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Pelvic embolization for treatment of hemorrhage related to spontaneous and induced abortion
L Borgatta1, A Y Chen, S K Reid
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA. lynn.borgatta@bmc.org
Objective:
Presentation of outcomes of pelvic arterial embolization for hemorrhage after spontaneous or induced abortion.
Study Design:
We collected case reports of embolization after spontaneous or induced abortion from oral presentations and from members of the National Abortion Federation.
Results:
Pelvic arterial embolization was performed for 11 women who had hemorrhage after spontaneous or induced abortion, and it was initially successful for all women. One woman ultimately required a hysterectomy after unsuccessful repeated embolization. Prophylactic embolization was done for 8 women who were at risk for hemorrhage from placenta accreta; 4 of these women had subsequent hysterectomies.
Conclusions:
Selective pelvic arterial embolization may be a successful treatment for hemorrhage associated with spontaneous and induced abortion. Embolization can be considered before hysterectomy is undertaken for control of hemorrhage. There may be a role for prophylactic catheterization or embolization when there is a risk of severe hemorrhage.
