Feasibility of Transtibial Access for Uterine Artery Embolization

Abstract

Ten women with a mean body mass index of 31.5 kg/m2 and symptomatic uterine pathology underwent uterine artery embolization (UAE) via transtibial access (TTA). Nine out of 10 UAEs were successfully performed via TTA, with 2 minor adverse events. Outpatients with leiomyomas had stable to improved symptoms at follow-up; hospitalized patients with abnormal uterine bleeding from malignant tumors or arteriovenous malformations were discharged shortly after UAE with the cessation of hemorrhage. TTA is a feasible alternative for UAE for patients with obesity, diminutive radial arteries, or atherosclerosis that may confer an added risk of rare neurologic adverse events from transradial access.