Bronchial Artery Embolization Treatment During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-center Experience

Abstract

Objective: Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) now serves as the standard treatment for hemoptysis. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of the patients who undergo BAE during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic period. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients that presented to the hospital with hemoptysis and received bronchial arterial embolization treatment during the pandemic period. Age, gender, history of previous diseases, and related data were collected. Results: The study was conducted with 11 patients whose 18.18% (n=2) were female and 81.81% (n=9) were male. The mean age of the patients is 61.27 +/- 10.94 and they stayed in hospital 21.18 +/- 19.59 days on average. Infection and bronchiectasis were seen as the leading cause of hemorhagee. Also, alveolar hemorrhage seen 81.8% (n=9) of the patients. Dilated bronchial arteries were seen on 72.7% (n=8) of the patients. Although 54.5% (n=6) of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit after the procedure, no complication or mortality seen in any patient during the procedure. Conclusion: Bronchial arterial embolization is an effective minimally invasive technique for treating hemoptysis. This invasive procedure could be applied safely during the pandemic period.