Percutaneous transcatheter angiographic embolization in the management of obstetric hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the results of percutaneous arterial embolization in the management of obstetric hemorrhage.


METHODS
From February 1992 to May 2000, 33 patients with pregnancy-related hemorrhage underwent angiographic embolization to control the hemorrhage. In all cases, hemostatic embolization was performed because of intractable hemorrhage unresponsive to conservative management. All available hospital records were reviewed and detailed, and the clinical data related to complications, clinical status, estimated blood loss and blood replacement requirements, length of time of procedure, emboli used, complications associated with the procedure and results obtained were analyzed.


RESULTS
Successful embolization was achieved in 31 of 33 patients. No major complications related to embolization occurred, and 3 women subsequently became pregnant.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiographic embolization is a safe and effective method of controlling pregnancy-related hemorrhagic complications unresponsive to conservative management and maintains reproductive ability.
Department of Radiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Jin Wook
JW
Chung
Hyeon Jeong
HJ
Jeong
Joon Hee
JH
Joh
Joong Shin
JS
Park
Jong Kwan
JK
Jun
Seok Hyun
SH
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010298:Parity; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*