emboliser

An emboliser is a substance or device used in a medical procedure called embolisation. Embolisation is a minimally invasive technique used to block or reduce blood flow to a specific area of the body. This is often done to treat a variety of conditions, such as bleeding, tumours, or abnormal blood vessels.

Embolising agents can be broadly categorised into particles and coils. Particles can be made from various materials, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or calcium hydroxyapatite, and are delivered through a catheter to occlude small blood vessels. Larger vessels may be blocked using metallic coils that expand within the lumen, promoting clot formation and vessel closure.

The choice of emboliser depends on the size of the vessel to be occluded, the target tissue, and the specific medical condition being treated. For example, in the treatment of a brain aneurysm, platinum coils are often used to fill the aneurysm sac and prevent rupture. In cancer treatment, particles may be used to block blood supply to a tumour, starving it of oxygen and nutrients.

The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists or vascular surgeons who guide a catheter to the target site using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy. Once in position, the emboliser is injected or deployed to achieve the desired occlusion. Embolisation offers an alternative to open surgery for many conditions, often resulting in shorter recovery times and fewer complications.