Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Background: Transcatheter arterial embolization can be used for patients with recurrent bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract after failed endoscopic treatment. Our aim to identify the clinical and technical factors that influenced the outcome of transcatheter embolization for therapy of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after failed surgery or after failed endoscopic treatment in high risk surgical patients. Methods: We performed a prospective study to analysis of the 15 patients who underwent Transcatheter arterial embolization for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding at Alshifa hospital from January 2015 to March 2019. The following variables were recorded: demographic data, time from bleeding start to TAE, units of packed red cells before TAE and units of packed plasma before Transcatheter arterial embolization and we analysis 30 days rebleeding rates and mortality. Results: Patients treated with Transcatheter arterial embolization (median age: 62 years, range: 14–79 years).The technical success rate of the embolization procedure was 100%. Time from bleeding start to TAE was 2.1 (1-4) days , units of packed red cells before Transcatheter arterial embolization was 12.8 (4-22) packed and units of packed plasma was 3.2 (2-5) packed. Following 30 days after embolization, 2 (13%) patients had repeated bleeding and 3 (20.0%) patients died. Conclusion: In our experience, arterial embolization is a safe and effective treatment method for upper gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible alternative to surgery for high-risk patients.