Cardiac arrest due to massive hemorrhage from uterine adenomyosis with leiomyoma successfully treated with damage control resuscitation.

CASE: A 57-year-old woman was transferred to our emergency department by ambulance with cardiopulmonary arrest caused by massive genital bleeding. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including massive transfusion, was carried out and the return of spontaneous circulation was achieved. A giant uterine tumor was considered the source of the bleeding. Although hysterectomy was necessary to achieve definitive hemostasis, the patient was unable to tolerate the operation because of hemodynamic instability, acidosis, and coagulopathy. Therefore, we undertook vaginal gauze packing and uterine artery embolization to attain temporary hemostasis, which resulted in hemodynamic stabilization. Abdominal hysterectomy for definitive hemostasis was carried out 10 h after the embolization.

OUTCOME: The patient made a good post-surgical recovery without any complications.

CONCLUSION: In treating hemorrhagic shock due to uterine leiomyoma, damage-control resuscitation may be useful as a bridge prior to definitive hemostasis through hysterectomy.