Efficacy of Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Anticoagulant-Associated Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Kapil Wattamwar, Moona Arabkhazaeli, Ja Hyun Shin, Ricki Korff, Jacob Cynamon, Yosef Golowa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Study Objective: Data regarding uterine artery embolization (UAE) to specifically treat anticoagulant-associated iatrogenic abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB-I) are sparse. This manuscript aimed to quantify the effectiveness of UAE in treating this subset of patients. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Academic hospital serving a large minority-majority population. Patients: Twenty-four patients with AUB-I that was provoked or aggravated by the initiation of anticoagulation therapy. Interventions: Treatment of anticoagulant-associated AUB-I that failed medical management or was acute with UAE rather than inferior vena cava filter placement and hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results: An imaging database search was performed to identify patients who underwent UAE for anticoagulant-associated AUB-I from May 2011 to July 2020. Medical and radiologic records were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were obtained to date, ranging from 10 months to 10 years after the procedure. In total, 24 patients were identified, ranging in age from 35 to 54 (mean 44.9) years. Venous thromboembolic disease was the most common (92%) indication for anticoagulation. At presentation, 14 patients (58%) were anticipated to require lifelong anticoagulation. Most UAE procedures (54%) occurred within 10 days of anticoagulation initiation. Before UAE, 17 patients (71%) attempted and failed medical management, myomectomy, or endometrial ablation to control bleeding. After UAE, 21 patients (88%) experienced substantial improvement or resolution of AUB and continued anticoagulation therapy. Three patients (14%) did not experience improvement and were treated with hysterectomy. Amenorrhea immediately after UAE occurred in 1 patient at age 45. Conclusion: UAE was an effective tool in the management of anticoagulant associated AUB-I in this cohort, resulting in decreased bleeding while allowing the continuation of anticoagulation therapy, with high rates of uterine preservation and preserved menses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)128-134.e1
JournalJournal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2022

Keywords

  • AUB
  • Anticoagulation
  • Hemorrhage
  • Hysterectomy
  • UAE

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Efficacy of Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Anticoagulant-Associated Abnormal Uterine Bleeding'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this