoracic surgeons in the care of these patients.