Safety and Effectiveness of Transarterial Embolization for Blunt Abdominal Injuries: A Multicenter Study with Review of Literature

Abstract

Aims To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transarterial embolization for blunt abdominal trauma in patients without the imaging signs of peritonitis or bowel injury. Materials and Methods A total of 45 patients (41 males and 4 females; mean age: 32.15) were studied, of which 48% were hemodynamically unstable. All patients underwent multidetector computed tomography prior to selective angiography and embolization. Outcomes were considered as favorable if embolization was successful in achieving hemostasis. The frequency of complications, mortality rates, and duration of hospital stay were calculated. Results Embolization was successful in achieving hemostasis in all patients. None of the patients required surgery to achieve hemostasis after embolization. The overall mortality rate was 13.3% and none related to persistent bleeding. The mean intensive care unit stay was 5.6 days and the median was 3.5 days. Only one patient required continued blood transfusion of more than 10 units after embolization. No major complications were encountered except for one patient who required hemodialysis for acute renal injury related to embolization procedure. Conclusion Transarterial embolization is very effective in treating bleeding related to blunt abdominal trauma even in hemodynamically unstable patients and is associated with minimal complications. Embolization should be considered as an integral part of resuscitative measures for bleeding related to trauma.