A prospective evaluation of hemoptysis cases in a tertiary referral hospital

Background and Aims: Hemoptysis is symptomatic of a potentially serious and life‐threatening thoracic disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative frequency of the different causes of hemoptysis, the change of the frequency of diseases, the value of the evaluation process and the outcome in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on consecutive patients presented with hemoptysis. Results: A total of 178 patients (136 male, 42 female) were included to the study. Lung cancer (51), pulmonary embolism (23) and bronchiectasis (23) constituted most of the diagnosis. The most frequent cause of hemoptysis in males was by far lung carcinoma (50). Twelve cases of bronchiectasis and 11 cases of pulmonary embolism were observed in females. While lung cancer and pulmonary embolism were associated with mild to moderate amounts of bleeding (84% and 100%, respectively), patients with active tuberculosis and pulmonary vasculitis had severe to massive hemoptysis (50% and 44%, respectively). Transthoracic and other organ biopsies, spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography (X pres/GX model TSX‐002a, Toshiba, Tochigi Ken, Japan) and aortography yielded high diagnostic results in our group (100%, 67%, 59% and 100%, respectively). The most frequent final diagnosis in patients with normal chest radiograph was pulmonary embolism (seven cases). Conclusions: Lung cancer, pulmonary embolism and bronchiectasis were the main causes of hemoptysis in this prospective cohort; however, this is the first report showing pulmonary embolism as a leading cause of hemoptysis. CT angiography with high‐resolution CT should be the primary diagnostic modality if the initial investigation is inconclusive in hemoptysis cases. Please cite this paper as: Uzun O, Atasoy Y, Findik S, Atici AG and Erkan L. A prospective evaluation of hemoptysis cases in a tertiary referral hospital. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 131–138.     

Course of erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (ERD)--a prospective examination under therapeutic daily life conditions with a mean follow-up of 6.5 years

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic screening for Barrett's esophagus is an accepted base for surveillance strategies of Barrett's esophagus; data on the natural history of erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (ERD) are sparse. Therefore, we performed a prospective long-term follow-up examination of the course of ERD to confirm the recommendation of a once-in-lifetime endoscopy as a screening programme for Barrett's esophagus. METHODS: Patients not older than 60 years with reflux symptoms and a first time diagnosis of ERD or Barrett's esophagus at the time of inclusion were identified. Patients were followed up by a further upper GI endoscopy after at least 5 years. They were interviewed about clinical symptoms and medication use. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five patients were included. Follow-up data were obtained for 115 patients. Seventy-one patients (22 female, 49 male, average age: 48.3 years; range: 22-60 years) remained in the programme, 37 patients died from unrelated diseases within the follow-up period (mostly due to cardiovascluar diseases). Seven patients were excluded because of missing videoendoscopy. The average follow-up period was 78.3 (range: 60-85) months. During this time, 76 % of the patients received medical therapy. Only three patients (4.5 %) showed progression of erosive lesions, whereas two patients developed a short-segment Barrett's esophagus without intraepithealial neoplasia. These 5 patients received no medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of ERD is an unlikely event. Once-in-lifetime endoscopy is an adequate screening tool that may serve as a basis for a Barrett's esophagus surveillance program.     

Results of surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma with 26 cases in six years: a single center experience

Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma is reputed to be risky. We analyzed our results of the surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma. Between 2003 and 2009, 26 patients underwent thoracotomy for treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma in our center. Results were evaluated retrospectively. There were 5 female and 21 male patients, with a mean age of 44 ± 11.6 years (28-70). The patients were divided into two groups, group A (simple aspergilloma; n= 8) and group B (complex aspergilloma; n= 18). Major underlying diseases were tuberculosis (61.5%). The most common indication for operation was hemoptysis (57.6%). Of our patients, 23% were complaining of massive hemoptysis or recurrent hemoptysis. Other patients were complaining of mild symptoms and some of them were totally asymptomatic. We performed 15 (57.6%) lobectomies (3 with associated segmentectomies), 8 (30.6%) segmentectomies/wedge resections, 2 (7.6%) pneumonectomies, and 1 (3.8%) cavernoplasty. Postoperative complications occurred in 15 (57.6%) patients. Complications occurred in 72.2% patients of complex aspergilloma, whereas 25% occurred in simple aspergilloma (p= 0.03). Major complications included prolonged air leak, empyema, air space. One patient who underwent lobectomies for complex aspergilloma developed bronchopleural fistula and died of respiratory failure on the 20th postoperative day. Operative mortality was 3.8%. The average postoperative hospital stay was 12.9 days. The mean follow-up period was average 44 months. The actuarial survival at 3 years was 90% and 100% for complex aspergilloma and simple aspergilloma, respectively (p> 0.05). There was two recurrence of disease (8%). But no recurrence of hemoptysis. Low morbidity rate may have been due to the selection of patients with localized pulmonary disease in this study. Surgical resection of asymptomatic or symptomatic pulmonary aspergilloma is effective in preventing recurrence or massive hemoptysis for patients whose condition is fit for pulmonary resection with reasonable mortality, morbidity and survival rates.     

A prospective analysis of 184 hemoptysis cases: diagnostic impact of chest X-ray, computed tomography, bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of hemoptysis often raises a number of diagnostic possibilities. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the relative frequency of different causes of hemoptysis and the value of chest radiography, computed tomography (CT) scanning and fiber-optic bronchoscopy in the evaluation of a Greek cohort population. METHODS: We prospectively followed a total of 184 consecutive patients (137 males/47 females, 145 smokers/39 nonsmokers) admitted with hemoptysis between January 2001 and December 2003 to the University Hospital of Heraklion. Follow-up data were collected on August 2005. RESULTS: The main causes of hemoptysis were bronchiectasis (26%), chronic bronchitis (23%), acute bronchitis (15%) and lung cancer (13%). Bronchiectasis was significantly more frequent in nonsmokers (p < 0.02). Among nonsmokers, patients with moderate/severe bleeding or a history of tuberculosis were more likely to have bronchiectasis (OR 8.25; 95% CI 1.9-35.9, p = 0.007 and OR 16.5; 95% CI 1.7-159.1, p = 0.007, respectively). Nonsmokers with normal or abnormal X-rays were equally likely to have bronchiectasis (OR 2.5; 95% CI 0.66-9.39, p = 0.2). Lung cancer was only found in smokers. Smokers with normal X-rays were less likely to have lung cancer compared to smokers with abnormal X-ray (OR 5.4; 95% CI 1.54-19.34, p = 0.004). There were no smokers with normal CT and lung cancer. Follow-up data were collected in 91% of patients. Lung cancer did not develop in any patient assumed to have hemoptysis of another origin than lung cancer on initial evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchiectasis is the main diagnosis in patients admitted with hemoptysis to a Greek University Hospital and it is more frequent among nonsmokers with moderate/severe bleeding and/or previous tuberculosis infection. Nonsmokers with moderate/severe hemoptysis and/or a history of tuberculosis should be evaluated with high-resolution CT. Smokers with hemoptysis are at increased risk for lung cancer and need to be extensively evaluated with chest CT and bronchoscopy.     

