An Overview of Embolic Agents

Abstract

Therapeutic embolization is a common procedure in interventional radiology. A wide variety of agents are available, and each has its own place and use. Additionally, many new agents have appeared on the market in the past several years. The aim of this review article is to give a brief description of available agents, guide appropriate selection, and familiarize the reader regarding appropriate use and limitations.

Splenic artery embolization with Ankaferd blood stopper in a sheep model

“…Inability to attain the desired form due to oversized coil and coil migration due to small size are among the disadvantages of coil embolization. In addition, infection and vessel wall injury can be seen with these agents (15).…”

Efficacy and Safety of Transcatheter Embolization for Hepatic Encephalopathy Caused by Spontaneous Portosystemic Shunts

“…Although a vascular plug is relatively expensive, it may reduce the number of coils needed, thereby potentially saving both time and reducing costs [28]. Hence, plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) is a therapeutic option for HE caused by portosystemic shunts [30,31].…”

“…Vascular plugs are vascular devices made of expandable nitinol wire mesh [28]. Although a vascular plug is relatively expensive, it may reduce the number of coils needed, thereby potentially saving both time and reducing costs [28].…”

“…Metallic coils have a variety of shapes, lengths, and diameters and are made of steel or platinum [28]. In order to insert a coil at a particular place, pushable or detachable coils have been invented [29].…”

Is Pre-Operative Angio-Embolisation an Effective Modality to Control Intraoperative Blood Loss in Extremity Bone Tumors?

“…Relatively larger particulate agents like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Gel foam do not penetrate deeper regions of the tumor but are less likely to cause damage to adjacent normal tissues (1,7,8) . Liquid embolic agents such as acrylic or ethanol and powdered particulate materials can penetrate the smallest of blood vessels but can also damage normal tissues extensively if the vessel identification is faulty (7,8,9) . The basic premise in trans-arterial embolization is occlusion of most of the capillary bed of the tumor.…”