title: Delayed postpartum hemorrhage resulting from uterine artery pseudoaneurysm rupture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rupture of a uterine artery pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon, but life-threatening, cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Cesarean delivery is the most common cause.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Prompt recognition and management are critical in severe vaginal bleeding. A diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the uterine artery can be established radiologically, such as with color Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography. Angiography confirms the diagnosis. This condition can be treated with selective arterial embolization.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe three cases of postpartum hemorrhage caused by rupture of pseudoaneurysms of the uterine artery after cesarean section.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uterine arterial pseudoaneurysm rupture is an infrequent, life-threatening cause of delayed postpartum hemorrhage requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early crystalloid infusion and blood transfusion are essential. The initial management and stabilization of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm postpartum hemorrhage requires aggressive resuscitation. Arterial embolization should be considered the definitive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Duk Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Hyung Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoon Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000150:complications*; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*