Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Micorvascular Occlusion

(Endovascular Coil Embolization)

How to Say It: my-CROW-vas-q-lar oh-CLUE-shun

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Definition

Endovascular coil embolization is a procedure to treat an aneurysm. It uses a metal coil to prevent bleeding or a rupture. It may also fix a ruptured aneurysm.

This may also be called endovascular coil embolization.

Reasons for Procedure

Endovascular coil embolization prevents a brain aneurysm from causing more damage. It will not fix damaged areas of the brain. But, it can improve quality of life by stopping bleeding.

Brain Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a weakened blood vessel in the brain that collects blood. The bulging, blood-filled pocket can put pressure on parts of the brain, pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause symptoms or cause the blood vessel to rupture (hemorrhage).

Possible Complications

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

Problems from anesthesia
Infection
Blood clots
Damage to other organs or structures
Stroke
Seizures, confusion, memory loss

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

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

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The care team may meet with you to talk about:

Anesthesia options
Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Whether you need a ride to and from surgery
Tests that will need to be done before the procedure

Anesthesia

The doctor will give local anesthesia—the area will be numbed. You may have medicine to help you relax.

Description of the Procedure

An incision will be made near the groin or upper thigh. A thin, hollow tube will be inserted into the artery wall. The tube is used to guide a wire. The wire goes through the artery to the brain. X-rays will be used to direct the tube to the aneurysm. A dye is placed to outline the aneurysm. A smaller tube with platinum coils will be moved to the site. The coils fill and block the aneurysm.

The catheter will be taken out. The incision will be closed and bandaged.

How Long Will It Take?

1 to 2 hours, maybe more

Will It Hurt?

There may be some pain and discomfort after the procedure. It can be managed with medicine.

Average Hospital Stay

Normally, the length of stay is 1 to 2 days. If there are problems you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

During your stay, the healthcare staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered.

There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
Not letting others touch your incision

At Home

Recovery may take 3 to 6 weeks. Some activities may be limited during this time. You may also need physical therapy.

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.

RESOURCES:

Brain Aneurysm Foundation
https://www.bafound.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
https://www.ninds.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Brain Injury Canada
https://www.braininjurycanada.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation
http://www.heartandstroke.ca

References:

Cerebral aneurysm. American Association of Neurological Surgeons website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 3, 2021.

Rinkel GJE. Management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019;32(1):49-53.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/subarachnoid-hemorrhage. Accessed September 3, 2021.

Treatment of brain aneurysm. The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 3, 2021.

Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA
Last Updated: 9/3/2021

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