Renal artery embolization: A minimally invasive technique in the treatment of acute intractable iatrogenic hematuria – Experience at a tertiary care center

Abstract

Introduction: Hematuria following iatrogenic trauma or renal vascular malformations is less common but important causes warranting definite emergency procedure in cases not responding to conservative management. Endovascular embolization is accepted as an effective technique for the treatment of acute intractable hematuria. Considering the need of microcatheter for selective embolization, its use during the procedure increases the procedural cost significantly. The purpose of the present study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of selective renal artery embolization in patients with intractable hematuria using a 4-F glide catheter (GC). The microcatheter usage during our study was intended to be restricted to cases where the GC was not navigable to the optimal site for embolization. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was done for 21 cases with acute intractable hematuria referred to our center between January 2015 and February 2019. Fifteen male and 6 female patients were included. Seventeen cases followed iatrogenic injury during a renal biopsy, 2 cases were due to renal neoplasm, and 1 each due to PCN and abdominal trauma. Embolization was carried out after selective catheterization of the feeding artery, with a 4-F GC using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles in combination with pushable coils in all cases. Results: The source of bleeding was identified as arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in 14, AVF with pseudoaneurysm (PA) in 3, PA alone in 2, and abnormal tumor vascularity in 2 patients. In all but 2 cases, the hematuria stopped within 24 h after embolization. In the remaining 2 cases, hematuria stopped completely within 72 h. One patient developed minor puncture site bleed with no major procedural complications or recurrence on follow-up. Conclusion: Endovascular embolization is a highly effective minimally invasive technique for the treatment of acute intractable hematuria. Good results were achieved without using any microcatheter (hence cost-effective) with no clinically significant nontarget embolization.