Novel approach to uterine artery pseudoaneurysm embolization for delayed post-partum hemorrhage

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysms (UAP) are a rare cause of post-partum hemorrhage. Conservative management is discouraged due to the risk of spontaneous hemorrhage. Intra-arterial embolization is highly successful (>90%) and offers definitive treatment. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with significant delayed post-partum hemorrhage after cesarean section who was found to have a UAP on imaging. Her tortuous vascular anatomy and spasmodic aneurysmal neck presented technical challenges to embolization with traditional material, such as gel foam and coils. Intra-arterial thrombin was then employed with good technical and clinical outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing the use of intra-arterial thrombin in the treatment of UAP. Given its success in this case, we argue that intra-arterial thrombin should be considered a viable alternative for embolization of UAP when more traditional techniques fail.