Unsuccessful Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Case Report

• Published in: Tungs’ Medical Journal Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 23 - 26
• Main Authors: Chen-Lung Chien, Hueng-Chuen Fan, Jong-Shiaw Jin, John Hsu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 台灣 童綜合醫療社團法人童綜合醫院 30.06.2022; 童綜合醫學雜誌社
• Subjects: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE); Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)
• ISSN: 2071-3592; 2071-3592
• DOI: 10.53106/207135922022061601004

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the most common cause of death from childbirth and is commonly treated with transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE). However, TAE failure could occur in the form of intractable PPH with uncontrolled bleeding. Here we report the case of a 36-year-old female who developed PPH post-delivery and was treated with TAE. The bilateral internal iliac and uterine arteries were first catheterised, after which embolisation of the bilateral uterine and internal iliac arteries was performed with Gelfoam particles, and the blood flow of the vessels was markedly reduced after the embolisation. However, the patient's blood pressure remained low (about 60/40 mmHg) after TAE, necessitating a subtotal hysterectomy. In this report, related studies on the risk factors and treatments for PPH and the risk factors for the clinical failure of TAE are discussed.