Arterial Embolization for Controlling Life-threatening Traumatic Pelvic Hemorrhage

Background/Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for controlling arterial hemorrhage due to pelvic trauma. Methods. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the surgical outcomes of 40 hemodynamically unstable patients who underwent pelvic angiography for traumatic pelvic hemorrhage during the period January 2004 to July 2007. TAE was performed when direct signs (eg, contrast extravasation and pseudoaneurysm) or indirect signs (eg, vasospasm and vessel tortuosity) of vascular injury were noted. Results. Embolization was required in 36 (90%) patients. Indications included active contrast extravasation in 31 (86%) and indirect signs of vascular injury in 5 (13.9%). Repeated TAE for recurrent pelvic arterial hemorrhage during the same admission was necessary in 5 (13.9%) of the 36 patients. The success rate of embolization was 94.4%. All patients had been followed for at least 3 months. There were no complications directly associated with the embolization procedures during the follow-up period. Conclusion. TAE is a safe and effective method for controlling life-threatening traumatic pelvic hemorrhage.