Role of interventional radiology in treating obstetric haemorrhages

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of selective uterine artery embolisation in patients with a high risk of haemorrhage due to obstetric issues.

We retrospectively reviewed the angiographic examinations of 63 patients (average age ± SD, 32.6 years ± 4.8), affected by an obstetric disease with a high risk of haemorrhage (22 cases of ectopic pregnancy, 41 of postpartum haemorrhage) and treated with an interventional approach. In particular, we considered the rate of second treatment with interventional technique or conservative or radical surgery, the incidence of postprocedural complications, and the absorbed radiation dose.

Immediate technical success, defined as the cessation of active bleeding, was achieved in all cases. Uterine artery embolisation was able alone to control the haemorrhage in 95.24 % of cases. Three patients required a second treatment to achieve haemostasis. No peri- or postprocedural complications were observed. At the 12-month follow-up after embolisation, 22/49 conservatively treated patients were found to be pregnant and successfully completed their pregnancy.

Selective uterine artery embolisation allows for safe and complete control of haemorrhage in patients with obstetric disease, with a very low incidence of complications and preservation of fertility.