Catheter-directed hemorrhoidal embolization for rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids (Goligher grade I-III): prospective outcomes from a Spanish emborrhoid registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter-directed hemorrhoidal embolization (CDHE) by microcoil embolization for rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids classified as Goligher grade I-III. METHODS: Eighty patients (62.5% males) with a mean age of 48 ± 9 years were recruited prospectively. All patients had symptomatic bleeding hemorrhoids. All patients were classified according to Goligher classification: grade I (13.7%), grade II (71.1%), grade III (15%), and no grade IV were recruited in this study. In all cases, microcoils were used to embolize the superior rectal artery(SRA), and microspheres if recurrence of bleeding occurred. Follow-up evaluation (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) included clinical examination and anoscopy. A questionnaire was conducted to determine improvement regarding bleeding, quality of life before, and the degree of patient satisfaction of each participant. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of the cases. Fifty-five (68.7%) participants had the absence of rectal bleeding after 12 months of embolization. VAS and QL improved 4 points and 1.5 respectively after embolization. A total of 25/80 (31.3%) had a recurrence in rectal bleeding. Seventeen (21.3%) patients underwent a second embolization, and four patients (5%) were treated with open hemorrhoidectomy. No major complications were observed. Sixteen participants had minor complications. Subjective post-treatment symptom and QL surveys showed significant differences from the baseline survey. Likewise, the degree of satisfaction in the telephone survey at 12 months revealed a high degree of patient satisfaction (8.3±1.1). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that CDHE is a feasible, well-tolerated, ambulatory, anal sphincter-sparing procedure for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CDHE is a simple procedure, well tolerated and accepted by patients, that preserves the anal sphincter and presents few complications when metal devices or microspheres are used as embolic agents. KEY POINTS: • The technical success rate of CDHE, defined as the closure of all the SRA in their distal segment, was achieved 100% of all patients. However, a second embolization treatment was required since 21.25% of the patients experienced rectal bleeding. • Overall, CDHE's safety profile is acceptable. After the procedure and 1 year of follow-up, no significant complications were observed. • Encouraging clinical outcomes have demonstrated CDHE in individuals with hemorrhoids and mild prolapse Goligher grades I-III with persistent rectal bleeding.

Ibero-American Society of Interventionism (SIDI) and the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) Standard of Practice (SOP) for the Management of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVES: to present an interventional radiology standard of practice on the use of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in patients with or at risk to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the Iberoamerican Interventional Society (SIDI) and Spanish Vascular and Interventional Radiology Society (SERVEI). METHODS: a group of twenty-two interventional radiologist experts, from the SIDI and SERVEI societies, attended online meetings to develop a current clinical practice guideline on the proper indication for the placement and retrieval of IVCFs. A broad review was undertaken to determine the participation of interventional radiologists in the current guidelines and a consensus on inferior vena cava filters. Twenty-two experts from both societies worked on a common draft and received a questionnaire where they had to assess, for IVCF placement, the absolute, relative, and prophylactic indications. The experts voted on the different indications and reasoned their decision. RESULTS: a total of two-hundred-thirty-three articles were reviewed. Interventional radiologists participated in the development of just two of the eight guidelines. The threshold for inclusion was 100% agreement. Three absolute and four relative indications for the IVCF placement were identified. No indications for the prophylactic filter placement reached the threshold. CONCLUSION: interventional radiologists are highly involved in the management of IVCFs but have limited participation in the development of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines.

