Embolization at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
Embolization is a therapeutic procedure that doctors use to cut off the blood supply to part of an artery or blood vessel. It’s most commonly used to treat vascular conditions, such as aneurysm, internal bleeding, or abnormal blood vessels. During embolization, doctors use chemicals, metal coils, or tiny spheres, and glue to prevent blood from flowing through the artery. If blood does not flow through the vessel, it eventually shrinks and disappears.
Endovascular embolization is most commonly used type of embolization to stop blood flow to an aneurysm or abnormal artery anywhere in the body, including the brain.
An embolization may be an option for your vascular condition. The expert doctors at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals can help you decide if this treatment is right for you. Find a neurosurgeon to learn more about embolization in the Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.
Why is Embolization Necessary?
Embolization is a therapy for a variety of conditions. Often, it takes the place of open surgery to stop life-threatening bleeding. Doctors perform embolization to:
- Treat a weakness in a blood vessel wall, such as a brain aneurysm, to reduce the risk of bleeding
- Stop internal bleeding from an injury such as damage to the arteries supplying the kidneys
- Block blood vessels supplying blood to a tumor, which will slow or stop tumor growth
- Close off abnormal blood vessels
- Reduce heavy menstrual flow due to uterine fibroids
Your Embolization Procedure in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure. A specialist called an interventional radiologist performs embolization. The radiology team uses an X-ray machine to see your blood vessels during the procedure.
A nurse will start an intravenous (IV) line and give you a sedative to help you relax. The radiologist creates a tiny incision near an artery, often in the groin, and inserts a catheter (narrow tube). The radiologist injects a contrast dye through the catheter, which makes your blood vessels show up on the X-rays. The catheter is then threaded through the vessel to the target area.
The material used for the embolization is delivered through the catheter to the target area. More X-rays show the radiologist if the embolization is complete and bleeding has stopped. Once this has been confirmed, the catheter is removed.
Embolization Recovery
The interventional radiology team will care for you after the procedure. They will apply a pressure dressing over the incision to stop bleeding and move you to a recovery room. You will stay there until the sedation or anesthesia wears off. You may need an overnight stay in the hospital for extra monitoring, depending on your condition.
Your doctor will let you know if you have any restrictions and when you may return to work after your procedure. You will have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to review any further treatment.
Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals provides neurosurgery and procedures, such as embolization, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.