Treatment of tubal pregnancy by uterine artery perfusion and embolization

Objective: To study the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the treatment for tubal pregnancy by interventional technique of transuterine arterial catheterization perfusion and embolization. Methods: Using modified Seldinger technique, 42 cases of tubal pregnancy received super-selective angiography of uterine artery, followed by perfusion of 50-100 mg methotrexate (MTX) through the catheter and embolization of uterine artery with gelatin sponge. Before and after the procedure, changes of clinical symptoms, physical signs, value of β-hCG and size of pregnancy cyst of patients were studied. Concentrations of MTX in peripheral blood were studied at 0.5, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 hours after the procedure. Results: 38 out of 42 cases were cured with successful rate of 90.5%(38/42). The average time of β-hCG decreasing to normal was 8.26 ± 2.04 days. The concentration of MTX in peripheral blood with 50 mg or 75 mg dosage could not be detected at 36 hours after the procedure but could be detected as 0.01 μmol/L at 48 hours after the procedure with a dosage of 100 mg. Conclusions: It is simple, safe and efficient in performing trans-uterine artery chemo-embolization for therapy of fallopian tubal pregnancy, especially for those who complicated with manipules bleeding and also as the first choice for prevention of high risk massive hemorrhage. (authors)