Efficacy of selective arterial embolisation for the treatment of life-threatening post-partum haemorrhage in a large population.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and determine the optimal indication of selective arterial embolisation (SAE) in patients with life-threatening post-partum haemorrhage (PPH).


RESULTS
One hundred and two patients with PPH underwent SAE and were included from January 1998 to January 2002 in our university care center. Embolisation was considered effective when no other surgical procedure was required. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed. SAE was effective for 73 patients (71.5%), while 29 required surgical procedures. SAE was effective in 88.6% of women with uterine atony that was associated with positive outcome (OR 4.13, 1.35-12.60), whereas caesarean deliveries (OR 0.16, 0.04-0.5) and haemodynamic shock (OR 0.21, 0.07-0.60) were associated with high failure rates, 47.6% and 39.1%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Success rate for SAE observed in a large population is lower than previously reported. It is most likely to succeed for uterine atony but not recommended in case of haemodynamic shock or after caesarean section.
Touboul
Cyril
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Badiou
Wassim
W
Saada
Julien
J
Pelage
Jean-Pierre
JP
Payen
Didier
D
Vicaut
Eric
E
Jacob
Denis
D
Rafii
Arash
A
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D016638:Critical Illness; D003657:Decision Making; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012771:Shock, Hemorrhagic / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014593:Uterine Inertia / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult