Presenting features of women with uterine arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the outcome of patients with uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after uterine artery embolization (UAE).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary center of a university hospital.

PATIENT(S): Thirteen patients were referred to a tertiary medical center from primary care facilities with profuse uterine bleeding.

INTERVENTION(S): Uterine artery embolization.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Thirteen patients underwent UAE. Eleven patients had no additional vaginal bleeding, whereas two patients underwent hysterectomy after embolization.

RESULT(S): Twelve patients developed AVMs after induced abortions. One patient had a congenital uterine AVM. Based on the transfer notes, eight cases had incomplete abortions, three cases had dysfunctional uterine bleeding, one case had a molar pregnancy, and one case had a uterine AVM. Two cases underwent hysterectomy after UAE. One patient delivered a healthy baby after bilateral UAE.

CONCLUSION(S): Uterine AVMs should be suspected in patients with abrupt, profuse vaginal bleeding and a medical history of an induced abortion. Primary physicians should consider uterine AVMs with such a medical history. A prompt diagnosis and therapy are essential for favorable outcomes in patients with uterine AVMs.