Endovascular embolization
Definition
Endovascular embolization is a medical procedure to treat abnormal blood vessels in the brain and other parts of the body. It is an alternative to open surgery.
Alternative Names
Treatment - endovascular embolism; Coil embolizationDescription
A small surgical cut will be made in the groin area. The health care provider will use a needle to create a hole in the femoral artery, a large blood vessel. Next, a tiny, flexible tube, called a catheter, is passed through the open skin and into the artery. Dye may flow through the catheter so that the artery may be seen on medical images.
While looking at live medical images of the area, the health care provider gently moves the catheter through the blood vessel up to the problem area.
Once the catheter is in place, the health care provider sends small plastic particles, glue, metal coils, foam, or a balloon through it to seal off the bad blood vessel. The sealing material used depends on your individual condition. (If coils are used, it is called coil embolization.) More than one type of material may be used.
Why the Procedure is Performed
The procedure is most often used to treat aneurysms in the brain, but it may be used for other medical conditions, where open surgery is considered risky. The general goal of the treatment is to prevent bleeding in the problem area and reduce the risk of a rupture of a blood vessel.
It may be used to treat:
- Brain aneurysm
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
- Carotid artery cavernous fistula (a problem with the large artery in the neck)
- Certain tumors
Recovery
How fast you recover depends on many things, including your overall health and severity of your medical condition.Outlook (Prognosis)
The procedure can take several hours. You will receive medicine to make you feel sleepy during the procedure.
Afterwards, you will need to rest, and may need to stay in the hospital overnight or longer.
Risks
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to artery
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.