Long-term outcomes of uterine artery embolization in patients with early hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage

Introduction. Obstetric haemorrhage remains the number one cause of maternal death globally. Today, the frequency of hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) reaches 80% in the obstetric hemorrhage profile.

Objective. To evaluate the long-term outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of early hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Material and methods. 136 patients were examined 2–8 years after UAE performed for early hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage. A survey was conducted for everyone. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs on the 5th–7th day of the menstrual cycle with an assessment of endometrial thickness, ovarian volume, number of antral follicles, and also Dopplerography were performed in 34 patients. Hormonal status was studied in 34 patients, that were examined in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, with an assessment of serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones.

Results. 19.1% (26/136) of patients planned pregnancy. Pregnancy occurred in 61.5% (16/26). Term delivery occurred in 38.5% (10/26), PPH recurrence occurred in 30% (3/10), placenta accretion was not detected. 23.1% (6/26) patients were pregnant at the time of the survey. Neither morphological nor functional changes of the ovaries were detected in patients 2–8 years after UAE.

Conclusions. Uterine artery embolization is a safe method of therapy of early hypotonic postpartum hemorrhage.

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