Evaluation of emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in intractable postpartum hemorrhage

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of emergency transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of intractable postpartum hemorrhage. Methods Twenty-five patients with intractable postpartum hemorrhage were undertaken superselective catheterization into the bilateral internal iliac arteries or uterial arteries to find the causes and sites of bleeding through DSA and then followed by arterial embolization with gelfoam particles. Result All of the 25 patients with obstetrical bleeding were successfully controlled by TAE, the procedure lasted for 25 - 60 min, (mean 42.5 ± 4.6 min); with both catheterization and bleeding halt successful rates of 100%. Comparison of hemoglobin and heartbeat before and after the procedure showed significance(t = 29.49, P 0.01; t = 16.51, P 0.01). The uterus showed reintegration on time and menstruation resumed in all patients. Conclusions Emergency arterial embolization is a safe and effective means for control of intactable postpartum hemorrhage, providing less trauma and no severe complications, especially as an unique management for fetal postpartum hemorrhage.