A Patient’s Guide to Bronchial Artery Embolization
Summary
Bronchial Artery Embolisation (BAE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat life-threatening or recurrent bleeding into the lungs (hemoptysis). It is commonly performed for conditions like tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, or lung infections. The procedure involves using a catheter to inject embolic agents, such as coils or particles, into abnormal bronchial arteries to block blood flow and stop the bleeding. BAE is performed under local anesthesia with X-ray guidance and typically takes 2–3 hours. Patients usually stay overnight for observation and are discharged the following day. Post-procedure care includes rest, monitoring for complications, and follow-up imaging to assess effectiveness. While generally safe, rare risks include non-target embolization and vessel recanalization. With a high success rate (77–94%), BAE effectively manages hemoptysis, improving short-term outcomes and quality of life, although recurrence depends on the underlying condition and treatment efficacy.
What is Bronchial Artery Embolisation?
Bronchial artery embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure used to block abnormal arteries in the lungs. It is commonly performed to stop severe or chronic bleeding into the lungs, which may be life-threatening. This bleeding may result from chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis. The procedure is an angiographic interventional technique, meaning it uses cardiac catheterization and contrast dye. The dye helps create clearer images of the fine blood vessels in the lungs during X-ray. The problematic bronchial arteries, which are bleeding into the lungs, are blocked using special coils or particles, preventing blood flow through the affected vessels and stopping the bleeding.
Why is Bronchial Artery Embolisation performed?
Bronchial artery embolisation is primarily performed to treat life-threatening bleeding in the lungs, which can lead to hemoptysis (coughing up blood). Hemoptysis is often caused by chronic lung diseases, including tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), non-tuberculosis mycobacterial disease, and lung abscesses. Lung infections, such as fungal infections or mild pneumonia, can also cause bleeding. In cases of lung cancer or metastatic diseases, BAE is used to cut off the blood supply to tumors, effectively shrinking or eliminating them. Additionally, BAE can treat arteriovenous malformations in the lungs, preventing oxygenated blood from directly entering veins.
Also Read: What causes a person to vomit blood?
Am I a candidate for Bronchial Artery Embolisation?
You may be a suitable candidate for Bronchial Artery Embolisation if you:
- Experience persistent or severe hemoptysis (coughing up blood) that cannot be controlled by medication or non-invasive therapies.
- Have an identifiable, isolated source of bleeding in the lungs that is visible on imaging tests, such as CT scans or X-rays.
- Are stable enough to undergo an interventional radiology procedure, which will be determined by your doctor based on your medical history, imaging results, and overall health.
How to prepare for Bronchial Artery Embolisation
Before the Bronchial Artery Embolisation procedure by an interventional radiologist, the doctor will perform a full evaluation of the patient. They will perform standard blood tests and take a set of scans. The patient will be advised to stop regular medications they take for pre-existing conditions such as anticoagulants or anti platelet medication. The patient may be given antibiotics before the procedure as well to prevent infection. To prepare for the procedure, you will be asked to stop drinking water or eating anything for a certain number of hours before the surgery. This is an in-patient procedure, so you will need to be admitted to the hospital. Please get a friend or family member along for moral support, to help you with discharge formalities and take you home.
Bronchial Artery Embolisation – The Procedure
The Bronchial Artery Embolisation procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist. They have specialized expertise in using x-ray equipment in real time and minimally invasive techniques to perform procedures. The patient will be asked to lay down on an X-ray table in a hospital gown, typically on their back. The doctor may choose to use an artery in the groin, arm or wrist to perform the procedure. The chosen site is cleaned with antiseptic wipes. The patient is given a local anaesthetic and then a small incision is made. The local anaesthetic may sting or burn a bit, but the sensation will subside.