Pelvic Venous Disorders in Women due to Pelvic Varices: Treatment by Embolization: Experience in 520 Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of embolization treatment in pelvic venous disorders in women refluxing in the ovarian and or internal iliac veins in women with chronic pelvic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study conducted from January 2000 to June 2017 in 617 patients diagnosed with pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs) with a mean age of 43.2 ± 7.2 years were treated using an embolization procedure. A total of 520 were included, and 97 patients were excluded. The main inclusion criteria were PeVD symptoms for more than 6 months and transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography (TV-DUS) diagnosis of varicose veins in the pelvis with a diameter greater than 6 mm. The main objective was to embolize the 4 main pelvic venous plexi (ovarian and internal iliac veins) whenever possible. Follow-up was performed using clinical symptoms (visual analog scale) and TV-DUS at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and then every year up to 5 years. RESULTS: The technical success (embolization of the 4 main pelvic veins) was achieved in 84.4% of the patients. The average follow-up was 58.7 ± 5.7 months. The visual analog scale was improved from 7.63 ± 0.9 points pretreatment to 0.91 ± 1.5 at 5 years. A total of 26 patients (5%) presented with symptom recurrence and pelvic varicose veins. There were 57 minor complications (10.9%) and 11 major complications (2.1%), with 7 cases (1.34%) of device migration to the lung. CONCLUSIONS: The embolization of pelvic varicose veins is a safe and effective procedure. The selection of the embolic agents and the number of veins needed to be treated.

COVID-19 Outbreak: Infection Control and Management Protocol for Vascular and Interventional Radiology Departments-Consensus Document.

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 virus) pandemic was recently declared by the WHO as a global health emergency. A group of interventional radiology senior experts developed a consensus document for infection control and management of patients with COVID-19 in interventional radiology (IR) departments. This consensus statement has been brought together at short notice with the help of different protocols developed by governmental entities and scientific societies to be adapted to the current reality and needs of IR Departments. Recommendations are the specific strategies to follow in IR departments, preventive measures and regulations, step by step for donning and doffing personal protective equipment, specific IR procedures which can not be delayed, and aerosol-generating procedures in IR with COVID-19 patients. It is advisable with this document to be adapted to local workplace policies.

Spanish multicenter real - life registry of retrievable vena cava filters (REFiVeC).

BACKGROUND: The treatment of venous thromboembolic disease the treatment of choice is systemic anticoagulation. However, the interruption of the inferior vena cava with filters has been recommended when anticoagulation fails or there is a contraindication. Due to the rising inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) complications, physicians are encouraged to retrieve them when there is no longer recommended. In daily practice, it may be a difficult close follow-up of these patients. In this study, the primary objective was to evaluate the IVCF retrieval rate of all implanted filters in a Spanish registry. Secondary objectives were to analyze the causes of failed retrieval, procedure-related complications, and outcomes at a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six vena cava filters were implanted in 355 patients. The types of filter were: Gunther Tulip (Cook Medical) 160 (44.9%), Optease (Cordis) 77 (21.6%), Celect (Cook Medical) 49 (13, 7%), Aegisy (Lifetech Scientific) 33 (9.2%), Option ELITE (Argon Medical devices) 16 (4.4%), Denali filter (BD Bard) 11 (3.08%), ALN filter (ALN) 10 (2.8%). Removal was achieved in 274/356 (76,9%). eighty-two (23,1%) IVCF were not retrieved due to the following: 41 (11,5%) patients required ongoing filtration, 24 IVCF (6,7%) patients died before retrieval, and 17 (4,7%) impossibility of retrieval because of a tilted and embedded filter apex. There were no major complications observed. CONCLUSIONS: The global retrieval rate of IVCF was achieved in 76.9%, and the adjusted retrieval rate was of 94.15% with no major complications. IVCF tilting was associated with failure of filter removal in less than 5% of cases. This study demonstrates that the retrieval procedure of IVCF is controlled by the clinician and not by the interventional radiologist.

