Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute is widely recognized for treatments related to the heart and circulatory systems. See the Cardiovascular Services section for more information and informative articles on cardiovascular health.
For other women's health services offered throughout Baptist Health, click here.
Uterine Artery Embolization
The Institute also helps women avoid hysterectomies through the procedure, Uterine Artery Embolization.
Facts About Uterine Artery Embolization
More than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States and more than one-third are as a result of uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths. Today, women have more options than ever to avoid hysterectomies.
What are uterine fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous (benign) growths that are a common condition affecting 20 to 40 percent of women over the age of 35. African-American women are at higher risk, with as many as 50 percent having fibroids. Fibroids range in size from as tiny as a pea to the size of a cantaloupe.
What are the symptoms associated with fibroids?
If a fibroid remains small, it may not cause any symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with larger fibroids include pelvic pain, heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, abdominal bloating and bladder pressure that causes a frequent urgency to urinate.
What is uterine artery embolization?
Uterine artery embolization, a non-surgical procedure shrinks fibroids by cutting off blood flow. During the procedure, the interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the groin and inserts a thin tube, called a catheter, into the femoral artery. Using X-ray images to "see," the doctor guides the catheter through the artery into the uterus. Small particles the size of sand are then injected into the uterine artery that feeds the fibroid. The particles flow to the fibroid and within minutes, block the blood flow. This causes the fibroid to shrink. The procedure is performed while the patient is awake but sedated. Embolization to stop blood flow has been successfully used for treating problems in other areas of the body for more than 20 years. Studies show that embolization for fibroids is effective in nearly 90 percent of the patients.
How long does the procedure take and how long is the hospital stay?
The outpatient procedure usually takes less than 2 hours to perform. The patient stays overnight in the hospital.
What is the recovery time after the procedure?
After the procedure, patients may experience moderate to severe pain and cramping that usually subsides significantly in 24 hours. In some cases, mild pain may persist for two weeks. Patients may return to normal activities within 48 hours and can go back to work within 5-7 days after the procedure.
To make an appointment
For more information or to make an appointment with a physician call 786-596-7050 or send an e-mail (add link). For a physician referral, use our online request form.