Pronounced: endo-vas-kyoo-lar embo-lie-zay-shun
This is a procedure to fill and/or close blood vessels. This prevents bleeding and rupture. It is an alternative to open surgery.
Endovascular embolization can treat many conditions, including:
Brain Aneurysm
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The procedure can be used alone or with other treatments. It will not fix damaged areas of the brain, but it can improve quality of life by stopping bleeding or preventing rupture.
If you are planning to have this procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, such as:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Talk to your doctor about these risk factors.
Your appointment before the surgery may include:
Also:
Women should let their doctor know if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.
The doctor will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. An IV will be placed in your arm for sedation and anesthesia. The nurse will shave and sterilize the groin area. The catheter will be inserted in this area.
The doctor will make a tiny incision in your groin area to access a vein. The catheter will be placed in the vein and threaded up to the site. A special dye will be given through the catheter. The doctor will be able to see the catheter pathway on a monitor. X-rays will help the doctor find the exact weakened or malformed area.
Once the catheter is in position, medicine, coils, or man-made material will be inserted into the catheter to the site. This will close or fill the blood vessel. Imaging tests will be done to make sure the blood vessels have closed.
The catheter and IV line will be removed. You will lie still for 6-8 hours.
30 minutes or longer—More complex procedures may take several hours.
Pain or soreness after the procedure can be managed with pain medicine.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is two days. If you have any complications, you will need to stay longer.
You may return to regular activities within a week. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
Call for medical help or go to the emergency room right away if any of the following occurs:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation
http://www.bafound.org/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Brain Injury Association of Alberta (BIAA)
http://www.biaa.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/
References:
Center for Vascular Surgery (Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery). Embolizations. Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery website. Available at: http://neuro.wehealny.org/endo/proc_embolizations.asp . Accessed June 2, 2010.
Neff D. Brain Aneurysm. EBSCO Patient Education Reference Center. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16&topicID=1034 . Published May 1, 2010. Accessed June 2, 2010.
Radiological Society of North America. Catheter embolization. Radiological Society of North America website. Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=cathembol . Accessed June 2, 2010.
The Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group. Endovascular (Embolization) Treatment of aneurysms. The Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group website. Available at: http://brainavm.oci.utoronto.ca/malformations/embo_treat_aneurysm_index.htm . Accessed June 2, 2010.
Last reviewed June 2012 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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