Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization.
BACKGROUND
Uterine artery embolization is an increasingly popular alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy as a treatment for uterine leiomyoma. Whether this procedure is safe for women desiring future fertility is controversial.


METHODS
A primigravida who had previously undergone uterine artery embolization had premature rupture of membranes at 24 weeks. She had a cesarean delivery at 28 weeks, which was followed by uterine atony requiring hysterectomy. A primigravida who had previously undergone uterine artery embolization delivered appropriately grown dichorionic twins at 36 weeks. An analysis of the 50 published cases of pregnancy after uterine artery embolization revealed the following complications: malpresentation (17%), small for gestational age (7%), premature delivery (28%), cesarean delivery (58%), and postpartum hemorrhage (13%).


CONCLUSIONS
Women who become pregnant after uterine artery embolization are at risk for malpresentation, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Goldberg
Jay
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. jay.goldberg@mail.tju.edu
Pereira
Leonardo
L
Berghella
Vincenzo
V
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D001946:Breech Presentation; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000628:therapy*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*