A new airway spiral stent designed to maintain airway architecture with an atraumatic removal after full epithelization-Research of feasibility and viability in canine patients with tracheomalacia.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical management of tracheomalacia is a challenge, with current treatments still presenting numerous complications. In the field of veterinary medicine, this same pathology is present in a significant number of dogs. For this reason, we present an experimental clinical trial performed on canines with tracheobronchomalacia, using a new atraumatic removable tracheal spiral stent (SS). Both implantation procedure and clinical improvement have been analyzed in this study. METHODS: In this study, four small dogs, a mean weight of 4.89 kg and body condition scores IV-V, were included. SS was implanted by two different surgical approaches. Image and clinical follow-up have been performed during 90 days. Symptoms were evaluated from 1 to 10 every week. RESULTS: This study achieved 100% technical and clinical success. Median tracheal diameters were as follows: cervical 10.85 (3.3), inlet 7.75 (2.1), and carina 7.75 (1.9) mm, and length was 77.5 (26) mm. A 12 × 10 × 100-mm SS was implanted in all cases. Goose honk cough punctuation improved from 8 to 1; also, there were important changes in exercise intolerance, a mean weight loss of 8.76%. The values of modified Karnofsky scale varied from 50 (20) before surgery to 90 (10) after 30 days of surgery. Neither granuloma tissue nor fractures of the prosthesis was observed. CONCLUSION: The results in dogs are promising, and a new therapeutic alternative seems to be available for veterinarian field. The similarity of this disease between dogs and newborns suggests that this SS design can also be useful for human trials.

Reactivity Study of a Biodegradable Polydioxanone Tracheal Stent in a Rabbit Model. / Stent traqueal biodegradable de polidioxanona. Estudio de la reactividad en conejo.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate tracheal reactivity induced by a biodegradable polydioxanone tracheal stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two rabbits were divided into 3 groups assigned to different survival times (30, 60 and 90days post-implantation). A biodegradable stent was implanted in each animal, except for 1 of each group (negative control). Implantation was performed through a small tracheotomy under fluoroscopic control. CT and histopathological studies were scheduled at the end of survival times. RESULTS: No animal died during the procedure or follow-up. The stent had disappeared in 100% of the cases at 90days, in 50% at 60days, and in none at 30days. CT studies revealed a greater tracheal wall thickness at 30days than at 60 and 90days (1.60±0.41mm in the central part of the stent versus 1.11±0.18 and 0.94±0.11; P=.007, respectively). No granulomas were observed on histopathology. Some degree of histological changes were noted at 30days, which had reduced at 60 and 90days. Differences were also found in both CT and histology between animals in which the stent was present and animals in which it had degraded. CONCLUSIONS: Polydioxanone stents produce a mild reaction that reverts with tracheal degradation. The use of these biodegradable stents in benign tracheal disease is promising.

Absorbable stents for treatment of benign biliary strictures: long-term follow-up in the prospective Spanish registry.

OBJECTIVES: Benign strictures of the bile duct may be difficult to treat endoscopically due to altered bowel anatomy. Furthermore, recurrence of stenosis and symptoms remains high. The aim of the Spanish Prospective Registry BiELLA study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of absorbable stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures and their outcomes on the medium and long-term follow-up. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational, non-randomized study (the BiELLA study) was conducted from January 2014 to September 2018. One hundred fifty-nine patients with benign biliary strictures, mostly postsurgical, were enrolled for implantation of absorbable biliary stents in the 11 participating Spanish tertiary hospitals. The average patient follow-up was 45.4 ± 15.9 months (range, 12-60 months). The follow-up data included symptoms, biochemical parameters, and ultrasound images at 1, 6, and 12 months and then yearly for up to 60 months. RESULTS: The immediate technical and clinical success rates were 100%. In all patients, stent placement resulted in improvement of clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters. The primary mean patency for stent was 86.7, 79.6, and 78.9% at 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively (95% CI). Biliary restenosis and occlusion occurred in 40 (26.6%) patients. Of the 40 patients, 18 (12%) patients were treated with a second stent and 22 (14.6%) patients had operative repair of the recurrent strictures. There were no major complications associated with stent implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of an absorbable polydioxanone biliary stent is safe and effective for treatment of benign biliary strictures refractory to balloon dilatation or other biliary intervention. KEY POINTS: • Percutaneous implantation of biodegradable prostheses for the treatment of benign postsurgical biliary strictures is a safe and effective procedure. • More than 75% of the patients presented patency of the stented biliary tree at 5 years follow-up. • Absorbable stents improved clinical symptoms and signs (jaundice, itching, fever), and laboratory parameters in a few days after stent placement.

