Super-selective arterial embolization in the control of acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding is an emergency condition that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Embolization is considered the preferred therapy in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding when it is unrealistic to perform the surgery or vasopressin infusion in this population. Treatment of acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (any site below the ligament of Treitz) using this technique has not reached a consensus, because of the belief that the risk of intestinal infarction in this condition is extremely high. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this technique in a retrospective group of patients who underwent embolization for acute lower GI bleeding.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-selective arterial embolization in the management of acute lower GI bleeding.

A series of 31 consecutive patients with angiographically demonstrated small intestinal or colonic bleeding was retrospectively reviewed. The success rate and complication rate of super-selective embolization were recorded.

Five out of thirty-one patients (16.1%) could not achieve sufficiently selective catheterization to permit embolization. Initial control of bleeding was achieved in 26 patients (100%), and relapsed GI bleeding occurred in 1 of them at 1 wk after the operation. No clinically apparent bowel infarctions were observed in patients undergoing embolization.

Super-selective embolization is a safe therapeutic method for acute lower GI bleeding, and it is suitable and effective for many patients suffering this disease. Importantly, careful technique and suitable embolic agent are essential to the successful operation.