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Pregnancy and its Outcomes in Patients After Uterine Fibroid Embolization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology volume 43, pages 1122–1133 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been introduced for uterine fibroid treatment for two decades. Most of the patients are in reproductive age and many want future pregnancy. In this study, we will assess fertility, pregnancy and its outcomes in patients who have undergone UAE. In this systematic review, a systematic search was performed on important databases including PubMed and Medline, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Scopus. Studies reported enough data about pregnancy after UAE were considered to be enrolled in the review. We assessed obstetric indices (pregnancy and delivery rates, pregnancy losses, complications and fetal outcomes). Study evaluation was done based on STROBE checklist by two reviewers. Totally, 24 original papers were included. Data were analyzed by Stata and MedCalc softwares. Among women wishing fertility, totally 40.5% experienced at least one pregnancy after UAE (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.3%-48.2%). Pooled estimate of pregnancy loss rate was 33.5% (95% CI: 26.3–41%). Most pregnancy losses were due to spontaneous abortion (81.3% of all losses (95% CI = 76%-86.1%)). Rate of obstetrical complications was 25.4% (95% CI = 13–40.2%) among all finished pregnancies. Pooled estimate of preterm labor was 12.8% (95% CI = 8.7%-17.5%), and pooled estimate of low birth weight (LBW) was 10% (95% CI = 6.2–14.6%). Considering the findings of the study, a safe pregnancy after UAE is obviously possible resulting to a healthy and normal baby delivery. In addition, pooled obstetrical complication rates, pregnancy losses, preterm labor and LBW seem to be mostly similar to the general population. Registration: The study was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on Nov 3, 2017, and was confirmed with a registration code of CRD42017076074.

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Funding

This research was supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (International Campus) by Grant Number 95-04-98-33756 and Ethic Number: IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1395.1903. There are no financial conflicts within the past 5 years and for the foreseeable future, and authors have to express their grateful thanks from this organization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Hossein Ghanaati, Mina Sanaati, Madjid Shakiba, Hooman Bakhshandeh, Nafiseh Ghavami, Solmaz Aro, Amir Hossein Jalali & Kavous Firouznia

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  1. Hossein Ghanaati
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  3. Madjid Shakiba
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Correspondence to Kavous Firouznia.

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Ghanaati, H., Sanaati, M., Shakiba, M. et al. Pregnancy and its Outcomes in Patients After Uterine Fibroid Embolization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 43, 1122–1133 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-020-02521-6

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