Bronchoscopy-guided topical hemostatic tamponade therapy for the management of life-threatening hemoptysis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening condition. Therapeutic strategies such as interventional angiography, surgery, and/or bronchoscopy have been applied in the clinical setting with variable results. We investigated the efficacy of bronchoscopy-guided topical hemostatic tamponade therapy (THT) using oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) mesh in the management of life-threatening hemoptysis. DESIGN: Seventy-six consecutive patients underwent emergency bronchoscopy for massive hemoptysis. Fifty-seven patients (75%) had persistent endobronchial bleeding despite bronchoscopic wedging technique, cold saline solution lavage, and instillation of regional vasoconstrictors. These patients subsequently underwent THT according to the same procedure. SETTING: Teaching hospital, bronchoscopy unit of a 300-bed tertiary pulmonary referral center. RESULTS: THT with ORC was successfully performed on 56 of 57 patients (98%) with an immediate arrest of hemoptysis. All patients successfully treated with THT remained free of hemoptysis for the first 48 h. None required intensive care support or immediate surgery. Mean procedure time (+/- SD) of THT was 11.5 +/- 4.2 min. Recurrence of hemoptysis that was characterized as being mild (< 30 mL) to moderate (30 to 100 mL) developed in six patients (10.5%) 3 to 6 days after THT. Post-obstructive pneumonia developed in five subjects (9%) after endoscopic THT. A subgroup of patients (n = 14) underwent bronchoscopic follow-up 4 weeks after discharge. The ORC mesh was absorbed in all of these patients without signs of foreign body reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial THT using ORC is a safe and practicable technique in the management of life-threatening hemoptysis with a high success and a relatively low complication rate.     

The higher risk of bleeding in lung transplant recipients from bronchoscopy is independent of traditional bleeding risks: results of a prospective cohort study

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether recipients of lung transplants have a higher risk of bleeding from fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) than other patients who undergo the procedure. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Bronchoscopy services of Johns Hopkins Hospital, a tertiary referral center and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, a community hospital. PATIENTS: All adult patients (18 years) who underwent FOB between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1997 by the full-time pulmonary medicine staff were included. A total of 720 procedures were performed, including 38 in lung transplant recipients. MEASUREMENTS: Bleeding was assessed by reviewing physician reports of bloody drainage after the procedure and whether the procedure was terminated early for bleeding. Patient reports of hemoptysis were assessed using questionnaires administered pre- and post-FOB. Predictor variables included patient demographics, bleeding parameters (platelets, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time), immunosuppressive medications, aspirin use, use of transbronchial biopsy, and the time length of the procedure. RESULTS: Lung transplant recipients were significantly more likely to have used aspirin prior to FOB (18.4 vs 7.2%, p < 0.05) and to undergo transbronchial biopsy (64.9 vs 26.8%, p < 0.001). Lung transplant patients were more likely to have new or worsened hemoptysis (53.8 vs 24.6%, p < 0.001), to have > 25 mL of blood loss (44.5 vs 17.5%, p < 0.001) and to have the procedure terminated early for bleeding (5.4 vs 1.0%, p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, predictors of new or worsened hemoptysis included lung transplant, longer procedure time, and older patient age. Independent predictors of greater blood loss included lung transplant, performance of transbronchial biopsy, longer procedure time, and older patient age. CONCLUSIONS: Lung transplant recipients are at higher risk of bleeding from bronchoscopy than are other patients. This propensity to bleed is independent of coagulation parameters, platelet count, immunosuppressive medication use, aspirin use, or performance of transbronchial biopsy. The higher risk of bleeding should be considered when assessing the risks and benefits of bronchoscopy in lung transplant recipients.     

支气管动脉栓塞术治疗大咯血的疗效分析

目的 :探讨支气管动脉栓塞术治疗大咯血的疗效。方法 :36例大咯血患者用明胶海绵颗粒行支气管动脉栓塞。患者肺部基础病变包括 :支气管扩张 13例 ,肺结核 11例 ,肺癌 9例 ,肺脓肿 1例 ,隐源性咯血 2例。结果 :2 9例即刻止血 (80 .6 % )。在 2年的随访中 ,术后 15d内复发大咯血并窒息死亡者 4例 ,另外 4例复发咯血者 ,3例再次行BAE治疗。支气管动脉栓塞术后因复发而行手术治疗者 2例。因此 ,2年随访总的有效率和复发率分别为 83.3%和 2 2 .8%。主要的并发症为自限性的短暂胸痛和发热。结论 :支气管动脉栓塞术是大咯血的一种安全、微创、高效的治疗方法     

Severe hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin: signs and role of multidetector row CT angiography

