Journal List > J Korean Soc Radiol > v.80(1) > 1138117

Kwon, So, Kim, Kim, Choi, and Moon: Uterine Artery Embolization in Patients with PostpartumHemorrhage: Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Treatment with N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in patients with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Materials and Methods

From February 2010 to May 2018, 14 patients (age: 28–39 years; mean: 33 years) underwent UAE using NBCA among 82 patients with PPH. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the patients characteristics, cause of PPH, embolization procedure, and outcomes.

Results

Angiograms revealed extravasation (n = 10) or pseudoaneurysm (n = 4) in all patients. The causes of PPH were hysterotomy or hysterectomy related arterial injury (n = 11), cervical laceration (n = 2), and abnormal placentation (n = 1). UAE was performed with NBCA in all patients. Additional UAE with gelatin sponge particles was performed in two patients. Additional non-uterine artery embolization was performed in three patients. Coagulopathy was found in five (35.7%) patients. The technical and clinical success rates were 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively. One patient died from multi-organ failure eight days after UAE. One patient with abnormal placentation had pelvic organ ischemia due to multiple pelvic artery embolization.

Conclusion

UAE using NBCA is safe and effective for the patients with PPH showing extravasation or pseudoaneurysm.

References

1. Khan KS, Wojdyla D, Say L, Gülmezoglu AM, Van Look PF. WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: a systematic review.Lancet. 2006; 367:1066–1074.
2. Devine PC. Obstetric hemorrhage. Semin Perinatol. 2009; 33:76–81.
crossref
3. Revert M, Cottenet J, Raynal P, Cibot E, Quantin C, Rozenberg P. Intrauterine balloon tamponade for management of severe postpartum haemorrhage in a perinatal network: a prospective cohort study.BJOG. 2017; 124:1255–1262.
4. Pelage JP, Le Dref O, Mateo J, Soyer P, Jacob D, Kardache M, et al. Life-threatening primary postpartum hemorrhage: treatment with emergency selective arterial embolization. Radiology. 1998; 208:359–362.
crossref
5. Ganguli S, Stecker MS, Pyne D, Baum RA, Fan CM. Uterine artery embolization in the treatment of postpartum uterine hemorrhage. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2011; 22:169–176.
crossref
6. Park JK, Shin TB, Baek JC, Shin JK, Choi WJ, Lee SA, et al. Failure of uterine artery embolization for controlling postpartum hemorrhage. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2011; 37:971–978.
crossref
7. Gonsalves M, Belli A. The role of interventional radiology in obstetric hemorrhage.Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2010; 33:887–895.
8. Tanahashi Y, Goshima S, Kondo H, Ando T, Noda Y, Kawada H, et al. Transcatheter arterial embolization for primary postpartum hemorrhage: predictive factors of need for embolic material conversion of gelatin sponge particles to N-butyl cyanoacrylate. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2017; 40:236–244.
crossref
9. Matsubara S, Sato T, Nakata M. Vaginal artery embolization with a permanent embolic agent for intractable postpartum hemorrhage.J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2011; 37:377–378.
10. Koo HJ, Shin JH, Kim HJ, Kim J, Yoon HK, Ko GY, et al. Clinical outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for control of acute gastrointestinal tract bleeding. AJR Am J Roentgen-ol. 2015; 204:662–668.
crossref
11. Song HH, Won YD, Kim YJ. Transcatheter N-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization of pseudoaneurysms.J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2010; 21:1508–1511.
