Neurovascular complications post bronchial artery embolisation in patients with cystic fibrosis. A 7-year single centre retrospective review

Abstract

Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) is a treatment used to manage haemoptysis. We performed a 7-year review of BAE procedures for haemoptysis at our CF centre aiming to evaluate the incidence and outcomes of patients with neurovascular complications post-BAE. Our review suggests that whilst BAE is an effective method for controlling life-threatening haemoptysis, patients are at risk of developing neurovascular complications with long term residual symptoms, and therefore careful consideration should be given in offering BAE, especially to otherwise well patients with chronic small volume haemoptysis and managing teams should have a low threshold to image symptomatic patients.

Keywords: Bronchial artery embolisation; Cystic fibrosis; Haemoptysis.