BACKGROUND: Hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin is a diagnostic challenge in patients admitted to a respiratory ICU (RICU) for treatment of hemoptysis. Its early accurate recognition and treatment reduce morbidity and prevent mortality. Multidetector row CT angiography (MDCTA) is an accurate method for imaging the systemic vascular network. Our aim was to assess the MDCTA signs and role in managing hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin. METHODS: We performed a retrospective clinical and radiologic analysis of all consecutive patients who were referred for severe hemoptysis to our RICU and were treated by endovascular means between January 2004 and December 2006. We reviewed all of those cases with hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin. RESULTS: Of 272 patients who were referred for severe hemoptysis to the RICU, 189 patients were treated by endovascular means. Thirteen patients (nine men, four women; mean age, 45 years) had hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin. Signs of pulmonary arterial hemoptysis seen on MDCTA were of the following three types: pseudoaneurysm (n = 5); aneurysm of the pulmonary artery (n = 3); or the presence of a pulmonary artery in the inner wall of a cavity (n = 5). Hypertrophy of the bronchial arteries seen on MDCTA associated with any of these signs predicted the necessity to treat both the bronchial and pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary artery vasoocclusion was performed as a first treatment in eight patients with such an association (n = 1) or without such an association (n = 7) along with bronchial artery embolization. The remaining five patients were treated with systemic artery embolization, followed by surgery (n = 1), pulmonary artery vasoocclusion (n = 3), and death from massive hemoptysis (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: MDCTA performed prior to endovascular treatment allows the correct identification and early appropriate management of severe hemoptysis of pulmonary arterial origin.     

Juvenile onset systemic sclerosis: a single center experience of 23 cases from Asia

The aim of this paper was to study the spectrum of juvenile scleroderma (JSSc) seen at a tertiary care referral center in Asia. Retrospective analysis of case records of patients with systemic sclerosis, having age of onset less than 16 years and seen at our hospital from 1988 to 2004, was done. Patients with linear scleroderma and morphea were excluded. There were 23 patients (19 girls, 4 boys) with median age of onset of 12 years (range 5–16 years). The median age at presentation was 17 years (range 10–34 years). The median time from first symptoms to presentation was 4 years (range 0.2–26 years). Among these, 14 had diffuse systemic sclerosis (DSSc), while 9 had limited scleroderma (LSSc). The clinical features seen at presentation in patients were: Raynaud’s phenomenon in 19, digital ulcers in 14, loss of finger tip pulp in 12, reflux in 8, dysphagia in 7, arthritis in 8, digital gangrene in 2, and pulmonary artery hypertension in 1. Antinuclear antibody was positive in 15 out of 18 patients tested. Interstitial lung disease was seen in 15 patients, 6 of whom had diffuse disease. The median skin score was 22 (range 7–48) .One patient died of primary pulmonary hypertension within 1 year of onset of symptoms. At a mean follow-up of 34 months, 14 patients were stable or had improvement in skin score or dyspnea on exertion. DSSc and LSSc in childhood have a clinical presentation similar to adult patients, with cardiopulmonary involvement being the major predictor of outcome. The short-term prognosis of JSSc is good.     

介入栓塞治疗肺动脉假性动脉瘤伴大咯血的临床疗效分析

目的 探讨体肺双途径栓塞治疗肺动脉假性动脉瘤(pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms,PAPs)伴大咯血的临床疗效及安全性.方法 回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年2月海南医学院第二附属医院收治的经CT血管造影(CT angiography,CTA)/数字减影血管造影(digital subtractive angiography,DSA)证实为PAPs伴大咯血的15例肺结核患者的临床资料.记录相关影像学表现、介入治疗技术和临床止血成功情况,随访1年内咯血复发状况.结果 共发现15个PAPs,肺CTA发现14个,血管造影发现1个.术中仅支气管动脉造影发现6个,仅肺动脉造影发现4个,支气管动脉及肺动脉造影均发现4个,1个体肺动脉造影均未发现.介入栓塞术后咯血有效止血14例,1例患者术中因大咯血窒息导致死亡.患者随访12个月,其中1例患者术后2周复发大咯血行外科切除术;1例咯血术后3个月余复发,再次行介入栓塞后咯血停止.结论 经体肺双途径栓塞治疗肺结核患者PAPs伴大咯血的临床疗效确切,方法可行,但仍有一定风险.     

