Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Ischemia Remains a Concern Even with a...

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).

Study group comprised all patients receiving angiography for LGIB in the Helsinki University Hospital during the period of 2004-2016. Hospital medical records provided the study data. Rebleeding, complication, and mortality rates (≤ 30 days) were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included need for blood transfusions, durations of intensive care unit and hospital admissions, incidence of delayed rebleeding, and long-term complications, as well as overall survival.

During the study period, angiography for LGIB was necessary on 123 patients. Out of 123, 55 (45%) underwent embolization attempts. TAE was technically successful in 53 (96%). Rebleeding occurred in 14 (26%). The complication rate was 36%, minor complications occurring in 10 (19%) and major in nine (17%). Major complications resulted in bowel resection in seven (13%). Post embolization ischemia was the most common single complication seen in nine (17%). The mortality rate was 6%. Survival estimates of 1 and 5 years were 79 and 49%.

LGIB is a severe physiological insult occurring in patients who are often elderly and moribund. Although major post embolization complications occur, transcatheter arterial embolization should be the first-line approach over surgery in profuse LGIB in patients with hemodynamic instability, when colonoscopy fails or is unavailable, or when computerized tomography angiography detects small intestinal bleeding.