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Postpartum haemorrhage due to genital tract injury after vaginal delivery: safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation

  • Vascular-Interventional
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) managing postpartum haemorrhage associated with genital tract injury (PPH-GTI) and to determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes.

Methods

From 2002 to 2017, a retrospective analysis was performed in 60 patients (mean 31.5 years) undergoing TAE for PPH-GTI. Information regarding clinical data, angiography and embolisation details, and clinical outcomes was obtained. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to clinical outcomes.

Results

Technical and clinical success was achieved in 98% and 88%, respectively. Bleeding foci were observed on angiography in 56 patients (93%). The major bleeding artery was the vaginal artery (32%, 24/74), followed by the uterine artery (cervicovaginal branch) (n = 18), internal pudendal artery (n = 13), cervical artery (n = 9), inferior mesenteric artery (n = 4) and external pudendal artery (n = 3). Embolic agents were gelatin sponge particles (n = 23), gelatin sponge with permanent embolic agents (microcoils, n-butyl cyanoacrylate) (n = 34) and permanent embolic agents only (n = 3). In seven patients, bleeding control failed and was managed by repeat TAE (n = 5) or surgery (n = 2) and with eventual bleeding control in all of these patients. Univariate analysis showed that paravaginal haematoma, massive transfusion and long hospital stay were related to clinical failure. During the mean follow-up period of 33.1 months, regular menstruation resumed in 95.2% (40/42) and 14 of them became pregnant.

Conclusions

TAE is safe and effective for treating PPH-GTI. Massive transfusion, paravaginal haematoma and long hospital stay were related to the failure of bleeding control.

Key Points

• PPH-GTI had a high detection rate of active bleeding foci on angiography.

• Besides vaginal artery, inferior mesenteric and external pudendal arteries were notable bleeding foci.

• Permanent embolic agents were used more than only gelatin sponge particles.

• Paravaginal haematoma and massive transfusion were related to clinical failure.

• TAE for PPH-GTI was safe and effective with preservation of menstrual cycles.

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Abbreviations

IMA:

Inferior mesenteric artery

NBCA:

n-butyl cyanoacrylate

PPH-GTI:

Postpartum haemorrhage associated with genital tract injury

TAE:

Transcatheter arterial embolisation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Korea

    Sang Min Lee, Ji Hoon Shin, Jong Joon Shim, Ki Woong Yoon, Young Jong Cho, Jong Woo Kim & Heung Kyu Ko

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  1. Sang Min Lee
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Correspondence to Ji Hoon Shin.

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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Moon Gyu Lee.

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The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

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No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

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Methodology

• retrospective

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• performed at one institution

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Lee, S.M., Shin, J.H., Shim, J.J. et al. Postpartum haemorrhage due to genital tract injury after vaginal delivery: safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation. Eur Radiol 28, 4800–4809 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5490-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5490-3

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