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Background Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading preventable causes of maternal morbidity and mortality causing one-fourth of all maternal deaths. We aimed to study the role of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in controlling PPH and its impact on the need for hysterectomy. Methods We studied patients who were diagnosed with primary PPH between February 2012 and March 2020 at Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates. We studied the characteristics and outcomes of those undergoing interventional radiology via UAE. Logistic regression analysis was done to define the factors that predict the need for emergency UAE. Results Out of 79 patients who had elective ( n  = 53) or emergency ( n  = 26) embolization, the placenta previa accreta (69.8% vs. 23.1%) and placenta previa (24.4% vs. 3.8%) were the common indications for elective versus emergency UAE ( p  < 0.001). The indication for UAE was the most significant factor for predicting an emergency procedure ( p  = 0.002) with placenta previa being significantly different from other indications ( p  < 0.001). Bleeding stopped in 78/79 patients (success rate of 98.7%) following UAE. Those who failed stopping of the bleeding were similar between the elective and emergency IR, (1/53 (1.9%) compared with 0/26 (0%), p  = 0.99 Fisher’s Exact test). Overall, eight patients (10%) had hysterectomy, one of them was needed as the final solution to stop bleeding. There were no maternal deaths. Conclusions Interventional radiological UAE is very efficient in controlling postpartum hemorrhage. It should be recommended as the first line of treatment for significant bleeding when expertise and facilities are available. It increases survival, reduces hysterectomy rate, without a difference if done as an emergency or elective procedure.

This study evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic uterine artery embolization (PUAE) during surgical termination of second-trimester pregnancies complicated by placenta previa and placenta accreta spectrum (previa PAS) following prior cesarean delivery (CD). A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral center in China between December 2016 and December 2022. A total of 92 patients were included, with 31 undergoing PUAE (study group) and 61 not (control group). Prophylactic uterine artery embolization did not significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss ( p  = 0.234) or the rate of peripartum hysterectomy ( p  = 0.331), but was associated with increased surgical duration, prolonged postoperative hospitalization, and a higher incidence of postoperative fever ( p  < 0.0001, p  = 0.0004, and p  = 0.002, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the number of packed red blood cells or fresh frozen plasma transfused, cryoprecipitate use, urinary system injury, intensive care unit admissions, or postoperative complications (including intrauterine hematocele, intrauterine infection, surgical site infection, and deep tissue infection). In this retrospective analysis, PUAE was associated with increased febrile morbidity and prolonged recovery, without a significant reduction in blood loss or hysterectomy rates in second-trimester pregnancy terminations with previa PAS and prior CD.

Objective We investigated the efficacy of a combination of laparoscopy and bilateral uterine artery occlusion (BUAO) for the treatment of type II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods Patients with type II CSP underwent laparoscopy + bilateral uterine artery embolization (control group) or laparoscopy + BUAO (study group). Data regarding the duration of surgery, intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative complications, the duration of the hospital stay, and the costs of hospitalization were retrospectively collected. One year later, the time to the return of the β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) concentration to normal and to the return of menstruation were compared. Results The duration of surgery, time to the return of menstruation, and incidence of postoperative complications in the study group were significantly less than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the time for β-hCG to return to normal or the volume of intraoperative hemorrhage. The duration of hospitalization and costs for the control group were higher than those for the study group. Conclusion Laparoscopy in combination with BUAO is associated with minimal trauma, rapid recovery, a short duration of surgery, low cost of hospitalization, and a low postoperative complication rate. Thus, it represents a useful new surgical treatment for type II CSP.