Interventional Radiology and Spanish Medical Students: A Survey of Knowledge and Interests in Preclinical and Clinical Courses.

INTRODUCTION: Interventional Radiology (IR) is a medical activity that has experienced an extraordinary growth in the medical field in Spain in recent years. However, there is a lack of visibility in the Spanish Health Administration and the University community, especially among medical students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine IR knowledge among medical students, preclinical and clinical, in a single University in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic survey was uploaded (November-December 2017) to an online learning platform (Moodle) and sent to 414 students from second (183 PCs) and fourth (231 Cs) year of medical school. A total of 313 students of 414 (75.6%) answered the survey 142/45.4% PCs and 171/54.6% Cs. RESULTS: Students quantified their knowledge between adequate (41% PCs/80.7% Cs) and poor levels (50.7% PCs/14% Cs). Most of the students suggested that interventional radiologists (IRs) should have a mixed training, surgical and radiological (95% PCs/88.8% Cs). Majority of students indicated that the professionals in charge of carrying out angioplasty were the IRs (95% PCs/83.6% Cs) and only 20.4% PCs/12.8% Cs (P = 0.165) of students chose cardiologists. Almost all of the medical students in both groups said they wanted to know more about IR (99.3% PCs/100.0% Cs), and the majority of students (100.0% PCs/98.8% Cs) said they agree or strongly agree that IR should be taught as an undergraduate medical subject. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that medical students in our University have poor knowledge of IR; however, they are overwhelmingly positive in their desire to have this subject taught as distinct curriculum in medical school.

Success in Optional Vena Cava Filter Retrieval. An Analysis of 246 Patients. / Éxito en la recuperación de filtro de vena cava inferior opcional: Análisis de 246 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed vena cava filter (VCF) retrieval rates and factors associated with retrieval failure in a single center cohort. METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients whose VCF was retrieved. We performed logistic regression to identify variables associated with retrieval failure. RESULTS: During the study period, 246 patients received a VCF and met the eligibility requirements to be included in the study; 151 (61%) patients received a VCF due to contraindication to anticoagulation, 69 (28%) patients had venous thromboembolism (VTE) and a high risk of recurrence, and 26 (11%) patients received a filter due to recurrent VTE while on anticoagulant therapy. Of 236 patients who survived the first month after diagnosis of VTE, VCF was retrieved in 96%. Retrieval rates were significantly lower for patients with recurrent VTE while on anticoagulation, compared with patients with contraindication to anticoagulation or patients with a high risk of recurrence (79% vs. 97% vs. 100%, respectively; P<0.01). Mean time to retrieval attempt was significantly associated with retrieval failure (137.8 ± 65.3 vs. 46.3 ± 123.1 days, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this single center study, VCF retrieval success was 96%. A delay in the attempt to retrieve the VCF correlated significantly with retrieval failure.

A Randomized Trial of Endovascular Embolization Treatment in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Fibered Platinum Coils versus Vascular Plugs with 1-Year Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare safety and efficacy of vascular plugs (VPs) and fibered platinum coils (FPCs) for embolization in pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective, single-center study enrolled 100 women with PCS from January 2014 to January 2015. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, and embolization was performed with FPCs (n = 50) or VPs (n = 50). Mean age of patients was 42.7 years ± 7.60, and mean visual analog scale (VAS) score for pelvic pain before treatment was 7.4 ± 7.60. Primary outcome (clinical success at 1 y using a VAS), number of devices, procedure and fluoroscopy times, radiation doses, costs, and complications were compared, and participants were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Clinical success and subjective improvement were not significantly different at 1-year follow-up (89.7% for FPCs vs 90.6% for VPs; P = .760). Mean number of devices per case was 18.2 ± 1.33 for FPCs and 4.1 ± 0.31 for VPs (P < .001). Three FPCs and 1 VP migrated to pulmonary vasculature approximately 3-6 months after the embolization procedure; all were retrieved without complications. The FPC group had a significantly longer fluoroscopy time (33.4 min ± 4.68 vs 19.5 min ± 6.14) and larger radiation dose (air kerma 948.0 mGy ± 248.45 vs 320.7 mGy ± 134.33) (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Embolization for PCS resulted in pain relief in 90% of patients; clinical success was not affected by embolic device. VPs were associated with decreased fluoroscopy time and radiation dose.

