Endovascular procedures are those performed from inside the blood vessel. Considered minimally invasive, they involve navigating a small catheter (a hollow plastic tube) through the blood vessel to the location of the blockage. The approach offers shorter treatment time, less pain and faster recovery than traditional open surgical procedures.
Brain Embolization for Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) and Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas (dAVFs)Bleeding is a risk of arteriovenous malformation or dural arteriovenous fistula abnormalities of the brain blood vessels. AVMs and dAVFs cause shunting of blood from an artery to a vein, bypassing normal tissue. Endovascular embolization therapy involves injecting a glue-like material into the target vessel to permanently stop blood flow through the abnormality.
Carotid Cavernous Fistula EmbolizationA carotid cavernous fistula is an abnormal connection between the carotid artery and the large cavernous sinus vein, located behind the eye. Like a brain embolization, carotid cavernous fistula embolization can be used to inject a glue-like material that forms a plug to close the fistula.
Last Review Date: Feb. 12, 2013
Online Editor(s): Kathryn Adam