Superselective arterial embolization in treatment of upper gastrointestinal massive hemorrhage from peptic ulcers

Objective To investigate the value of superselective arterial embolization in treatment for upper gastrointestinal massive hemorrhage from peptic ulcers. Methods Twenty-three patients were referred to angiography due to upper gastrointestinal massive hemorrhage confirmed endoscopically, including 13 cases of gastric ulcers and 10 cases of duodenal ulcers, who were all refractory to internal medicine and endoscopic hemostasis therapies. All of them underwent superselective arterial embolization. Results Superselective arterial embolization were successfully performed in all patients, with instant hemostasis achieved in all of them (100%). During following-up, only one case underwent surgical operation because of rebleeding, whereas the rest of 22 patients reported no rebleeding. Conclusion Superselective arterial embolization is safe and effective in treatment of massive hemorrhage from peptic ulcers.