Goodpasture's syndrome: two cases with contrasting early course and management.

In 2 patients with hemoptysis and hematuria, Goodpasture's syndrome was documented by clinical presentation, demonstration of circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies, and demonstration of linear immunofluorescence along glomerular and alveolar basement membranes. One patient was considered to have progressive disease and was treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide. During the subsequent 18-month follow-up period, clinical remission occurred with eventual disappearance of hematuria and detectable circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies. The other patient did not have active hemoptysis at the time of referral and no therapy was instituted. After 12 months of follow-up, hemoptysis remains quiescent but hematuria and positive circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies persist. Although therapy appears to have been particularly effective in one patient, the benign course of the other patient precludes premature enthusiasm for early intervention.     

Prognosis in pediatric idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Previously, IPH patients have been reported to have an average survival of 2.5 years. However, at our institution, many IPH patients have survived longer than that. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the clinical course and current mortality of pediatric IPH patients treated with immunosuppressants. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen patients in whom IPH was diagnosed between 1972 and 1998. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 4.5 +/- 3.5 years, and 12 patients were female. At diagnosis, all patients had anemia and pulmonary infiltrates; 85% had hypoxemia, 65% had hemoptysis, and 70% had fever. The diagnosis was made by open lung biopsy in 13 patients (76%), hemosiderin-laden macrophages in BAL fluid in 1 patient (6%), hemosiderin-laden macrophages in gastric aspirate in 2 patients (12%), or by clinical presentation alone in 1 patient (6%). The mean duration of follow-up for all patients was 3.6 +/- 3.4 years (range, 0.7 to 10.2). Initial treatment consisted of prednisone only in 14 patients (82%), and prednisone and hydroxychloroquine in two patients (12%). Thirteen patients (76%) required long-term corticosteroids because of recurrent hemoptysis. Eight patients (47%) required other immunosuppressants (hydroxychloroquine or azathioprine) in addition to prednisone to control their hemoptysis. One patient who was not treated with prednisone remained asymptomatic for 1.8 years. Three patients (17%) died of acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage (4.1 +/- 5.0 years postdiagnosis). CONCLUSION: Five-year survival for IPH patients in our study was 86% (by Kaplan-Meier method). We conclude that these IPH patients who received long-term treatment had a better outcome than those previously reported who were not treated with extended courses of immunosuppressive therapy. We speculate that long-term immunosuppression therapy may improve the prognosis in IPH.     

胰腺占位经皮Trucut针穿刺活检的临床应用

目的 探讨超声或CT引导下经皮Trucut活检针穿刺活检对胰腺占位的诊断价值.方法 对124例临床诊断胰腺癌但无病理诊断的患者在超声或CT引导下行经皮Trucut针穿刺活检检查.结果 超声引导下穿刺109例,CT引导下穿刺15例.平均每例穿刺2.3次.124例患者均获取组织标本,病理诊断与临床符合率95.2％,其中腺癌115例,囊腺瘤5例,转移癌2例,来源不明癌1例,1例未见癌细胞.诊断敏感性99.2％,特异性100％,准确率99.2％.3例术后出现一过性血清淀粉酶升高;5例术后腹痛加重,均经对症处理后症状减轻;1例术后34 d发现原穿刺部位皮下种植转移.无其他严重并发症.结论 超声或CT引导下经皮胰腺肿物16～18G Trucut针穿刺活检是一种安全、简便、诊断准确率高的方法.     

