Embolising

Embolising refers to the medical procedure of intentionally blocking a blood vessel, typically an artery, using a special substance. This substance, known as an embolic agent, is delivered through a catheter inserted into the bloodstream and guided to the target vessel. The purpose of embolising is to stop or reduce blood flow to a specific area. This can be done for various reasons, including controlling bleeding, shrinking tumors by depriving them of their blood supply, or treating abnormal blood vessel formations like aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. The embolic agents can be small particles, coils, glues, or even balloons, chosen based on the size and location of the vessel to be occluded. The procedure is minimally invasive, often performed under local anesthesia and sedation. Post-embolisation, patients are monitored for complications, and the effectiveness of the treatment is assessed through imaging. Potential risks include unintended blockage of healthy vessels, pain, and infection.