Embolization

What is Embolization

Embolization is a procedure that is done to block one or more blood vessels. This is done by injecting a type of medicine or synthetic material (embolic agent) into an artery or vein through a long, flexible tube (catheter).

The embolic agent stops blood flow through the artery or vein.

This procedure may be done:

  • To stop bleeding inside the body.
  • To cut off the blood supply to a tumor or an abnormal growth of blood vessels.
  • To treat blood vessels that are weak, bulging, leaking, or torn (aneurysm).

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have, especially diabetes or kidney problems.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Infection.
  • Blood clots.
  • Allergic reaction to medicines or dye.
  • Damage to the blood vessel.
  • Kidney damage.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

  • Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

  • 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
  • 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
  • 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

Ask your health care provider about:

  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you take diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your doctor tells you not to.

General instructions

  • You may have blood tests. These tests will check:
    • How well your liver and kidneys are working.
    • Whether your blood clots in the right way.
  • Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during the procedure?

  • To lower your risk of infection:
    • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
    • Your skin will be washed with soap.
    • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
  • An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You will be given one or more of the following:
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
    • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • A needle will be inserted into one of the large blood vessels in your groin (femoral blood vessel).
  • A catheter will be inserted into the needle and guided to the area that needs to be treated.
  • Dye will be injected through the IV tube and X-rays will be taken. This helps to show the exact location of the blood vessels that are causing the problem.
  • The embolic agent will then be injected into the blood vessel.
  • More X-rays will be taken to make sure the blood vessel has been blocked.
  • The catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied to the incision to stop any bleeding.
  • A bandage (dressing) will be applied.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • You will be given medicine to help relieve pain or nausea as needed.
  • You will need to stay lying down until your health care provider says it is safe for you to get up.

Do not drive for 24 hours after the procedure.

Summary

  • Embolization is a procedure that is done to block one or more blood vessels by injecting a type of medicine or synthetic material (embolic agent) into an artery or vein through a long, flexible tube (catheter).
  • During the procedure, dye will be injected through your IV tube and X-rays will be taken. This helps to show the exact location of the blood vessels that are causing the problem.
  • Before the procedure, ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your normal medicines.

Embolization, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is common to have discomfort or bruising at the area where your catheter was inserted (insertion site). 

You may have other symptoms depending on the part of your body that was treated. For example:

  • Embolization of the arteries in the brain may cause a headache.
  • Embolization of the arteries in the stomach may cause loss of appetite or nausea.

Follow these instructions at home:

Insertion Site Care

  • If the site starts to bleed, lie down flat and put pressure on the site. If the bleeding does not stop, get help right away. This is a medical emergency.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your insertion site. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do notremove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
  • You may shower 24–48 hours after the procedure or as told by your health care provider.
    • Gently wash the site with plain soap and water.
    • Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
    • Do notrub the site. This may cause bleeding.
  • Check your insertion site every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • Redness, swelling or pain.
    • Fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

  • Do notlift anything that is heavier than 10 lbs (4.5 kg), or the limit that your health care provider tells you, until he or she says that it is safe.
  • Do notdrive for 24 hours after the procedure.
  • Ask your health care provider:
    • When you may return to your normal activities.
    • When you may resume sexual activity.

Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. You may take showers.

General instructions

  • Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. This helps prevent constipation.
  • Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have redness, swelling, or pain around your insertion site.
  • You have fluid or blood coming from your insertion site.
  • Your insertion site is warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from your insertion site.
  • You have nausea or vomiting.

Get help right away if:

  • The insertion area swells very quickly.
  • The insertion area is bleeding, and the bleeding does not stop after you hold steady pressure on the area.
  • The area near or just beyond the insertion site becomes pale, cool, tingly, or numb.
  • You faint or feel like you might faint.
  • You have chest pain.
  • You have trouble breathing.
  • You feel weak or have trouble moving your arms or legs.
  • You have problems with balance, speech, or vision.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

  • After your procedure, it is common to have discomfort or bruising at the area where your catheter was inserted (insertion site).
  • Do notdrive for 24 hours after the procedure.
  • You should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. This helps prevent constipation.
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