Uterine artery embolization in the treatment and prevention of postpartum hemorrhage

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of superselective transcatheter uterine artery embolization for control of obstetric hemorrhage.

Between January 2002 and December 2005, 14 consecutive patients underwent uterine artery embolization to control postpartum hemorrhage, and two to prevent hemorrhage before second-trimester therapeutic abortion.

Embolization was performed by transfemoral arterial catheterization. Pieces of absorbable gelatin sponge were used in all cases, with the addition of platinum coils in two cases for complete vessel occlusion. Optimal bleeding control was achieved in all cases but one--a patient who underwent hysterectomy due to embolization failure. No severe complications were observed.

The high success rate, low morbidity rate, and possibility of preserving reproductive function have made superselective uterine artery embolization the technique of choice to control life-threatening, intractable postpartum hemorrhage in hemodynamically stable patients, provided multidisciplinary medical teams are promptly available.