What is Emergency Bleeding Embolisation?
Emergency Bleeding Embolisation is a life-saving interventional radiology procedure in which a catheter is rapidly navigated through the arterial system to the precise site of haemorrhage, where embolic material is deployed to stop the bleeding. It can control haemorrhage from virtually any artery in the body including the gastrointestinal tract, pelvis, liver, spleen, kidneys, bronchial arteries, and trauma-injured vessels in situations where surgical control carries prohibitive risk. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia with X-ray guidance, making it available even in critically ill, haemodynamically unstable patients.
Who is this procedure for?
This procedure is used for any patient with active life-threatening arterial haemorrhage that has not responded to conservative management. Common indications include gastrointestinal bleeding (peptic ulcer, Mallory-Weiss tears, diverticular bleeds, post-polypectomy bleeding), haemoptysis from bronchial artery disease, post-partum haemorrhage, trauma-related solid organ injury (liver, spleen, kidney, pelvis), post-procedural or post-surgical arterial bleeding, and tumour-related haemorrhage.
How is the procedure performed?
- Emergency CT angiography is performed rapidly to pinpoint the bleeding source, identify the responsible vessel, and plan the arterial access route.
- Arterial access is obtained via the femoral or radial artery under local anaesthesia a process that takes only minutes.
- The catheter is navigated quickly under fluoroscopic guidance through the aorta to the target bleeding vessel.
- Selective angiography is performed to confirm active extravasation (contrast leaking from the vessel) and define the anatomy.
- Appropriate embolic agents metallic coils, gelatine sponge (Gelfoam), particles, or liquid embolic are chosen and deployed to seal the bleeding vessel.
- Completion angiography confirms successful haemostasis; the catheter is removed and the patient is transferred to intensive care or a monitored ward for observation.
