title: Uterine artery embolization: an effective treatment for intractable obstetric haemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the findings of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the management of obstetric haemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 1999 to February 2003, 10 women with postpartum haemorrhage (n=7) and post-abortion haemorrhage with placenta accreta (n=3), were referred to our department for pelvic angiography and possible arterial embolization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angiography revealed engorged and tortuous uterine arteries in all patients; and contrast medium extravasation in three patients. Eight patients (three with and five without detectable active bleeding) then underwent bilateral UAE. Medium-sized (250-355 microm) polyvinyl alcohol particles were injected via a coaxial catheter into the uterine arteries, followed by gelatin sponge pieces via a 4F Cobra catheter. Microcoil devascularization was also performed in the two patients with visible, active bleeding. The vaginal bleeding resolved in all patients, without any ischaemic complications. At follow-up, all patients who underwent UAE had normal menstruation; three of them subsequently gave birth to full-term healthy babies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selective UAE by the coaxial method is safe and effective to control obstetric haemorrhage, with the potential to preserve fertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: T-M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: H-S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: R-C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C-Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010921:Placenta Accreta / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*