Embolization

Embolization is the selective blocking of blood vessels by placing tiny particles in the vessel. Once the particles in place, the blood flow along that vessel is dimished or stopped entirely. Embolization is used for many purposes, such as cutting off the blood supply to malignant tumors or uterine fibroids, or to stop hemorrhaging in the lungs or nasal passages.

The particles are about the size of a grain of sand, and they are made of a plastic substance that is similar to the material used to make hard contact lenses, called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This is a medical-grade material that is FDA approved for embolization and has been used for embolization in the human body for over 20 years.

Embolization is a catheter-based procedure. The catheter is guided via fluoroscopy (live x-ray) to the location to be blocked. The particles are released until the blood flow has been reduced to the appropriate level. The catheter is withdrawn and the procedure is done.

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Embolization

Pulmonary AVM embolization is a procedure that treats arterio-venous malformation (AVM). An AVM is an abnormal collection of blood vessels in the lungs in which oxygenated blood is short circuited directly back to the heart instead of supplying surrounding tissues with oxygen and nutrients. AVMs are congenital, and their cause is unknown.

People who have an AVM may or may not know it. Symptoms may include headaches or seizures, or you may have no symptoms at all. If the AVM is not treated, it can rupture.

AVMs can be treated by embolization, in which tiny polyvinyl particles are released into the blood vessels that compose the AVM and effectively block blood flow to the AVM. As the AVM was not supplying any tissue with nutrients or oxygen, no harm comes from blocking the blood flow.

AVM Embolization is a catheter-based procedure that our doctors perform at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. The procedure takes about an hour and a short hospital stay is expected.

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