Using Interventional Radiology to Treat Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage ( PPH ) is a serious complication of giving birth that can result in death. Interventional radiology allows for the use of uterine artery embolization and transcatheter arterial embolization to prevent and treat PPH . These procedures are minimally invasive options that use the uterine or internal iliac arteries to place either a balloon or embolic material to stop the bleeding. These techniques also can be used as a preventive treatment for women with known placental abnormalities who are at an increased risk of hemorrhaging. This article discusses causes, early recognition, and treatment of PPH . It also discusses nursing care for patients with PPH and presents a case report describing the use of interventional radiology before cesarean delivery for a patient with placenta accreta.