Transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for arterial esophageal bleeding in esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for the treatment of arterial esophageal bleeding in esophageal cancer patients. METHODS: Between November 2008 and December 2014, five esophageal cancer patients underwent TAE with NBCA for the treatment of arterial esophageal bleeding. We retrospectively evaluated the technical and clinical success, recurrent bleeding, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: All of the patients had bleeding from the esophageal artery and were in shock at the beginning of TAE. Four patients had a coagulopathy at the time of TAE; however, the TAE could successfully arrest bleeding in all five patients. After TAE, they immediately recovered from the shock state. Two patients were discharged without event, one patient is currently hospitalized for another complication, and the other two patients died due to multiorgan failure. In addition, no procedure-related complications such as esophageal infarction and recurrence of arterial esophageal bleeding were observed during this study. CONCLUSIONS: TAE with NBCA can arrest bleeding in esophageal cancer patients with active arterial esophageal bleeding, even in those with a pre-existing coagulopathy.