Novel Bronchoscopic Management of Bleeding from The Respiratory Tract

Abstract

Background: Surgery is generally considered the treatment of choice for pulmonary hemorrhage. Unfortunately, existing data on alternative treatment methods are very scarce. However, the use of bronchoscopic procedures in managing such issues is gaining acceptance. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to improve the efficacy of managing pulmonary bleeding with a new interventional bronchoscopic procedure such as endobronchial valve pacement (EVP). Methods: For the first time in Georgia, we used a novel bronchoscopic procedure known as EVP with Medlung endobronchial valves. Results: In the patients who underwent EVP, the survival rate of 180 days after the intervention was 85.7%, compared to 54.3% in the conservative treatment group. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that sudden deaths because of profuse pulmonary bleeding did not occur in the research group. At the same time, 5 (19.23%) cases of pulmonary bleeding death occurred in the control group. Conclusions: EVP demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in pulmonary bleeding, with a lower death rate, while surgery is linked with a significantly higher risk.