The Description of transcatheter arterial embolization as an alternative treatment in patients admitted with digestive bleeding at the Regional Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández L., January 2024 - June 2025.

Description of transcatheter arterial embolization as an alternative treatment in patients admitted with digestive bleeding at the Regional Hospital Dr. Rafael Hernández L., January 2024 - June 2025.

Abstract

Introduction: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a potentially life-threatening clinical condition and a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative when primary management fails. In Panama, there is currently no published local evidence regarding its clinical outcomes.

Objective: To describe transcatheter arterial embolization as an alternative treatment in patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding at Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Regional Hospital between January 2024 and June 2025.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted through a review of the medical records of patients who underwent TAE as an alternative treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding between January 2024 and June 2025. Gastrointestinal bleeding was confirmed by computed tomography angiography and/or abdominopelvic arteriography. Seventeen patients were initially identified; five were excluded due to portal hypertension-related (variceal) bleeding, resulting in a final sample of 12 patients. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, technical, and outcome variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The predominant age group was 60–79 years (41.7%), with an equal distribution between males and females (6 each). Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent presentation (66.7%), with hemorrhoidal disease as the leading etiology. The superior hemorrhoidal arteries were the most commonly embolized vessels (58.3%). Microspheres were the most frequently used embolic agent (50%). Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases, while clinical success was observed in 83.3%. Rebleeding occurred in two patients (16.7%), one minor vascular access-related complication (8.3%) was documented, and in-hospital mortality was 16.7%, with no deaths directly attributable to the procedure. The median hospital stay was 15 days (IQR: 7–24).

Conclusion: Transcatheter arterial embolization was described as an effective alternative treatment for non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding, achieving a 100% technical success rate, 83.3% clinical success, and a low rate of procedure-related complications in patients treated at Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Regional Hospital between January 2024 and June 2025.