Outcomes and complications of severe acute postpartum hemorrhage treated with or without transarterial embolization in a single tertiary referral center: A 20-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: PPH is usually unpredictable; and such fast, urgent and sudden massive life-threating hemorrhage. This study is to assess the efficacy of transarterial embolization (TAE) in treating severe PPH in a single institution over a period of 20 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to October 2019, all women with acute PPH more than 1500 cc and/or DIC were enrolled in this retrospective study. These women were divided into two groups according to whether they have received TAE as the second-line treatment. Group 1 (n = 27) included women without receiving TAE from January 1, 2000 to October 31, 2009, and group 2 (n = 30) included those who receiving TAE from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2019. RESULTS: The overall success rate of TAE in control the PPH and preserved the uterus is 80%. The hemoglobin 12 h after PPH in group 2 is significantly lower than in group 1 (7.64 ± 1.6 vs. 8.58 ± 1.9, respectively. P = 0.05). Total unit of packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion is significantly higher in the group 2 than group 1 (9.8 ± 5.7 vs. 6.8 ± 3.9; p = 0.03). The rate of hysterectomy is significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (46.7 vs. 20%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, TAE is safe and effective in control bleeding in PPH with a high success rate to preserve uterus and prevent DIC. TAE should be routinely used as a secondary line of treatment during PPH in all hospitals.