Repeat uterine artery embolization (UAE) for recurrent postpartum hemorrhage in patients who underwent UAE after a previous delivery: a multicenter study

To evaluate angiographic findings and outcomes of repeat uterine artery embolization (UAE) for recurrent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in patients who previously underwent UAE for PPH after a previous delivery.

Among 1805 patients who underwent UAE for PPH from 2007 to 2020 at four participating hospitals, the data of 21 (1.16%) patients who underwent UAE for PPH after subsequent delivery were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The rate of placental abnormalities, causes of PPH, angiographic findings, and clinical success rate were evaluated.

The technical success rates were 100% and 95.2%, and clinical success rates were 85.7% and 95.2% in association with first and second UAEs, respectively. The time intervals between first and second UAEs ranged from 15.6 to 103.3 months (46.5 ± 25.0 months). The rate of placental abnormalities was significantly higher in association with second UAEs than with first UAEs (71.4% vs. 42.8%, p = 0.034). The causes of PPH were different between first and second UAEs with borderline significance (p = 0.049); uterine atony (81.0%) and placenta accreta spectrum (57.1%) were most common in association with first and second UAEs, respectively. During second UAEs, obliterated arteries were observed in 27 uterine arteries (27/42, 64.3%) of 16 patients (16/21, 76.2%), with partial obliteration predominating over total obliteration. Collateral arteries were observed in 15 patients during second UAEs.

Repeat UAE is safe and effective for recurrent PPH after subsequent delivery in patients with prior UAE. Obliteration of UAs and formation of collateral arteries are common at the second UAEs.