The vascular impact of uterine artery embolization: Prospective sonographic assessment of ovarian arterial circulation

R. K. Ryu*, H. B. Chrisman, R. A. Omary, S. Miljkovic, Jr Nemcek A.A., M. B. Saker, S. Resnick, J. Carr, R. L. Vogelzang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The etiology of premature ovarian failure after uterine artery embolization (UAE) is unknown. The authors prospectively assessed ovarian arterial circulation before and after UAE with use of ultrasonography (US). The authors hypothesize that nontarget embolization of the ovary occurs during routine UAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three women (mean age of 42.6 years; range, 35-51 y) participated in the study. Grayscale, color, and pulsed-wave Doppler US studies were performed immediately before and after UAE. Resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were calculated. The proportion of women who developed increased vascular impedance after UAE was statistically assessed with use of the Yates-corrected X2 test. RESULTS: Seventeen of 23 patients (74%) completed the study. Nine of 17 (54%) showed complete loss of ovarian arterial perfusion after UAE. Six of 17 (35%) had increases in RI and PI, whereas two of 17 (11%) had decreases in RI and PI. The increase in vascular impedance after UAE in 15 of 17 patients was significant (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Loss of detectable ovarian arterial perfusion occurs in the majority of patients undergoing UAE. Ovarian vascular impedance increases in nearly all patients as a result of UAE. The authors conclude that inadvertent nontarget embolization of the ovarian arterial bed occurs during routine UAE.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1071-1074
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Volume12
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2001

Keywords

  • Blood supply
  • Embolization
  • Ovary
  • Uterine arteries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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