Who Should Not Have UFE?

• No fibroid-related symptoms
• Suspicion of malignancy
• Infection or pelvic inflammatory disease
• Pregnant women
• Post-menopausal women

Who is a Potential Candidate for Ufe?

• Women with symptomatic fibroids: heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bulk related symptoms, urinary frequency, pain during intercourse.
• Women for whom myomectomy or hysterectomy has been recommended
• Women who have a desire to preserve their uterus
• Women desiring to avoid major surgery
• Women desiring to maintain fertility, if hysterectomy is the only option

What does the Embolization Look Like?

Drawing of a catheter within the uterine artery and embolization of the arteries that supply the fibroids.

How does UFE Work?

• Inject particles into the ateries that supply the fibroids
• This starves the fibroids by compromising blood flow to fibroids
• Fibroids shrink
• Symptoms are eliminiated or significantly improved for 90% of women

 What is an Angiography Suite?

Using modern state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment, the Interventional Radiologist works in a sterile environment. The suite looks much like an operating room, except that high-tech imaging equipment is used to help guide the doctor.

What Tools do We Use to Guide Us into the Uterine Fibroids?

Angiographic Catheters		Guidewires	Microwires	Embosphere Particles

What Are Uterine Fibroid Embolization's Success Rates?

• 85-90% of women have reported complete or nearly complete improvement of symptoms, especially bleeding.
• 85-90% of women demonstrate on average 50-70% shrinkage in uterine and fibroid volume in 3-12 month follow-up
• over 90% of women reported satisfaction with the procedure

What are the Advantages of UFE?

• Treats all fibroids simultaneously
• Minimally invasive, complications infrequent
• Short recovery period
• No adhesion (scar) formation
• Minimal blood loss. No need for transfusion
• Emotionally, physically and sexually - UFE can have advantage over other treatments

What are the Disadvantages of UFE?

• 10-15% do not respond despite technical success
• Up to 2% of procedures technically unsuccessful
• Pelvic pain or cramping after procedure can remain moderate to severe for several days in a small group of patients.
• 1% chance of serious complication, i.e. hysterectomy
• No tissue obtained for pathologic diagnosis

What are the Risks of UFE?

• Hysterectomy: 1% incidence due to uterine infection or infarction.
• Premature ovarian failure: 10% of patients experience amenorrhea. Most in late 40's.
• Radiation not considered dangerous
• Serious dye allergy is extremely rare
• Catheter related complications are rare in experienced hands

Will UFE Decrease Fertility?

• Conclusive studies with large numbers lacking
• Dozens of reported healthy pregnancies, with no reports of any adverse outcome due to UAE
• If infertility due to fibroids, fertility may improve in select patients after UAE. Research ongoing.
• Women with symptomatic fibroids desiring fertility probably should consider myomectomy first, especially if relatively uncomplicated.