PurposeTo evaluate the relationship between gelatin sponge preparation methods and the incidence of intrauterine synechia following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).Materials and MethodsIn a retrospective monocentric study, we used data from 20 consecutive UAE procedures (19 patients) for PPH, performed in 2007–2016, in which gelatin sponge had been used. The gelatin sponge was processed either into a slurry by pumping it back and forth about 10 times through two syringes connected to a three-way stopcock or into pledgets using a scalpel and small scissors to obtain pieces approximately 2 × 2 × 2 mm in size. Patient information was obtained from medical records, and the data were compared between patients treated with the slurry (n = 7) or pledgets (n = 13) forms. Due to the lack of follow-up data and hysterectomy after UAE, the sample size was 6 and 12 because 1 patient with 2 procedures was excluded.ResultsThe rate of intrauterine synechia was significantly higher in the slurry group (5/6, 83.3%) than that in the pledgets group (0/12, 0%; P < 0.001). In contrast, there were no significant differences in population characteristics, such as the incidence of placenta accreta, non-placental diseases, and severity of shock (DIC score, shock index, or blood loss) between the groups.ConclusionsAlthough non-randomization and small sample size were the two main limitations, our observations suggest that UAE using gelatin sponge slurry may be associated with a high incidence of intrauterine synechia compared to UAE using pledgets.

Background and Objectives: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has become an accepted and widely performed therapy for patients with symptomatic (reporting at least two of the following symptoms: severe or prolonged menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, tension in abdomen, problems with urination, constipation or anemia) uterine fibroids. Although in the majority of cases, bilateral occlusion is required to obtain a successful clinical outcome, there are patients in whom treatment of only one uterine artery could be attempted. There are several reasons for unilateral UAE: hemodynamic conditions, technical difficulties, anatomical variants and unilateral dominancy of blood supply to the fibroid. Our aim is to present our 10-year experience with unilateral UAE and evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Records of 369 patients with fibroids who underwent UAE from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed. We identified 26 patients treated with unilateral uterine artery embolization and analyzed the data of these patients. All patients attended medical consultation, were assessed using a five-grade symptom scale and underwent MRI examination. Clinical response was evaluated at least 6 months after the procedure and was categorized to one of the following groups: complete improvement, partial improvement, no change and a worsening in symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients (85%) reported at least partial improvement 6 months following the procedure. One patient required secondary embolization due to recanalization. The secondary procedure was successful, and complete improvement was achieved. One patient did not observe any clinical improvement, and in two cases, symptom recurrence was observed. All three patients were referred for surgical treatment. No major complications were noted. Overall, the success rate was 88%. Conclusions: The results of our study support the statement that elective unilateral embolization is an appropriate treatment in patients with a dominant uterine artery.

PurposeUterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is rare but can cause life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). To evaluate a novel sandwich embolization technique as a treatment for PPH caused by UAP.MethodsThis retrospective study included 10 patients with PPH caused by UAP who were treated using a modified sandwich embolization technique at the Radiology Department, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between April 2009 and September 2018. Baseline clinical characteristics, intraoperative data (including treatment effectiveness) and postoperative data (including re-bleeding events and complications) were extracted from the medical records.ResultsUterine arterial angiography showed cystic shadowing of the vascular wall during the arterial phase in all patients. Spraying of contrast agent into the pseudoaneurysm was observed for large UAPs, and the pseudoaneurysm disappeared in the venous phase. The pseudoaneurysm blood supply was from the uterine artery in 9 patients (90%) and the uterine, superior vesical, internal pudendal and nameless little arteries in 1 patient (10%). Bleeding symptoms were completely relieved in all patients after sandwich embolization. Eight patients experienced painful contractions in the perioperative period, but there were no other postoperative complications. During the 1-year postoperative follow-up, 9 patients (90%) had no re-bleeding symptoms/signs. One patient (10%), who had a pseudoaneurysm supplied by the uterine, superior vesical, internal pudendal and nameless little arteries, experienced re-bleeding 20 days after surgery and was treated by hysterectomy.ConclusionModified sandwich embolization is an effective treatment for PPH caused by UAP.

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) for assessing recanalization of uterine arteries (UAs) after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic fibroids. Pre-procedural and follow-up unenhanced MRA images of 30 patients were reviewed, and the extent to which the UAs could be visualized was classified on a 4-point scale. An increase in the score between consecutive time points indicates that a previously inconspicuous segment of the UA became visible on follow-up images. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (or absence) of recanalization. The median UA visualization score at each follow-up was significantly lower than that at baseline (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the scores of the follow-up images. Recanalization was detected in 63% (19/30) of patients. In these patients, the mean decrease in uterine and largest fibroid volume at 12 months after UAE was inferior to the mean decrease in patients for whom recanalization was not detected. Based on MRA assessment, recanalization after UAE occurred in 63% of patients but did not compromise the reduction in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes within 12 months after UAE.

