Microcatheter embolization of hemorrhages.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of embolotherapy using microcatheters in patients with hemorrhage from various locations.


METHODS
Among 29 patients there were 13 with severe epistaxis, 7 with gastrointestinal bleeding, 4 with hemorrhage in the kidney, 4 with bleeding in pelvic organs and 1 with bleeding in the shoulder region. In all cases, a Tracker-18 or Tracker-10 microcatheter was advanced coaxially through a 4.1 Fr guiding catheter in order to reach the bleeding site as distally as possible. Polyvinyl alcohol microparticles and/or platinum microcoils were used as embolic material.


RESULTS
The bleeding was stopped in 90% (26 of 29) of cases. In 66% of cases the treatment was curative, in 7% preoperative, and in 17% palliative. There were 3 clinical failures.


CONCLUSIONS
Microcatheter embolization is an effective and safe means of managing different kinds of hemorrhage of various causes from a variety of sites.
Seppänen
S K
SK
Department of Radiology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Leppänen
M J
MJ
Pimenoff
G
G
Seppänen
J M
JM
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications