The role of arterial embolization in controlling pelvic fracture haemorrhage: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of emergency transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in controlling retroperitoneal arterial haemorrhage associated with unstable pelvic fractures.

Methods: A systematic review of the English literature yielded 21 eligible studies published from 1979 to 2010. Evaluation of clinical and methodological heterogeneity was based on recording certain descriptive characteristics in the component studies. Statistical heterogeneity was detected using Cochran chi-square and I square tests and, when absent, a pooled estimate of effect size for each outcome of interest was calculated. The principal outcomes of interest were efficacy rate of TAE to control intrapelvic bleeding, mortality rates and frequency of associated complications.

Results: All component studies were assigned a low to moderate quality score. Methodological and clinical heterogeneity was evident across component studies, but not strongly associated with the observed results. The efficacy rate of TAE ranged from 81 to 100%, while the frequency of repeat TAE for effective control of haemorrhage was 10% (95% CI: 7-13%, range: 0-19%). TAE was associated with an overall mortality ranging from 7 to 47%, and a 0-25% mortality due to intrapelvic bleeding (pooled estimate of effect size: 6%, 95% CI: 4-8%). A very low rate of associated complications were recorded in the component studies (pooled estimate of effect size: 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.1-2.1%).

Conclusion: TAE is an efficient acute intervention for controlling severe arterial bleeding related to pelvic trauma with a low complication rate. Repeat of the procedure is occasionally necessary before the effective haemorrhage control.