Factores predictores de recanalización arterial en pacientes con hemoptisis amenazante que requieren embolización arterial

Introduction

Artery embolization (AE) is a safe and useful procedure in the management of massive hemoptysis. The objective of our study was to describe the experience of AE in a tertiary referral center, to characterize angiographic findings at the time of recurrence, and to analyze factors associated with these findings.

Material and methods

Observational retrospective study of patients presenting with life-threatening hemoptysis. All consecutive patients with at least one episode of hemoptysis that required AE during a 13-year period were included. The effects of i) time to recurrence; ii) use of coils, and iii) number of arteries embolized on the likelihood that the recurrence was secondary to recanalization were assessed.

Results

One hundred seventy-six patients were included in the study. Twenty-two patients (12.5%) died due to hemoptysis. Probability of recurrence-free survival at one month was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.95), at 12 months was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.91), and after 3 years was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.66 to 0.83). A longer time to recurrence was associated with a higher probability that the hemorrhage affected the same artery (estimate = 0.0157, z-value = 2.41, p-value = 0.016).

Conclusion

AE is a safe and useful technique in the management of massive and recurrent hemoptysis. Nevertheless, recurrence after embolization is not uncommon. Recurring hemoptysis due to recanalization is related to time to recurrence, but not to the use of coils or number of arteries embolized.     

Cryptogenic hemoptysis: from a benign to a life-threatening pathologic vascular condition

RATIONALE: Data on hemoptysis of unknown origin (i.e., "cryptogenic") are scarce and the outcome of patients affected is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical spectrum and course of patients with cryptogenic hemoptysis, as well as pathologic findings when surgery is performed. METHODS: A cohort of 81 patients referred for cryptogenic hemoptysis after clinical evaluation, chest radiography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and computed tomographic scan to a respiratory intermediate care and intensive care unit, from December 1995 to August 2004, with a prospective follow-up by visit or telephone interview. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 81 patients (69 males) had a mean cumulative volume of hemoptysis averaging 190 ml on admission. First-line conservative measures and bronchial artery embolization controlled hemoptysis in 73 patients (90%). Emergency surgery was performed in six patients (7%) because of failure of bronchial artery embolization, and secondary surgery was scheduled in a seventh patient. A total of 73 patients were followed for a mean of 47 (+/- 35) months. No lung cancer developed. Hemoptysis recurred in 10 patients (4 within the first year; 6 between 1 and 8 yr later), 2 of whom underwent surgery. A specific bronchial vascular involvement (Dieulafoy disease) was demonstrated in five of the nine patients who had undergone surgery, especially in those with high amounts of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptogenic hemoptysis may be a life-threatening condition. Nonsurgical approaches provide immediate control of bleeding in most patients with cryptogenic hemoptysis, with few recurrences in both short and long terms. Dieulafoy disease of the bronchus, unsuspected after routine imaging investigations, may be involved in a subset of patients yet to be determined.     

Bronchial artery embolization for the management of nonmassive hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Hemoptysis is a common complication in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Current approaches to patients with hemoptysis include conservative medical therapy, bronchial artery embolization (BAE), and surgery. We investigated the effectiveness of early BAE on the outcome in patients with minor bleeding. DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: We reviewed the clinical records from the Cystic Fibrosis Service for eight consecutive patients treated with medical therapy who had undergone early BAE and eight matched patients treated with conservative medical therapy alone. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed the mean number of bleeding episodes, pulmonary exacerbations, lung function (FEV(1)), Shwachman score, and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scores, the year before BAE and for the 3 ensuing years. RESULTS: During a 3-year follow-up, patients who underwent embolization had significantly fewer bleeding episodes (p < 0.001) and pulmonary exacerbations (p < 0.006). Lung function declined significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). The modified Shwachman score declined significantly during the follow-up only in patients who did not undergo embolization (p < 0.001). Patients treated by early embolization had significantly better NHP scores, indicating a better quality of life (p < 0.05). None of the patients who underwent BAE had adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Early BAE in patients with CF who have nonmassive hemoptysis is an effective, safe therapeutic approach offering better long-term control of recurrent bleeding and quality of life than medical therapy alone.     

