[Clinical effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization for acute upper and lower non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding].

Background/aims: Although the initial rate of hemostasis achieved by endoscopic treatment for acute non- variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (NVGIB) is high, recurrent or persistent bleeding occurs in 10% to 25% of the patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with acute upper and lower NVGIB who could not be managed by endoscopic treatment.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data was done in 43 patients (M/F: 26/17, mean age: 60 years) whom underwent angiography or TAE for acute upper and lower NVGIB between January 1998 and December 2003. Among 43 patients, 18 had upper NVGIB, 19 had lower NVGIB, and 6 had obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Demographic characteristics and outcome parameters including the rates of hemostasis, in-hospital death, and complications were analyzed.

Results: Thirty-four patients underwent TAE while 9 patients underwent angiography. TAE was used as the first line treatment in 17 patients and as the second line treatment in others. Hemostasis was achieved in 29 of 34 patients (85.3%) by TAE. According to the site of bleeding, hemostasis was achieved in 14 of 17 patients (82.4%) with upper NVGIB and in 15 of 17 patients (88.2%) with lower NVGIB. There was no significant angiography or TAE-related complications such as bowel ischemia or infarction except a hematoma on the angiography site in one patient.

Conclusions: TAE is effective and safe in patients with acute upper or lower NVGIB who cannot be managed by endoscopic treatment.