Application of superselective arterial embolization in treatment of acute arterial hemorrhage

Objective To explore the application value of superselective arterial embolization in treatment of massive acute arterial hemorrhage. Methods Clinical data of 23 patients with acute arterial hemorrhage were analyzed retrospectively. The bleeding could not been controlled effectively in all patients with conservative treatment, underwent selective DSA and transcatheter arterial embolization with gelfoam particles (strips). Results DSA in all cases showed positive signs of bleeding, represented by contrast extravasation, vascular thickening, distortion, etc. Bleeding were stopped immediately after embolization in 21 cases. One case with cervical cancer had bleeding again after 10 h, thus had second embolization and had a satisfied result. One case with hemoptysis did not completely stop the bleeding, after active treatment with medicine bleeding was stopped. All patients had no serious complications. Conclusions DSA has high valuable in diagnosis of massive acute arterial hemorrhage. Superselective arterial embolization can quickly and effectively stop bleeding with fewer complications, could be used as the primary method in treatment of acute arterial hemorrhage. Key words: Hemorrhage; Angiography; Embolization, therapeutic