To investigate the effect and safety of embolization or infusion therapy by micro-catheter for acute arterial gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

From January 2010 to December 2016, 21 patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were performed by interventional therapy. 17 patients were treated with super-selective embolization and 4 with infusion of vasopressin by micro-catheter. The embolic material included microcoils, gelatin sponge and PVA particles.

Among the 21 patients, the DSA examination positive rate was 71.4% (15/21). Of the 17 patients who were treated with the implementation of endovascular embolization by micro-catheter, the bleeding was stopped in 13 cases, a reduction of the amount of bleeding was observed in the other 4 cases. Of the 4 patients who received micro-catheter infusion of vasopressin treatment, the amount of bleeding reduced in 2 cases while the other 2 showed no improvement. As such, the total efficiency of both procedures was 90.5% (19/21). All patients showed no serious complications of gastrointestinal necrosis.

The embolization or infusion by micro-catheter offers a safe and effective therapy for patients with refractory gastrointestinal arterial bleeding.