Interventional radiology treatment for pulmonary embolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an illness that has a potentially life-threatening condition that affects a large percentage of the global population. VTE with pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cause of death after myocardial infarction and stroke. In the first three months after an acute PE, there is an estimated 15% mortality among submassive PE, and 68% mortality in massive PE. Current guidelines suggest fibrinolytic therapy regarding the clinical severity, however some studies suggest a more aggressive treatment approach. This review will summarize the available endovascular treatments and the different techniques with its indications and outcomes.

Observations on failed retrieval of optional inferior vena cava filters.

PURPOSE: To evaluate causes of failed optional inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrievals. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study. RESULTS: IVCF retrievals were attempted in 26/211 (12%) patients at a mean 42.9 days. There were 9 failures (all OptEase) due to: inability to snare the hook (n=5), noncollapsible IVCF (n=3), and unusual procedural pain (n=1). Median duration of retrieved IVCFs was 31 days compared to 53 days for failures (P<.05). IVCFs aligned with the IVC's cephalocaudal axis were retrieved in 13/16 cases, while misaligned IVCFs were retrieved 4/10 cases (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Filter duration and misalignment were significantly associated with retrieval failures.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Paclitaxel Concentration after Drug-Eluting Balloon Angioplasty in the Iliac Artery of Healthy and Atherosclerotic Rabbit Models.

PURPOSE: To assess whether the presence of an atherosclerotic lesion may alter the deposition kinetics of paclitaxel on the arterial wall after drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty, as well as paclitaxel concentrations in serum and in the recovered balloons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three New Zealand White rabbit models were created: an atheroma group (arterial mechanical injury and hyperlipidic diet; group A), a prelesional group (fat arterial infiltration, hyperlipidic diet; group B), and a control healthy group (group C). Forty-five animals underwent DEB angioplasty in the iliac artery. Arteries and serum samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry at 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours (arteries) and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours (serum). Recovered balloons were analyzed by UV chromatography. Histologic and statistical analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Group A showed significantly higher arterial paclitaxel concentrations in the first hour after DEB angioplasty (632.05 ng/mg ± 125.75 in group A vs 179.55 ng/mg ± 45.64 and 168.54 ng/mg ± 83.48 in groups B and C, respectively; P < .05). Paclitaxel was undetectable in serum at 24 hours in all groups, but the amount was significantly higher (P < .05) in group B at 1, 6, and 12 hours. The paclitaxel amount in navigated balloons from group A was significantly lower than in other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel concentration in an atherosclerotic lesion model immediately after DEB angioplasty is nearly fourfold higher than in a healthy artery. Paclitaxel remains in the bloodstream longer when a universal state of fat arterial infiltration is achieved. These findings could have clinical implications, as studies testing commercial drug-eluting devices on healthy animals may be underestimating paclitaxel arterial uptake.

Pulmonary Embolism Response to Fragmentation, Embolectomy, and Catheter Thrombolysis (PERFECT): Initial Results From a Prospective Multicenter Registry.

