Outcome of pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage: A retrospective review of 117 cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate indications, efficacy, and complications associated with pelvic arterial embolization (PAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 117 consecutive patients who underwent PAE for PPH between January 2006 and June 2013. RESULTS: In our single-center study, 117 women underwent PAE to control PPH refractory to conservative management including uterine massage, use of uterotonic agents, surgical repair of genital tract lacerations, and removal of retained placental tissues. Among 117 patients, 69 had a vaginal delivery and 48 had a Cesarean section. The major indication for embolization was uterine atony (54.7%). Other causes were low genital tract lacerations (21.4%) and abnormal placentation (14.5%). The procedure showed a clinical success rate of 88.0% with 14 cases of PAE failure; there were 4 hemostatic hysterectomies and 10 re-embolizations. On univariate analysis, PAE failure was associated with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (P=0.009), transfusion of more than 10 red blood cell units (RBCUs, P=0.002) and embolization of both uterine and ovarian arteries (P=0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that PAE failure was only associated with transfusions of more than 10 RBCUs (odds ratio, 8.011; 95% confidence interval, 1.531-41.912; P=0.014) and embolization of both uterine and ovarian arteries (odds ratio, 20.472; 95% confidence interval, 2.715-154.365; P=0.003), which were not predictive factors, but rather, were the results of longer time for PAE. Three patients showed uterine necrosis and underwent hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: PAE showed high success rates, mostly without procedure-related complications. Thus, it is a safe and effective adjunct or alternative to hemostatic hysterectomy, when primary management fails to control PPH.

Reembolización de arterias uterinas por hemorragia posparto en una segunda gestación / Uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage in a second pregnancy

La hemorragia posparto es la principal causa de muerte obstétrica. Presentamos el caso de una gestación y parto normales tras la embolización bilateral de ambas arterias uterinas, por hemorragia posparto en la gestación anterior. La paciente requirió de una nueva embolización bilateral de arterias uterinas en esta segunda gestación con buen resultado obstétrico. La embolización arterial pélvica en el manejo de la hemorragia posparto refractaria al tratamiento médico, permite en ocasiones evitar el tratamiento quirúrgico, conservando la fertilidad de la paciente.

The postpartum hemorrhage is the main cause of obstetric death. We report a case of normal pregnancy and delivery after bilateral embolization of uterine arteries due to postpartum hemorrhage in a previous pregnancy. A new bilateral embolization of uterine arteries was needed in this second pregnancy with good obstetric results. The pelvic arterial embolization in the management of postpartum hemorrhage refractory to medical treatment, avoids the surgical treatment, preserving fertility.