12. Yoo DH, Jae HJ, Kim HC, Chung JW, Park JH. Transcatheter arterial embolization of intramuscular active hemorrhage with N-butyl cyanoacrylate. Cardiovasc Intervent Rad/iiol. 2012; 35:292–298.
crossref
13. Yonemitsu T, Kawai N, Sato M, Tanihata H, Takasaka I, Nakai M, et al. Evaluation of transcatheter arterial embolization with gelatin sponge particles, microcoils, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate for acute arterial bleeding in a coagulopathic condition. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009; 20:1176–1187.
crossref
14. Kim GM, Yoon CJ, Seong NJ, Kang SG, Kim YJ. Postpartum haemorrhage from ruptured pseudoaneurysm: efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.Eur Radiol. 2013; 23:2344–2349.
15. Park KJ, Shin JH, Yoon HK, Gwon DI, Ko GY, Sung KB. Postpartum hemorrhage from extravasation or pseudoaneurysm: efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization using N-butyl cyanoacrylate and comparison with gelatin sponge particle.J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2015; 26:154–161.
16. Kanematsu M, Watanabe H, Kondo H, Goshima S, Kato H, Furui T, et al. Postpartum hemorrhage in coagulopathic patients: preliminary experience with uterine arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate.J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2011; 22:1773–1776.
17. Lee WH, Yang SB, Goo DE, Kim YJ, Lee JM, Kang CH, et al. Uterine artery embolization: the interventional treatment of female genital diseases. J Korean Soc Radiol. 2017; 76:1–9.
crossref
18. Huang YS, Chang CC, Liou JM, Jaw FS, Liu KL. Transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hemodynamically unstable patients: results and predictors of clinical outcomes. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2014; 25:1850–1857.
crossref
19. Dohan A, Eveno C, Dautry R, Guerrache Y, Camus M, Boudiaf M, et al. Role and effectiveness of percutaneous arterial embolization in hemodynamically unstable patients with ruptured splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2015; 38:862–870.
crossref
20. Aina R, Oliva VL, Therasse E, Perreault P, Bui BT, Dufresne MP, et al. Arterial embolotherapy for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: outcome assessment.J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2001; 12:195–200.
21. Sacks D, McClenny TE, Cardella JF, Lewis CA. Society of Interventional Radiology clinical practice guidelines. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003; 14:S199–S202.
crossref
22. Pelage JP, Soyer P, Repiquet D, Herbreteau D, Le Dref O, Houdart E, et al. Secondary postpartum hemorrhage: treatment with selective arterial embolization.Radiology. 1999; 212:385–389.
23. Wang BH, Boulton M, Lee DH, Pelz DM, Lownie SP. A systematic characterization of the factors influencing polymerization and dynamic behavior of n-butyl cyanoacrylate.J Neuro/iinterv Surg. 2018; 10:150–155.
24. Takasawa C, Seiji K, Matsunaga K, Matsuhashi T, Ohta M, Shida S, et al. Properties of N-butyl cyanoacrylate-iodized oil mixtures for arterial embolization: in vitro and in vivo experiments.J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2012; 23:1215–1221.
25. Pelage JP, Le Dref O, Soyer P, Jacob D, Kardache M, Dahan H, et al. Arterial anatomy of the female genital tract: variations and relevance to transcatheter embolization of the uterus. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999; 172:989–994.
crossref
26. Kim JE, So YH, Kim BJ, Kim SM, Choi YH, Sung CK. Postpartum hemorrhage from non-uterine arteries: clinical importance of their detection and the results of selective embolization.Acta Radiol. 2018; 59:932–938.