BACKGROUND: Systemic thrombolysis for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) carries up to a 20% risk of major bleeding, including a 2% to 5% risk of hemorrhagic stroke. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of catheter-directed therapy (CDT) as an alternative treatment of acute PE. METHODS: One hundred one consecutive patients receiving CDT for acute PE were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter registry. Massive PE (n = 28) and submassive PE (n = 73) were treated with immediate catheter-directed mechanical or pharmacomechanical thrombectomy and/or catheter-directed thrombolysis through low-dose hourly drug infusion with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or urokinase. Clinical success was defined as meeting all the following criteria: stabilization of hemodynamics; improvement in pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart strain, or both; and survival to hospital discharge. Primary safety outcomes were major procedure-related complications and major bleeding events. RESULTS: Fifty-three men and 48 women (average age, 60 years [range, 22-86 years]; mean BMI, 31.03 ± 7.20 kg/m2) were included in the study. The average thrombolytic doses were 28.0 ± 11 mg tPA (n = 76) and 2,697,101 ± 936,287 International Units for urokinase (n = 23). Clinical success was achieved in 24 of 28 patients with massive PE (85.7%; 95% CI, 67.3%-96.0%) and 71 of 73 patients with submassive PE (97.3%; 95% CI, 90.5%-99.7%). The mean pulmonary artery pressure improved from 51.17 ± 14.06 to 37.23 ± 15.81 mm Hg (n = 92) (P < .0001). Among patients monitored with follow-up echocardiography, 57 of 64 (89.1%; 95% CI, 78.8%-95.5%; P < .0001) showed improvement in right-sided heart strain. There were no major procedure-related complications, major hemorrhages, or hemorrhagic strokes. CONCLUSIONS: CDT improves clinical outcomes in patients with acute PE while minimizing the risk of major bleeding. At experienced centers, CDT is a safe and effective treatment of both acute massive and submassive PE. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01097928; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Respiratory-Induced Haemodynamic Changes: A Contributing Factor to IVC Filter Penetration.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the influence of respiratory-induced vena caval hemodynamic changes on filter migration/penetration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After placement of either a Gunther Tulip or Celect IVC filter, 101 consecutive patients scheduled for filter retrieval were prospectively enrolled in this study. Pre-retrieval CT scans were used to assess filter complications and to calculate cross-sectional area in three locations: at level of filter strut fixation, 3 cm above and 3 cm below. A 3D finite element simulation was constructed on these data and direct IVC pressure was recorded during filter retrieval. Cross-sectional areas and pressures of the vena cava were measured during neutral breathing and in Valsalva maneuver and identified filter complications were recorded. A statistical analysis of these variables was then performed. RESULTS: During Valsalva maneuvers, a 60 % decrease of the IVC cross-sectional area and a fivefold increase in the IVC pressure were identified (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the reduction of the cross-sectional area at the filter strut level (p < 0.001) in patient with filter penetration. Difficulty in filter retrieval was higher in penetrated or tilted filters (p < 0.001; p = 0.005). 3D computational models showed significant IVC deformation around the filter during Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSION: Caval morphology and hemodynamics are clearly affected by Valsalva maneuvers. A physiological reduction of IVC cross-sectional area is associated with higher risk of filter penetration, despite short dwell times. Physiologic data should be used to improve future filter designs to remain safely implanted over longer dwell times.

Safety, efficacy, and prognostic factors in endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter embolization using coils for treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) and to elucidate prognostic factors for clinical success. METHODS: Data were retrospectively analyzed from 113 women with PCS who underwent endovascular embolization of ovarian and pelvic varicose veins at Hospital Clínico Universitario, Zaragoza, Spain between January 2001 and January 2011. Pain score was evaluated before and after the procedure via a visual analog scale (VAS). Associated symptoms (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, urinary urgency, and lower limb symptoms) were also evaluated. Patients were followed up for 12 months. RESULTS: The technical and clinical success was 100%. At 12 months, 53% of patients had no pelvic pain and 47% reported a reduction in pelvic pain. The average VAS was 7.34 before the procedure and 0.47 at 12 months. Complete relief of pain and associated symptoms was achieved for 37% of patients. Urinary urgency, lower limb symptoms, and vulvar and lower limbs varicosities were prognostic factors related to incomplete treatment success. The global complication rate was low (5/113, 4.4%). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter embolization was a safe and effective treatment for PCS. Lower limb symptoms, urinary urgency, and varicosities were associated with incomplete clinical success.