Management of Intrauterine Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in 14 Patients by Sonographically Guided Tisseel Application

Abstract

Purpose AVMs are rare tumorous vascular lesions derived from placental tissue that may present with massive post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) causing potentially life-threatening anemic shock. Current treatment options include the embolization of uterine arteries and emergency postpartum hysterectomy. We present a new form of minimally invasive, highly specific sonographically guided treatment in the form of the application of a human fibrin sealant leading to the instant cease of blood loss.

Materials and Methods A management protocol was established and a case series of 14 patients is presented. Diagnosis by endovaginal color Doppler sonography is followed by the sonographically guided application of biological glue (TISSEEL^®), thus allowing for super-selective occlusion of the feeding vessels.

Results The procedure was technically successful in all 14 patients, 3 of whom (21 %) had a repeated procedure after 4 – 7 days. The mean age (yrs.) of the patients was 31 (25 – 40), the gravity was median 2 (1 – 5) and the parity was median 1 (0 – 4), the lowest Hb value was on average 9.35 ± 2.25 (5.2 – 14.2) g/dl, the lowest Ht was on average 30.82 ± 6.02 (18 – 41 %). Spectral Doppler analysis revealed an average of 80.71 ± 11.2 (66 – 115) cm/sec for the maximal detectable PSV. In the period of 4 – 55 months after treatment, 7 patients (50 %) had 8 successful pregnancies and 2 miscarriages.

Conclusion In PPH there is vital interest in timely diagnosis of the underlying cause, thus allowing fertility-sparing, minimally invasive and super-selective emergency treatment. In AVMs causing PPH, a positive impact on perinatal morbidity and mortality may be achieved by sonographically guided application of this biological glue.

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung Arterio-venöse Malformationen (AVM) sind seltene Gefäßfehlbildungen ausgehend von Resten plazentaren Gewebes, die zu lebensbedrohlichen Blutungen in Form von massiven postpartalen Hämorrhagien (PPH), führen können. Embolisation der uterinen Gefäße oder aber einer notfallmäßigen Hysterektomie sind derzeit therapeutische Optionen. Wir präsentieren eine innovative, minimal-invasive Therapie mittels ultraschallgesteuerter, superselektiver Injektion eines Fibrinklebers, die zu einer unmittelbaren Blutstillung führt.

Material und Methoden Ein Standart zum Management von intrauterinen AVM wurde erstellt und eine Fallserie von 14 Patienten wird präsentiert. Nach Diagnostik durch vaginale Farb-Doppler Sonografie erfolgt die Applikation eines biologischen zwei-Komponenten Gewebekleber unter Ultraschallkontrolle. Der Gewebekleber, gewonnen aus tiefgefrorenem, gepooltem, humanem Frischplasma, beinhaltet eine Mischung aus konzentriertem Fibrinogen, Fibronectin und Albumin. Die verwendete Thrombin-Lösung enthält Calciumchlorid. Durch diese beiden Komponenten wird eine superselektive Okklusion der zuführenden Gefäße zur AVM erreicht und das Restgewebe kann durch Abrasio und/oder Hysteroskopie entfernt werden.

Ergebnisse Die Behandlung konnte in allen 14 Patienten erfolgreich durchgeführt werden, in 3 (21 %) Patienten musste der Eingriff innerhalb von 4 – 7 Tagen wiederholt werden. Das mittlere Alter der Patienten war 31 (25 – 40) Jahre, die Gravidität war median 2 (1 – 5) und die Parität median 1 (0 – 4). Der niedrigste Hb-Wert war im Mittel 9,35 ± 2,25, (5,2 – 14,2) g/dl, der niedrigste Hk-Wert war im Mittel 30,82 ± 6,02 (18 – 41)%. Spektral Doppler Analyse eine maximal nachweisbare PSV von 80,71 ± 11,2 (66 – 115) cm/sec. Im Abstand von 4 – 55 Monaten nach der Behandlung hatten 7 Patienten (50 %) eine erfolgreiche Schwangerschaft, wovon eine eine monochoriale Zwillingsschwangerschaft war. Zwei Patienten hatte eine frühe Fehlgeburt im ersten Trimenon.

Schlussfolgerung Beim Auftreten einer PPH besteht die lebenswichtige Notwendigkeit einer zeitnahen Diagnostik, so dass noch rechtzeitig minimal invasive und superselektive Therapiemaßnahmen ergriffen werden können, um somit die perinatale Morbidität und Mortalität zu senken. Die Applikation eines biologischen zwei-Komponenten Gewebekleber unter Ultraschallkontrolle könnte die Rate an anämisierenden Metrorrhagien senken.

Key words

uterus - AVM - ultrasound - treatment effects - hemorrhage

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