by Vascular embolization is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat a variety of health conditions by selectively blocking one or more blood vessels. During embolization, interventional radiologists are able to precisely deliver embolic agents or implants into a blood vessel using thin guide wires and catheters inserted through a tiny nick in the skin. By blocking blood flow to an area, embolization can help control dangerous bleeding, eliminate tumors, or relieve pain.
What is Vascular Embolization?
Embolization procedures work by cutting off the blood supply to an abnormality while avoiding open surgery. A small incision is made in the skin, usually in the groin, and thin tubes called catheters are inserted and guided using imaging like x-rays or MRI to target the area of concern such as an artery, vein, or vascular malformation. Once in place, embolic agents – often tiny threads, gelatin sponges, or beads – are deployed through the catheter to gradually fill and plug the blood vessel. By blocking blood flow, the target area is deprived of essential nutrients to stop excessive bleeding or starve a tumor.
Conditions Treated with Embolization
Some common medical conditions that can be treated with embolization include:
Uterine Fibroid Embolization: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus called fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and pressure symptoms. UFE works by blocking the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time and alleviating distressing symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding Embolization: Sources of acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding such as lesions, tears, and vascular abnormalities can pose serious health risks from blood loss. An angiogram precisely locates the source which is then embolized to achieve hemostasis.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Embolization: The most common type of liver cancer, HCC embolization cuts off a tumor’s blood supply to not only stop bleeding from it but also shrink the size of the cancer. This can potentially downstage it to make surgery an option.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Embolization
The key advantage of Vascular Embolization over traditional surgery is that it does not require making large incisions or opening the body cavity. This translates to quicker recovery times, less post-procedure pain, and lower risks of scarring and infection compared to open procedures. Other benefits include:
– Ambulatory procedure – Most patients go home the same day.
– High technical success rates – Interventional radiologists have excellent targeting ability.
– Preservation of organ function – Surrounding healthy tissues are spared from the effects of blocking blood flow.
– Cost-effectiveness – Shorter hospital stays and less use of operating rooms lead to reduced medical costs.
Risks Associated with Embolization
While extremely safe, all medical procedures do carry a small risk of side effects. Potential short-term risks of vascular embolization include bruising or swelling at the catheter entry site, temporary pain or tenderness, nausea, and fever. On rare occasions, complications like infection or allergic reaction to materials may occur. There is also a slight chance the embolic agent could reach unintended branches of the targeted vessel network. Long-term risks are generally low but depend on the specific condition being treated. Close monitoring and follow-up with physicians helps minimize probabilities of complications.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
