The role of endovascular treatment of pelvic fracture bleeding in emergency settings

Purpose: To evaluate the role of endovascular treatment for controlling haemorrhage in haemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic bone fractures and to relate clinical efficacy to pre-procedural variables. Materials and Methods: From March 2009 through April 2013, 168 patients with major pelvic trauma associated with high-flow haemorrhage were referred to our emergency department and were retrospectively reviewed. Pelvic arteries involved were one or more per patient. Embolisation was performed using various materials (micro-coils, Spongostan, plug, glue, covered stent), and technical success, complications, treatment success, clinical efficacy, rebleeding, and mortality rates were assessed. Factors influencing clinical efficacy were also evaluated. Results: The technical success rate was 100 %; no complications occurred during the procedures. Treatment was successful in 94.6 % cases, and clinical efficacy was 85.7 %. Three patients had to undergo a second arteriography due to recurrent haemorrhage. Fifteen patients died. Pre-embolisation transfusion demand was significantly associated with clinical efficacy. Conclusions: Percutaneous embolisation of pelvic bleeding may be considered a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic option. As haemodynamic stability is the first objective with traumatic haemorrhagic patient, arterial embolisation can assume a primary role. On the basis of our results, pre-procedural transfusion status may be considered a prognostic factor. Key Points: • The series presented is one of the largest in a single centre. • Arterial embolisation is a life-saving procedure in patients with pelvic haemorrhage. • In pelvic traumas associated with haemorrhage, prognosis is dependent upon prompt treatment. • Transfusion status is significantly related to clinical efficacy.