Safety and efficacy of transarterial embolization therapy in gastrointestinal system bleeding

Gastrointestinal system (GIS) bleeding is an important reason for hospital admissions with high morbidity and mortality. Patients presenting with GI bleeding should be diagnosed quickly and accurately and their treatment should be started in a timely manner. Transarterial embolization (TAE) emerges as a relatively safe alternative to emergency surgery after endoscopy is not possible or after unsuccessful endoscopic treatment. In this study, clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, radiological (angiographic) findings of patients who underwent transarterial embolization treatment for gastrointestinal system bleeding between 2013 and 2022 at Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcalı Hospital Interventional Radiology Department were retrospectively analyzed and the obtained findings were evaluated together with the literature. Of the 34 patients included in our study, 64,7% (n=22) were male and 35,3% (n=12) were female. It was determined that the age distribution of the patients ranged from 22 to 90 years, and the mean age was 59,94 ± 14,87 years. Considering the diagnosis distribution of the patients included in the study; 58,8% (n=20) had malignancy, 17,6% (n=6) had ulcer, 11,8% (n=4) had post-op hemorrhage, 8,8% (n =3) vascular causes, 2,9% (n=1) were diagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease. Considering the findings of angiographic embolization of the patients; Extravasation was detected with a maximum rate of 76,5% (n=26). It was determined that the coil was used the most in the TAE procedure with a rate of 55,9% (n=19). In our study, it was determined that technical success was achieved in all (n=34; 100,0%) patients who underwent TAE, and clinical success was achieved in 70,6% (n=24) of them. In conclusion, rapid radiological imaging studies and endovascular intervention should be considered in patients with acute GI bleeding that cannot be managed endoscopically to prevent morbidity and mortality. Effective and safe GIS stabilization can be achieved with TAE. Keywords: Gastrointestinal System Bleeding, Endovascular Therapy, Transarterial Embolization, Interventional Radiology