Detection and Treatment Guide Updated 2017 Detection-and-Treatment-2017 | Page 18

ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT
Endovascular simply means within the blood vessel. Instead of open surgery,
the aneurysm is accessed via a catheter inserted in an artery (usually in the
groin) and treated by inserting various devices (coils, stents, balloons, flow
diversion devices) or liquid agents that prevent blood from flowing into the
aneurysm. Endovascular treatment is also referred to as embolization.
The goal of endovascular therapy is the same as surgical treatment: to prevent
rupture by safely sealing off the aneurysm from its parent artery.
Available since about 1990, endovascular treatment was initially used to treat
aneurysms that could not be treated with surgery. The field has developed
rapidly so that now endovascular treatment is used as the primary treatment
method at many medical centers. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits
of endovascular treatment with you and your family and answer any questions
you may have.
Coiling Procedure
Endovascular treatment of aneurysms is most often performed in an
angiography suite by a specialized team of doctors, nurses, and technologists.
An interventional neuroradiologist or neurosurgeon trained in interventional
neuroradiology is the primary doctor during the procedure.
Prior to the procedure, you will undergo some pre-admission testing (for
example, blood tests, an EKG, and chest X-ray). You may also be put on
medications to prevent small clots during the procedure. During the procedure,
you will be under general anesthesia.
At the time of the procedure, your groin is scrubbed and shaved, usually on
both sides. Sterile drapes and cloths are placed over your body, leaving the
groin area exposed. A small skin incision, measuring approximately 6 mm (a
dime is 18 mm), is made over the artery and a needle is used to puncture the
blood vessel.
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