Endovascular Procedure
catheter is inserted into the femoral artery
(a larger artery in the groin). The catheter is
guided up through the artery to the brain.
• Contrast medium (x-ray dye) is injected
through the catheter. This helps the artery
and catheter show up better on x-rays. The
movement of the catheter to the aneurysm
can then be watched on a video monitor.
• The catheter is used to place thin coils of
platinum into the aneurysm. These coils
cause a blood clot to form in the aneurysm.
This clot seals the aneurysm and prevents it
from bleeding.
An endovascular procedure may be best for
some aneurysms. This is done in an x-ray lab
by a specially trained doctor (interventional
neuroradiologist). Anesthesia is given
to block pain. Then a catheter is guided
through the arteries from the groin to the
brain. Platinum coils are released into the
aneurysm. The coils cause a blood clot to
form in the aneurysm, which seals it off.
Although this is a very effective and less risky
approach to treating aneurysms than open
surgery, there is a slightly greater risk of the
aneurysm reforming.
After the Procedure
Risk and Complications
• Blood clots
• Brain swelling or bleeding
• Weakness, paralysis, or loss of vision
• Confusion, loss of speech, loss of memory
• Infection
• Vasospasm
• Seizures (jerking or abnormal movements,
loss of consciousness)
• Hydrocephalus
• Death
The patient needs to lie still for several hours
after the procedure. Once stable, the patient
will return to a regular hospital room. He or
she may stay 1 to 4 weeks in the hospital.
This depends on the amount of damage
caused by the aneurysm. During this time,
the healthcare team will monitor how well
the treatment has worked. This includes
certain follow-up tests, sometimes including
a repeat arteriogram (imaging test of the
arteries in the brain).
Embolization for Brain
Aneurysm
Potential Risks and Complications
• Infection or bruising around the catheter
insertion site
• Swelling or bleeding in the brain
• Temporary or permanent neurologic
problems including weakness, paralysis,
loss of vision, confusion, loss of speech,
loss of memory
• Problems due to contrast medium,
including allergic reaction or kidney
damage
• Blood clots
• Damage to an artery
• Seizures
• Death
A brain aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in
the wall of a brain artery. If this aneurysm
ruptures and bleeds, nearby brain tissues
may be damaged. This can be very serious:
it can cause a stroke and may even be fatal.
To prevent bleeding, treatment may need
to be started as soon as possible. For some
aneurysms, a treatment called cerebral
embolization is recommended. Embolization
for a brain aneurysm is done by an x-ray
lab by a specially-trained doctor called an
interventional neuroradiologist.
During the Procedure
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