Small catheters are guided into the arteries in the lungs through the chosen artery, using real-time x-ray guidance. A contrast dye is injected into the arteries before the x-rays are taken to make it more readable and provide more detailed information. Once the catheter is positioned in the damaged artery, tiny particles or a liquid embolizing agent are injected into it. This blocks the artery and cuts off blood supply to the tumour or stops bleeding into the lungs. Small amounts of contrast dye are injected again to make sure the embolization has worked. The intervention radiologist then removes the catheter and closes the incision. The entire procedure typically lasts 2 to 3 hours.
Healing after Bronchial Artery Embolization
After the procedure, the patient is taken back to the ward to recover and is routinely monitored for signs of complications. They are generally kept under observation overnight in the hospital and may be discharged the following day. If you experience any pain, discomfort, or nausea after the procedure, notify the doctors or nurses immediately.
It is recommended that the patient avoid strenuous activities for about a week after discharge. The doctor will provide instructions on how to change the dressing at the incision site, if necessary, and offer guidance on other post-operative care. It is important to follow the doctor’s post-operative instructions closely. Pain medication may be prescribed to manage discomfort, and antibiotics may be given to prevent infection.
Follow-up appointments are essential to ensure proper healing. During these consultations, the doctor will perform imaging tests to confirm that the embolization has been successful.
Also Read: Interventional Radiology Management of Hemoptysis (Coughing up blood)
Risks associated with Bronchial Artery Embolization
Embolization is generally a safe procedure. Since it is minimally invasive, the risk of infection, blood loss and pain are low, but not completely zero. A small proportion of all patients who undergo bronchial artery embolization may develop complications such as non-target embolisation. This is when the embolizing agent moves from its intended location to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. The interventional radiologist will make every effort to avoid this, and the follow-ups will focus on checking this. However, sometimes it may still occur due to other factors. In rare cases, the embolizing agent may travel to spinal blood vessels causing paralysis, but that’s a worst-case scenario.
Long-Term Prognosis
The long-term prognosis for patients undergoing bronchial artery embolization depends on several factors, including the underlying medical condition, the extent of inflammation, and the patient’s overall health. The procedure is highly effective for controlling bleeding in the lungs in the short term, with a success rate ranging from 77% to 94%. However, the progression of the underlying disease can affect long-term control of the bleeding.
In comparison to surgical interventions, bronchial artery embolization has a lower complication rate and a lower fatality rate. Recurrence of bleeding may occur due to incomplete embolization or vessel recanalization, where the blood vessels reopen over time.
Overall, bronchial artery embolization is a safe and effective treatment for managing hemoptysis (lung bleeding). It provides significant relief and improves the patient’s quality of life compared to conservative management, offering a highly effective short-term solution.
For expert care in bronchial artery embolisation and a wide range of other medical services, trust the skilled team at Kauvery Hospital. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, our hospitals are dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare tailored to your needs. Visit one of our locations to experience compassionate and comprehensive care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bronchial Artery Embolization (BAE)?
BAE is a minimally invasive procedure that stops lung bleeding by blocking abnormal bronchial arteries using embolic agents.
Why is BAE performed?
It is mainly done to treat life-threatening or recurrent lung bleeding (hemoptysis) caused by conditions like tuberculosis, COPD, and bronchiectasis.
Who is the candidate for BAE?
Patients with severe or persistent hemoptysis and an identifiable bleeding source on imaging tests may be suitable candidates for BAE.
How do I prepare for Bronchial Artery Embolization?
Preparation includes a full medical evaluation, blood tests, imaging scans, stopping certain medications, fasting for a few hours, and arranging for support during the hospital stay.
What happens during the BAE procedure?
A small catheter is inserted (usually through the groin, arm, or wrist) and guided to the lung’s bleeding artery using X-rays. An embolic agent is then injected to block the abnormal blood flow.
What are the risks and long-term outcomes of BAE?
BAE is generally safe with a high success rate. However, risks include non-target embolization and potential recurrence of bleeding, which may depend on the underlying condition.
- Mar 12, 2025