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) combined with curettage and methotrexate (MTX) plus curettage in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods From January 2005 to December 2013, we treated 38 CSP patients with UAE combined with curettage, and another 26 patients with CSP were treated with methotrexate (MTX) plus curettage. The resulting data were analyzed statistically. Results The median volume of blood loss was 17.5 ml in the UAE combined with curettage (UAE-C) group vs. 335 ml in the MTX plus curettage (MTX-C) group ( p  < 0.001). The time from the procedure till β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) concentration returned to normal was 25.13 ± 3.74 days in the UAE-C group vs. 56.15 ± 15.99 days in the MTX-C group ( p  < 0.001). The duration of hospitalization was 7.44 ± 1.92 vs. 19.38 ± 8.75 days, respectively ( p  < 0.001). The percentage of side effects in the UAE-C group was significantly lower than in the MTX-C group. Conclusions UAE combined with curettage appears to be superior to MTX plus curettage for treatment of CSP with high serum β-hCG level, though prospective trials are needed.

Purpose To perform a literature review of the spectrum of complications associated with UAE relative to surgery and compare the risk of reintervention as well as minor, major, and overall complications. Materials and Methods Literature review was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases, and meta-analysis was performed. Results In randomized clinical trials, common complications were discharge and fever (4.00 %), bilateral uterine artery embolization (UAE) failure (4.00 %), and postembolization syndrome (2.86 %). Two trials showed a significantly decreased risk in major complications with UAE, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.07143 (0.009426–0.5413) and 0.5196 (0.279–0.9678). None of the trials showed a significant difference in OR for minor complications of UAE. None of the trials showed a significant difference in risk for overall complications of UAE. Three trials showed a significantly increased risk for reintervention with UAE with ORs of 10.45 (2.654–41.14), 2.679 (1.289–5.564), and 9.096 (1.269–65.18). In 76 nonrandomized studies, common complications were amenorrhea (4.26 %), pain (3.59 %), and discharge and fever (3.37 %). In 41 case studies, common complications were discharge and fever ( n  = 22 cases), repeat UAE ( n  = 6 cases), and fibroid expulsion ( n  = 5 cases). Conclusion Overall, UAE has a significantly lower rate of major complications relative to surgery, but it comes at the cost of increased risk of reintervention in the future. Educating patients about the rate and types of complications of UAE versus surgery, as well as the potential for reintervention, should help the patient and clinician come to a reasoned decision.

Purpose To compare acute pain after uterine artery embolization (UAE) with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) versus gelatin sponge particles (GS) for leiomyoma. Materials and Methods This was a single-institution, retrospective study. Between July 2008 and November 2016, 101 consecutive patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyoma underwent UAE with the same protocol for post-procedural pain. GS was employed with near-stasis endpoint for the first 49 patients, whereas TAGM was used with limited endpoint for the next 52 patients. Post-UAE pain levels were compared between both groups with a linear mixed model using visual analog scale (VAS) scores from 0 to 18 h as a repeat measure outcome. Peak VAS < 24 h or dose of drugs for analgesia and conscious sedation was compared by analysis of variance. Tumor infarction was assessed with post-procedural contrast-enhanced MRI. Results Baseline demographics and most outcomes including tumor infarction were similar between both groups. The average VAS scores during the period <24 h were significantly lower in TAGM group (1.68, 95% CI 1.23–2.13) compared to GS group (3.28, 95% CI 2.82–3.74, p  < 0.0001). The difference remained significant even after adjustment for other factors ( p  < 0.0001). The mean peak VAS < 24 h was also lower in TAGM group (3.89, 95% CI 3.25–4.53) than in GS group (5.90, 95% CI 5.20–6.53, p  < 0.0001). The dose of drugs for analgesia and conscious sedation was significantly lower in TAGM group ( p  = 0.001, p  = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion TAGM had an advantage over GS in UAE for leiomyoma in terms of less post-procedural pain <24 h, with lower doses of drugs for analgesia and conscious sedation.