Embolization: All You Need to Know

Embolization places synthetic materials or medications known as embolic agents through a catheter into blood vessels to block blood flow to a part of the body. This procedure may also be used to prevent or control abnormal bleeding or eliminate abnormal connections between veins or arteries.

Embolization also helps close off blood vessels supplying blood to a tumor or to treat aneurysms. According to an interventional radiologist in Islamabad, this is an effective way to control unusual or abnormal bleeding in less invasive than open surgery. This procedure is done while preserving normal blood flow in the surrounding parts of the body to keep the tissues healthy while dealing with bleeding.

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Why is the Embolization Procedure Done?

This procedure can be applied to any part of the body to prevent or control abnormal bleeding. Common problems that can be treated through this procedure include:

• Bleeding caused by gastrointestinal tract lesions such as diverticular disease or ulcer. This procedure is the first-line treatment in gastrointestinal bleeding due to any cause.
• Bleeding from a traumatic injury. This is a suitable procedure to control bleeding into the abdomen or pelvis caused by injuries.
• Tumor bleeding, this procedure can be effective in reducing pain associated with tumor bleeding
• Bleeding due to vascular malformations. For instance, abnormal vascular channels can form in between veins and arteries. This procedure can be used to terminate these abnormal connections.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding or long menstrual periods due to uterine fibroid tumors. Embolization may be a good alternative to hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus from the surgical procedure). Fibroids have a large blood supply, this procedure controls and shrinks heavy menstrual bleeding by interrupting the blood supply.
• This procedure decreases the size of tangled non-straight veins to reduce swelling and pain.
• Embolization eliminates arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous malformation.

How can I Prepare for this Procedure?

Before the procedure, your doctor may test your kidney function and determine whether your blood clots are normal or not.

Tell your doctor if you are using any medications or herbal supplements, about recent diseases, and other medical conditions.

Women should always inform their doctor if they are pregnant because doctors will not perform any procedure during pregnancy to avoid exposing the baby to radiation. If x-rays are necessary during pregnancy, the doctor will try to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.

Your doctor will tell you specific instructions like you will not drink or eat anything after midnight before embolization.

How Does an Embolization Work?

An interventional radiologist performs embolization in a room known as the interventional radiology suite. This suite is like an operating room with ultrasound and extra x-ray equipment.

By visualizing the blood vessels, an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into a blood vessel and advances it to the treatment site. A synthetic material, also known as an embolic agent, is then inserted through the catheter and positioned in the blood vessel where it will remain permanently.

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How Long Does This Procedure Take?

It can take thirty minutes to several hours depending on:

• The vessels size to be embolized
• The vessels numbers to be embolized
• How many turns and twists the catheter has to pass to get to the right position
• How far the embolization site is

What are the Benefits of an Embolization?

There are several benefits associated with this Procedure:

• This is an effective procedure to control bleeding in an emergency situation
• Success rate is higher than 85% in females treated with embolization for uterine fibroids
• Surgical incisions are not necessary, only a small nick is enough that does not need stitches
• This method can be effective to treat vascular malformations and tumors that can’t be removed surgically or would involve great surgery
• This procedure is less invasive than open surgeries; and as a result, there are few complications involved in an embolization. Blood loss is very less than conventional surgery and there is no need for obvious surgical incision

What are the Side Effects of This Procedure?

During an embolization, you may experience some discomfort because you have sedation. You may feel sensations like pinching or may have some bruising.

After the procedure, some people may experience pain, and they get proper products to alleviate this pain. You may also experience mild headaches. Most people leave the hospital after a day of getting this procedure.

What are the Risks Associated with an Embolization?

There are also some risks involved in this procedure:

• There are chances of an allergic reaction if this procedure involves an injection of contrast material
• An interventional radiologist inserts a catheter into a blood vessel which involves certain risks. These risks can include damage to the blood vessel or an infection.
• There are slight risks of uterine injury in women
• There are also some risks of kidney damage, especially in diabetic patients

Conclusion

Embolization is an effective way to prevent or control bleeding caused by several medical reasons. This procedure involves fewer risks or side effects as compared to conventional surgery. Therefore, we can say that embolization is a safer way than open surgeries.