Interventional radiology to treat severe obstetric hemorrhages

The author discusses the recent role of interventional radiology to prevent postpartum hemorrhagic complications that represent an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality all over the world. Hence, hemorrhage control is mandatory. Traditional management and recent minimally invasive radiological procedures by means of inserting occluding balloons into appropriate vessels are analyzed. It is advisable that maternity hospitals have protocols for the management of obstetric hemorrhage by means of interventional radiology, either in their own departments or in association with other large healthcare units that may have proper equipment and trained staff. However, the evidence related to its efficacy is limited to series of cases analyzed in tertiary centers. This is a promising technique that may be applied to severe obstetric hemorrhages and may bring beneficial results in the majority of cases.