Definition

Endovascular coil embolization is a procedure to fill or close blood vessels. This prevents bleeding and rupture. It is an alternative to open surgery.

Reasons for Procedure

Endovascular embolization can treat many conditions such as:

• Brain aneurysm —a weakened blood vessel in the brain that collects blood and can bleed
• Splenic artery aneurysm—a weakened blood vessel that may cause the spleen to rupture
• Vascular malformations —abnormal connections between arteries and veins
• Tumors
• Gastrointestinal tract bleeding
• Uterine fibroids
• Varicocele
• Varicose veins

Brain Aneurysm Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will talk about possible problems such as:

• General:
  • Problems from anesthesia or imaging contrast dye
  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Damage to other organs or structures
• Treating brain lesions may cause:
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling
  • Problems with speech, vision, thinking, or memory
  • Seizures

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

• Smoking
• Long-term diseases such as high blood pressure and obesity

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you have:

• Fever or chills
• Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• Lasting nausea or vomiting
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines
• Problems with thinking, balance, or movement
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling
• Headaches, fainting, vision problems, or problems passing urine or stool (poop)
• Pain, swelling, or cramping in your legs

Call for medical help right away for:

• Seizures
• Problems breathing
• Chest pain

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.