Microcatheter embolization of hemorrhages.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of embolotherapy using microcatheters in patients with hemorrhage from various locations. METHODS: Among 29 patients there were 13 with severe epistaxis, 7 with gastrointestinal bleeding, 4 with hemorrhage in the kidney, 4 with bleeding in pelvic organs and 1 with bleeding in the shoulder region. In all cases, a Tracker-18 or Tracker-10 microcatheter was advanced coaxially through a 4.1 Fr guiding catheter in order to reach the bleeding site as distally as possible. Polyvinyl alcohol microparticles and/or platinum microcoils were used as embolic material. RESULTS: The bleeding was stopped in 90% (26 of 29) of cases. In 66% of cases the treatment was curative, in 7% preoperative, and in 17% palliative. There were 3 clinical failures. CONCLUSION: Microcatheter embolization is an effective and safe means of managing different kinds of hemorrhage of various causes from a variety of sites.

Microcatheter embolization of arteriovenous fistulas in the subclavian region. Report on three cases.

PURPOSE: The retrospective evaluation is presented of 3 patients treated with endovascular embolization of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in the subclavian region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three patients, 2 women and one man, were treated endovascularly in local anesthesia using microcatheters and fibered platinum microcoils. Two patients were asymptomatic and one had unexplained chest pain. RESULTS: All 3 AVFs were successfully occluded. One coil slipped through the fistula into the pulmonary circulation but caused no clinical sequelae. CONCLUSION: AVFs in the subclavian region can be treated by using microcatheters and fibered platinum microcoils.