Embolization for acute duodenal hemorrhage

Embolotherapy has controlled hemorrhage from duodenal ulcers in 60% to 100% of patients. Because it has generally been reserved for patients who are bleeding severely and who are not candidates for surgery, these results are all the more remarkable. Mortality and morbidity remain high after emergency surgery for massive duodenal hemorrhage even in those patients who are acceptable surgical candidates. Successful embolotherapy can change an emergency procedure into an elective one, thus reducing complications and mortality. In many cases, surgical intervention to control acute hemorrhage complicating duodenal ulcer has been totally obviated by successful embolotherapy combined with aggressive medical therapy.