Persistent bleeding after uterine artery embolisation for pseudoaneurysm should prompt investigation for anastomotic feeding vessels, such as the ovarian artery, which can be successfully treated with repeat embolisation.
Endovascular embolization may resolve bleeding from uterine artery pseudoaneurysm; leaves open need for prospective validation before routine adoption.
Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is a rare cause of delayed postpartum haemorrhage. Early diagnosis and endovascular management are effective in treating this condition. We present the case of a 36-year-old gravida 3, para 2 woman with delayed postpartum haemorrhage and endometritis following a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Ultrasound and catheter angiogram demonstrated a UAP arising from the distal aspect of the left uterine artery. Significant bleed persisted despite selective bilateral uterine artery embolisation. A repeat angiogram confirmed complete occlusion of bilateral uterine arteries, but abdominal aortogram demonstrated that the left ovarian artery was now feeding the pseudoaneurysm. A repeat embolisation procedure was performed to occlude the left ovarian artery. The patient was discharged the following day. Selective arterial embolisation is effective in the management of UAP. Persistent bleeding despite embolisation should raise the suspicion of anastomotic vascular supply and may require repeat embolisation.
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Wu et al. (2018) studied this question.
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