title: The efficacy of selective arterial embolization in the management of colonic bleeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of mesenteric embolization in the management of acute haemorrhage from the colon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of a consecutive series of patients who underwent selective arterial embolization between 2002 and 2010 at two Australian institutions. An analysis was performed of each patient's present and past medical history, procedural details and subsequent post-procedural recovery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one patients were reviewed in the study. Sixty-one patients (86 %) had immediate cessation of bleeding following embolization. In total, 20 % had some form of morbidity due to mesenteric embolization being performed, the three most common being worsening renal function, groin haematoma and contrast allergy (11, 9 and 7 %, respectively). Only one patient developed superficial bowel ischaemia. Overall, 11 patients (18 %) had recurrent bleeding. Of these patients, five had repeat embolization. Of the patients who underwent re-embolization, three stopped bleeding. Surgery was required in 5 patients 2 of whom died postoperatively of systemic complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colonic bleeding can be treated successfully in most patients by embolization, without causing ischaemia. Eighteen per cent of patients rebleed during the first hospital admission, and 20 % patients experienced a procedure-related complication. In those patients that proceed to surgery, the morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay increase dramatically.
authors.affiliation: Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia, sadu1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adusumilli
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gosselink
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ctercteko
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pathmanathan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: El-Khoury
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dutton
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Makin
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014904:Western Australia