Ashwin M Polnaya MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rajgopal Kv MBBS, MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Nitin Shetty MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Anurag Ayachit MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chandan Kakkar MBBS, MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sripathi Smiti MBBS, DNB, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

V. R. K. Rao MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To study the role of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in obstetric hemorrhage

Twenty one women with obstetric hemorrhage were treated by endovascular technique in our centre from April 2006 to February 2011. UAE was performed by transfemoral route using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA: 300-700µm) particles, gel foam and coils through Roberts uterine curve catheter.

Eighteen women with postpartum hemorrhage and three women with post abortal bleeding underwent uterine artery embolization. The mean age of the women was 26.5 years (Range 19-36 years). The group included almost equal number of primiparas and multiparas (48% and 52% respectively). The procedure was done despite the varying severity of coagulopathy in 43% of the women simultaneously with the blood component transfusion. The vaginal bleeding could be controlled in 95% of the women by UAE. One patient who presented with recurrent bleed 3 weeks after initial embolization was successfully treated in the second sitting. Mean duration of hospital stay was 12.6 days (range 6–25 days). Though there was no major procedure related complication, there were three maternal deaths later, secondary to multiorgan failure, septicemia and DIC.

The high success rate, low morbidity rate coupled with the potential of preserving reproductive function have made uterine artery embolization the technique of choice to control life-threatening, intractable postpartum hemorrhage, even in patients with deranged coagulation profile.

Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) occurs in 2;11% of deliveries and remains a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, despite advances in obstetrics and intensive care.

Polnaya, A, Kv, R, Shetty, N, Ayachit, A, Kakkar, C, Smiti, S, Rao, V, Uterine Artery Embolisation: A Life-saving Procedure in Obstetric Hemorrhage.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11014971.html