Does uterine artery embolization increase pregnancy risks?

This retrospective case analysis suggests it may. Investigators from Jefferson Medical College looked at pregnancy outcomes following uterine artery embolization (UAE) and laparoscopic myomectomy in several published studies and found that preterm delivery was more than five times as common after UAE (Odds ratio 5.72, 95% CI 1.50–21.78). Similarly the odds ratio for postpartum hemorrhage after UAE was 10.19 (95% CI 0.88–117.57). The procedure also seemed to increase the threat of spontaneous abortion and malpresentation. But the very wide confidence intervals suggest that individual patients' risks vary widely.

Goldberg J, Pereira L, Berghella V, et al. Pregnancy outcomes following uterine artery embolization versus laparoscopic myomectomy. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103(4 suppl):30S.