Long-Term Outcome of Transcatheter Embolotherapy for Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Abstract

Transcatheter embolotherapy to treat lower gastrointestinal bleeding is very effective, with a relatively low rebleeding and ischemic complication rate, mostly occurring within the first month after the embolization. Long-term follow-up shows a very low late rebleeding rate, and half of the embolized patients survive more than 5 years. This study shows that the majority of patients presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, unresponsive to endoscopic therapy, do not benefit from transcatheter embolization. In cases of angiography extravasation, a good immediate clinical outcome-defined as high immediate success with acceptable rebleeding-and ischemic complication rate may be obtained.