Embolization for post-partum haemorrhage

What is embolisation for post-partum haemorrhage?

 

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for patients who have given birth to haemorrhage, meaning they lose a lot of blood after the baby is delivered. This is known as post-partum haemorrhage, and can be life-threatening.

Embolisation is a minimally invasive treatment which seals off the bleeding vessels.

                                                  

How does the procedure work?

The interventional radiologist will insert a 2-3 mm catheter (tube) into a blood vessel in your groin and will guide it under imaging to the right and left uterine arteries. They will then inject microparticles (particles which are smaller than a grain of sand) into the uterine arteries, reducing blood flow to the uterus and so controlling acute bleeding.

 

Why perform it?

Without treatment, a patient suffering from post-partum haemorrhage may go into shock, which is life-threatening.

The embolisation procedure is successful in controlling the bleeding and stabilising the patient in over 95% of cases.

 

What are the risks?

Minor risks include bruising in the groin. More significant risks include microparticles or coils moving to other areas of your body and blocking other arteries.

 

 

 

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