Pre-operative uterine artery embolization before hysterectomy or myomectomy: a single-center review of 53 patients.

PURPOSE: To assess outcomes of planned pre-operative uterine artery embolization (UAE) in patients with uterine fibroids at high risk for bleeding prior to hysterectomy or myomectomy. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 consecutive patients who underwent planned UAE followed by surgery from 2004 to 2019 was performed in a subset of patients deemed high risk for bleeding by the referring surgeon due to bulky fibroids and/or adhesions. Characteristics of the largest fibroid, total number of fibroids, embolic agents, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, and other factors were collected. RESULTS: 53 patients (mean age = 41) had an elective UAE prior to a hysterectomy 24 (45%) or myomectomy 29 (55%). Median interval between UAE & surgery was 21.6 h (range 1.75 h-57 days). Of the myomectomies, 13 (45%) were open, 15 (52%) hysteroscopic and 1 laparoscopic. Mean number of fibroids/patient was 4.1 (SD 1.3), mean fibroid volume was 328 cm3 (range 11-741), and the mean fibroid diameter in longest dimension was 7.4 cm (range 3.2-15). Mean EBL was 90 (SD 99.5 mL). Three (10%) myomectomy patients required blood transfusion. All hysterectomies were via a laparotomy. Mean fibroid volume was 1699 cm3 (range 93-9099 cm3) with a mean maximum diameter of 16.2 cm (range 6.5-29.6) and an average of 2.4 (SD 1.7) fibroids. Mean EBL was 352 (SD 220 mL). Four (17%) hysterectomy patients required an intra- or post-operative blood transfusion. At a mean 1-year follow-up (range 1 month-14 years), 70% of UAE-myomectomy patients and 74% of UAE-hysterectomy patients reported symptom resolution. Three (6%) patients were readmitted: one for osteodiscitis, one wound dehiscence, and one for an infected retained fibroid after myomectomy. CONCLUSION: Planned pre-operative UAE resulted in intraoperative blood loss similar to "all-comer" myomectomy and hysterectomy patients in the literature. Further studies may elucidate which patients would be the best candidates for this staged treatment paradigm.

Optimal Medical Therapy Following Deep Venous Interventions: Proceedings from the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation Research Consensus Panel.

The optimal medical management of patients following endovascular deep venous interventions remains ill-defined. As such, the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation (SIRF) convened a multidisciplinary group of experts in a virtual Research Consensus Panel (RCP) to develop a prioritized research agenda regarding antithrombotic therapy following deep venous interventions. The panelists presented the gaps in knowledge followed by discussion and ranking of research priorities based on clinical relevance, overall impact, and technical feasibility. The following research topics were identified as high priority: 1) characterization of biological processes leading to in-stent stenosis/rethrombosis; 2) identification and validation of methods to assess venous flow dynamics and their effect on stent failure; 3) elucidation of the role of inflammation and anti-inflammatory therapies; and 4) clinical studies to compare antithrombotic strategies and improve venous outcome assessment. Collaborative, multicenter research is necessary to answer these questions and thereby enhance the care of patients with venous disease.