Percutaneous transcatheter angiographic embolization in the management of obstetric hemorrhage.

Objective: To describe the results of percutaneous arterial embolization in the management of obstetric hemorrhage.

Study Design: From February 1992 to May 2000, 33 patients with pregnancy-related hemorrhage underwent angiographic embolization to control the hemorrhage. In all cases, hemostatic embolization was performed because of intractable hemorrhage unresponsive to conservative management. All available hospital records were reviewed and detailed, and the clinical data related to complications, clinical status, estimated blood loss and blood replacement requirements, length of time of procedure, emboli used, complications associated with the procedure and results obtained were analyzed.

Results: Successful embolization was achieved in 31 of 33 patients. No major complications related to embolization occurred, and 3 women subsequently became pregnant.

Conclusion: Angiographic embolization is a safe and effective method of controlling pregnancy-related hemorrhagic complications unresponsive to conservative management and maintains reproductive ability.