A catheter is inserted through a nick in the skin into an artery and advanced to the uterus.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. The size of the fibroids ranges from very small to the size of a cantaloupe. Fibroids may not always cause noticeable symptoms, but they can lead to problems such as pain, pressure and heavy bleeding. Uterine fibroids are very common and typically affect women age 35 and older. African-American women are at a higher risk of developing fibroids. However, only 10 to 20 percent of women who have fibroids require treatment.

• Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots and flooding. This can lead to anemia.
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic pressure or heaviness
• Pain in the back or legs
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate
• Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating

Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecological examination. Although most fibroids do not cause symptoms or need treatment, when symptoms arise, the first step of treatment is drug therapy, such as a prescription for birth control pills, other hormonal therapy, or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.

Additional treatment may be necessary if the medications do not relieve symptoms or the fibroid grows back after therapy is discontinued. There are three common but more invasive options. Removal of the fibroid(s) is called a myomectomy. If the uterus must also be removed then the procedure is a hysterectomy. The third method is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

The major benefit of UFE is that it is a non-operative alternative to a hysterectomy. Many women can resume light activities within a few days and most return to normal activities within one week. UFE is also covered by most major insurance companies.

	Tiny particles pass through the catheter and wedge in the small vessels, blocking the blood flow to the fibroid.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a treatment performed by interventional radiologists, who are physicians specially trained to perform minimally invasive procedures. UFE is performed while the patient is conscious, but sedated to feel no pain, so general anesthesia is not needed. The interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin (less than a 1/8 of an inch) in the groin and inserts a tiny tube called a catheter into an artery. The physician will then inject tiny plastic or gelatin particles the size of a grain of sand into the artery to stop the blood flow, which causes the fibroids to shrink. This procedure typically requires a one-night stay in the hospital, and has been shown to be successful in 85 to 94 percent of women.

Your physician can help you determine which method is best for you. For more clinical information, please contact one of our vascular interventional radiologists, Dr. Katharine Krol or Dr. Kannan Natarajan at info@corvascmds.com, 800.821.6359 or 317.338.6826, 8433 Harcourt Rd., Ste. 300, Indianapolis, IN  46260. 

For general information on UFE, visit www.ask4UFE.com.


Women, Mind Your Hearts

Katharine L. Krol, MD, FSIR, FACR, Director of Interventional Radiology

Although women typically keep close tabs on their husbands heart health, they often ignore their own. Many people don't realize that more women than men die of cardiovascular disease, says Katharine L. Krol, M.D., FSIR, FACR, director of interventional radiology for CorVasc M.D.s in Indianapolis. Fortunately there are ways to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Krol urges women to consult their doctors if they have one or more of the following risk factors: family history of heart or vascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol/lipids, smoking, overweight, diabetes and sedentary lifestyle. Lifestyle modifications alone or with appropriate medication can slow the progression of the disease in many patients, she says.

Nonsurgical Relief From Uterine Fibroids

Pamela, age 45, homemaker and active mom, is able to enjoy bowling with her family since undergoing uterine fibroid embolization by CorVasc radiologists. "I no longer have bleeding or cramping that had been very severe. My quality of life has changed. I can go out in public now."

When then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice was diagnosed with uterine fibroids in 2004, her treatment of choice was a relatively new, nonsurgical procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

"UFE offers less risk, less pain and a quicker recovery than hysterectomy, while preserving the uterus," Dr. Krol says. It's a great treatment for many women including those with multiple fibroids. Some 90 percent of patients experience significant or total relief of heavy bleeding and other symptoms.

Usually performed by an interventional radiologist like Dr. Krol, UFE typically requires an overnight hospital stay, with most women able to return to work in seven to 10 days.

A Longtime Leader in Cardiovascular Care
One of the largest and busiest cardiothoracic and vascular surgical practices in the country, CorVasc is a longtime leader in the field of cardiothoracic and vascular care. It is affiliated with most major hospitals in the Indianapolis area. For more information, call 317-583-7600 or 800-821-6359 or visit corvascmds.com. CorVasc is based at 8433 Harcourt Road, Indianapolis, with seven office sites.

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