Fig. 1.
A 34-year-old woman presented with postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery. A. Pelvic aortography shows extravasation of contrast material (arrowhead) at the proximal portion of the uterine artery (arrow). B. A radiograph obtained immediately after embolization shows a microcatheter advanced into the uterine artery (arrow) and N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate filled in the pseudoaneurysm and uterine artery (arrow heads).
jksr-80-88f1.tif
Fig. 2.
A 38-year-old woman presented with postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery. A. Axial CT scan shows contrast material extravasation at the posterior aspect of the lacerated uterine cervix (arrows). Extravasated contrast material pooling in the posterior fornix of the vagina (arrowheads). B. Bilateral internal iliac arteriography showing extravasation (arrowheads) from bilateral cervical arteries (arrows). C. Post-embolic spot image showing the microcatheter advanced into the cervical artery (arrows) and the casted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate at the bleeding focus (arrowheads).
jksr-80-88f2.tif
Fig. 3.
A 31-year-old woman presented with postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery. A. Right internal iliac arteriography showing extravasation of contrast material at the uterine fundus (arrow). B. A radiograph showing the microcatheter advanced into the far distal uterine arterial branch through the tortuous segment (arrows). C. Post-embolic arteriography showing the casted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate at the bleeding segment without reflux to the proximal or distal uterine artery (arrows).
jksr-80-88f3.tif
Table 1.
Basic Characteristics and Laboratory Findings of the Patients Who Underwent Uterine Artery Embolization Using N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate
Variables Values
Age (mean [range], years) 33 [28–39]
Hb level (mean ± SD) 7 ± 2.4
Delivery type (%)
Vaginal delivery 4 (28.6)
Cesarean delivery 10 (71.4)
Major causes of PPH (%)
Hysterotomy or hysterectomy related arterial injury 11 (78.6)
Cervical laceration 2 (14.3)
Abnormal placentation 1 (7.1)
Onset of PPH (%)
Primary 11 (78.6)
Primary Secondary 11 (78.6) 3 (21.4)
Conservative treatment (%)
Uterotonic agents 11 (78.6)
Uterotonic agents Intrauterine balloon tamponade (Bakri) 11 (78.6) 2 (14.3)
Coagulopathy 5 (35.7)
Hemodynamic instability (%)
Stable 3 (21.4)
Unstable 11 (78.6)

Hb = hemoglobin, PPH = postpartum hemorrhage, SD = standard deviation

Table 2.
Angiographic Findings and the Results of Embolization
Parameters Values (%)
Angiographic finding
Extravasation 10 (71.4)
Pseudoaneurysm 4 (28.6)
Embolized arteries
Uterine artery (including two cervical artery) 14
Inferior epigastric artery 2
Vaginal artery 1
Vesical artery 1
Internal pudendal artery 1
Technical success 13/14 (92.9)
Clinical success 12/14 (85.7)
Clinical success in coagulopathy 3/5 (60)
Major complication 1 (7.1)
Table 3.
Supplementary Information of the Patients, Treatment Details, and Outcomes
Pt. No. Age (Y) Type of Delivery Onset of Bleeding Cause of PPH Initial Hb Level (g/dL) Coagulopathy Embolized Arteries Using NBCA Non-Uterine Artery Embolization Hysterectomy Technical Success Clinical Success
1 31 Vaginal Primary Cervical laceration 8.7 No CA None No Success Success
2 38 Vaginal Primary Cervical laceration 6.8 Yes CA None No Success Success
3 34 Cesarean Secondary Hysterotomy related arterial injury 8.5 Yes UA None No Success Success
4 39 Cesarean Primary Hysterotomy related arterial injury 9.8 No UA None No Success Success
5 31 Cesarean Secondary arterial injuryHysterotomy related arterial injury 8.2 No UA None No Success Success
6 30 Cesarean Primary Hysterectomy related arterial injury 8.4 No UA None Yes∗ Success Success
7 28 Cesarean Primary injury Hysterotomy related arterial injury 9.7 No UA None No Success Success
8 31 Cesarean Secondary arterial injury Hysterotomy related arterial injury, uterine atony 9.1 No UA None No Success Success
9 30 Cesarean Primary uterine atony Hysterotomy related arterial injury 3.9 Yes UA None Yes Success Fail
10 34 Vaginal Primary Hysterectomy related arterial injury, abdominal wall bleeding 6.9 No UA, IEA Yes Yes∗ Success Success
11 35 Cesarean Primary wall bleeding Hysterotomy related arterial injury 5.2 No UA None No Success Success
12 33 Cesarean Primary arterial injury Placenta previa with percreta 3.7 Yes UA Yes Yes Fail Fail
13 32 Cesarean Primary Hysterotomy related arterial injury,abdominal wallbleeding, uterine atony 8.4 Yes UA Yes No Success Success
14 36 Vaginal Primary Hysterotomy related arterial injury 8.8 No UA None No Success Success

arterial injury ∗Hysterectomy was performed in another hospital. CA = cervical artery, Hb = hemoglobin, IEA = inferior epigastric artery, NBCA = N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, PPH = postpartum hemorrhage, Pt = patient, UA = uterine artery

TOOLS
Similar articles