Effects of uterine artery embolization on life quality in premenopausal women

• Published in: Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde
• Main Authors: Gyroglou, S, Liberis, A, Manav, B, Naoumis, P, Bouschanetsis, C, Galazios, G, Tsikouras, P
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 13.10.2016
• ISSN: 0016-5751; 1438-8804
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1593073

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of life after uterine artery embolization (UAE) treatment for uterine fibroids (UF) of premenopausal women. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study enrolled 96 participants, aged 32 – 49 years, who underwent UAE for symptomatic UF. UAE consisted of unilateral femoral artery puncture, bilateral selective catheterization of uterine arteries using 4-F Cobra 1 or Simmons 1 catheters, super selective catheterizations with microcatheters 2,7-F (bypassing vaginal and cervical arteries or even ovarians) and use of precise calibrated polyzene coated microspheres 700 µm in diameter as embolic material. Patients answered a women's health questionnaire regarding menopausal symptoms and was evaluated before and after UAE at the 1 st , 3 rd , 6 th and 12 th month, aside with imaging (MRI) evaluation. Results: Bilateral UAE was successfully performed in all cases. All participants responded the Questionaire on the 1 st , 3 rd , 6 th , 9 th , 12 th post interventional month. Most common symptoms like headache, vertigo and bleeding in either mild or moderate form were reduced at the 2 nd and disappeared completely at the 3 rd visit after 3 and 6 months respectively. All the answers reported improvement of quality of life 3,6 months post interventional. Complete elimination of clinical symptoms like irregular vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain occurred after 6 months. Conclusion: According to our results, 6 months after UAE the patients have improvement of general quality of life depending on sastifactory elimination of clinical problems.