Transcatheter arterial embolization for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding using imipenem/cilastatin: a single-center retrospective study

Abstract Background Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a standard treatment for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in situations where endoscopic approaches are impossible or ineffective. Various embolic materials, such as metallic coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate, are used. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of an imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) mixture as an embolic agent in TAE for acute LGIB. Results Twelve patients (mean age, 67 years) with LGIB treated with TAE using IPM/CS were retrospectively evaluated between February 2014 and September 2022. All patients showed evidence of extravasation on computed tomography and 50% (6/12) also showed evidence on angiography. The technical success rate for TAE in this study was 100%, including in patients who showed active extravasation on angiography. The clinical success rate was 83.3% (10/12), with two patients experiencing rebleeding within 24 h after the procedure. No ischemic complications were observed, and no bleeding episodes or other complications were reported during the follow-up period. Conclusions This study revealed that using IPM/CS as an embolic agent in TAE for acute LGIB may be safe and effective, even in cases of active bleeding.