Endovascular interventional modalities for haemorrhage control in abnormal placental implantation deliveries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To examine the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of endovascular interventional modalities for haemorrhage control in abnormal placentation deliveries.

MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from inception to July 2017. Blood loss volume was regarded as the primary endpoint. Other important results are described. Random and fixed effects models were used for the meta-analysis.

Of 385 studies identified, 69 (1,811 patients, mean age 32.9 years, range 23–39 years) were included. Mean gestational age at delivery was 35.1 weeks (range 27–38 weeks). Of 1,395 patients who underwent endovascular intervention, 587 (42%) had placenta accreta, 254 (18%) placenta increta and 313 (22%) placenta percreta. Prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries (PBOIIA) was performed in 470 patients (33.6%), of the abdominal aorta (PBOAA) in 460 patients (33%), of the uterine artery (PBOUA) in 181 patients (13%), and of the common iliac arteries (PBOCIA) in 21 patients (1.5%). Primary embolization of the UA was performed in 246 patients (18%), of the pelvic collateral arteries in 12 patients (0.9%), and of the anterior division of the IIA in 5 patients (0.3%). Follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 42 months. Endovascular intervention was associated with less blood loss than no endovascular intervention (p < 0.001) with the lowest blood loss volume in patients who underwent PBOAA (p < 0.001). PBOAA was associated with a lower rate of hysterectomy (p = 0.030). Endovascular intervention did not result in increases in operative time or hospital stay.

Endovascular intervention is effective in controlling haemorrhage in abnormal placentation deliveries. PBOAA was associated with a lower rate of hysterectomy and less blood loss than other modalities.