Referral patterns of patients with liver metastases due to colorectal cancer for resection

Introduction  Colorectal carcinoma accounts for 10% of cancer deaths in the Western World, with the liver being the most common site of distant metastases. Resection of liver metastases is the treatment of choice, with a 5-year survival rate of 35%. However, only 5–10% of patients are suitable for resection at presentation. Aims  To examine the referral pattern of patients with liver metastases to a specialist hepatic unit for resection. Methodology  Retrospective review of patient’s charts diagnosed with colorectal liver metastases over a 10-year period. Results  One hundred nine (38 women, 71 men) patients with liver metastases were included, mean age 61 years; 79 and 30 patients had synchronous and metachronus metastases, respectively. Ten criteria for referral were identified; the referral rate was 8.25%, with a resection rate of 0.9%. Forty two percent of the patients had palliative chemotherapy; 42% had symptomatic treatment. Conclusion  This study highlights the advanced stage of colorectal cancer at presentation; in light of modern evidence-based, centre-oriented therapy of liver metastasis, we conclude that criteria of referral for resection should be based on the availability of treatment modalities.     

Prognosis of bronchial artery embolization in the management of hemoptysis

BACKGROUND: Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a well-accepted and widely used treatment modality for the management of massive and recurrent hemoptysis. However, few reports have previously investigated the long-term results. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognosis of patients with hemoptysis who had undergone BAE. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with hemoptysis underwent BAE. The underlying diseases included bronchiectasis in 9, aspergillosis in 3, chronic bronchitis in 2, idiopathic bronchial bleeding in 4, and other diseases in 4. The follow-up period ranged from 25 to 88 months (median 47 months). RESULTS: After the initial BAE, 11 of 22 (50%) patients had re-bleeding (5 patients with hemoptysis and 6 patients with minor hemosputa). Among them, 1 patient suffered from recurrent massive hemoptysis and died from airway obstruction within 1 month after BAE. In addition, 10 of these 11 (90.9%) patients experienced recurrent airway bleeding within 3 years after BAE. Recurrent cases of hemoptysis were seen in 6 of 22 patients (27.3%) within 3 years and no case recurred later than 3 years after BAE. A recurrence of hemoptysis was frequently seen in patients with either bronchiectasis or pulmonary-bronchial artery (P-B) shunt. Although BAE is an effective treatment for the immediate control of hemoptysis, 5 of the patients experienced recurrent bleeding in the long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to follow-up such patients until 3 years after initial BAE, especially when either ectatic changes of the bronchi on a CT scan or a P-B shunt on angiographic findings are detected.     

Excellent survival and low incidence of arrhythmias, stroke and heart failure long-term after surgical ASD closure at young age. A prospective follow-up study of 21-33 years.

AIMS: Although studies have suggested good long-term results, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular dysfunction are mentioned as sequelae long-term after surgical atrial septal defect closure at young age. Most studies were performed only by questionnaire and in a retrospective manner. The long-term outcome is very important with regard to future employment and acceptance on insurance schemes. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five consecutive ASD-patients, operated on in childhood, were studied longitudinally with ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing and Holter-recording 15 (10-22) and 26 (21-33) years after surgery. During follow-up no cardiovascular mortality, stroke, heart failure and no pulmonary hypertension occurred. Symptomatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias were present in 6% after 15 years, and an additional 2% occurred in the last decade; 5% needed pacemaker implantation. No relation was found between arrhythmias and type of ASD, baseline data, right ventricular dimensions, or age at operation. Left and right ventricular function and dimension remained unchanged. Slightly more patients had right atrial dilatation at last follow-up. Exercise capacity was comparable with the normal Dutch population. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome after ASD closure at young age shows excellent survival and low morbidity. The incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias is lower than in natural history studies of ASD patients and also lower than after surgical correction at adult age.