[Interventional Radiological Treatment of Intercostal Artery Bleedings - a Retrospective Analysis]

Background Intercostal artery bleedings are potentially fatal injuries. Apart from conservative and surgical treatment options, emergency interventional radiological treatment can also be performed. We report our experience with emergency intercostal artery embolisation. Materials and Methods Patients with acute arterial bleedings from the intercostal artery who were treated interventionally over a period of 7 years were identified retrospectively. Technical and clinical success, clinical and procedural parameters as well as overall survival were analysed. Results Between 2010 and 2017, a total of 27 embolisation procedures was performed in 24 patients (14 male, mean age 65.7 ± 13.9 years). The majority of patients suffered from iatrogenic intercostal artery bleedings (n = 17; 70.1%; especially after thoracocentesis). In five cases, thoracoscopic surgery was attempted prior to intervention but was unsuccessful. Primary technical success was obtained in 25/27 interventions. In two cases, there was re-bleeding via collateral arteries so that re-intervention became necessary (secondary technical success). In 15 cases, secondary surgery after successful interventional treatment was necessary to evacuate the haematoma/haemothorax. Intercostal artery embolisation was clinically successful in 23/24 patients. One patient died despite technically successful embolisation, due to extensive haemothorax. One case of spinal ischaemia was observed as a major complication. Conclusion Intercostal artery embolisation is an effective interventional radiological emergency measure in patients with acute bleeding and is an alternative to surgical treatment even after attempted, unsuccessful surgery. Because of potentially severe complications, the interventional procedure should be performed by an experienced interventionalist.