Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization: a case report in a woman with leiomyomata

• Author(s): Lopes, H. ; Sá, M. ; Rodrigues, R.
• Date: 2015
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.16/1962
• Origin: Repositório Científico da Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António (ULSSA)
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Repositório Científico da Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António

Description

Background. Several pregnancies have been reported after embolization of uterine artery. This procedure is an accepted nonsurgical treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids but its safety in women desiring future childbearing is not well established. Case Report. We present a 40-year-old woman with leiomyomata who became pregnant after previously undergone uterine artery embolization for three times. The placenta was previa and the fetus was in transverse position. She had a cesarean delivery of an appropriately grown fetus at 37 weeks, which was followed by uterine atony requiring hysterectomy. Conclusion. Although pregnancy-related outcomes remain understudied, the available reports evidence that pregnancies after uterine artery embolization may be at significantly increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, abnormal placentation, and malpresentation. In patients who are undergoing this type of treatment and contemplating pregnancy, the possibility of adverse complications should be taken in consideration and women should be appropriately advised.