Effect of pelvic artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage on subsequent pregnancies: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Pelvic artery embolization (PAE) is a uterus-saving treatment for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); however, subfertility or abnormal placentation for subsequent pregnancy has been a concern in several previous reports. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PAE on subsequent pregnancies in women with a history of PPH. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on women transferred to the tertiary center for PPH and delivered for the next pregnancy at the same center later. The study group was divided into two groups based on PAE application to treat previous PPH. Of the 62 women included, 66% (41/62) had received PAE for the previous PPH, while 21 had not. Pregnancy outcomes for subsequent pregnancies were compared between the PAE and non-PAE groups. The PAE group had a higher estimated blood loss volume for the present delivery than the non-PAE group (600 vs. 300 mL, = 0.008). The PAE group also demonstrated a higher incidence of placenta previa (4.8% vs. 24.4%, = 0.080) and placenta accreta (0% vs. 14.6%, = 0.082) than the non-PAE group, although the difference was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the use of PAE to treat PPH may increase the risk of bleeding, placenta previa, and placenta accreta spectrum in subsequent pregnancies.