GI & Trauma Bleed Embolisation

GI and trauma bleed embolisation is an urgent, image-guided procedure used to stop active, clinically significant bleeding — whether from the gastrointestinal tract or from an injured organ following trauma — without open surgery. In many cases, this offers a faster, less physiologically demanding way to control bleeding than emergency surgical exploration.

How it works

Under X-ray guidance, a catheter is urgently navigated through the arterial system to the specific vessel identified as the source of bleeding — often located first with CT imaging. Once the bleeding point is reached, embolic material — coils, particles, or a temporary gel — is deployed to block that specific vessel, stopping the bleeding while preserving blood flow to the surrounding tissue as much as possible.

What it treats

• Gastrointestinal bleeding — from sources such as diverticular disease, peptic ulcers, tumours, or post-surgical bleeding, when endoscopic treatment isn't possible or hasn't controlled the bleeding
• Trauma-related bleeding — from injury to solid organs such as the spleen, liver, or kidney, or from pelvic fractures
• Post-procedural or post-surgical bleeding — where a specific bleeding vessel can be identified and targeted

Why this approach matters

For patients who are already unwell or unstable — which is often the case with significant GI bleeding or major trauma — avoiding an additional major surgical procedure can be an important advantage. Embolisation can frequently control the bleeding source with a smaller physiological impact than surgical exploration, while still definitively addressing the problem.

Common questions