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Evolution of Embolic Agents in Interventional Neuroradiology

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Abstract

The growth in understanding of the pathophysiological relationships between various neurovascular diseases in the past decades has increased the significance and need for endovascular treatment. Consequently, an extraordinary development of different embolic agents was indispensable. The present work first presents the historical milestones in the discovery of various embolic materials used for neurovascular interventions. In the second part, the current endovascular embolization procedures, requiring both liquid and solid embolic agents, are discussed. In some cases and diseases the combination of both may be mandatory. Special emphasis is placed on the consideration needed when choosing appropriate embolic materials, chiefly depending on the goal of the endovascular procedure. Furthermore, the present understanding of the specifics in angioarchitecture and hemodynamics, leading to the most suitable form of access to the vascular lesion, will be covered. Regarding the latter, it is important to note that the aim should always be to achieve optimal superselectivity while being aware of all approaches, ranging from transarterial and transvenous to direct puncture. Finally, based on the limitations of the currently available embolic materials, we present a brief outlook on the future of new liquid and solid embolic agents.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Jacqueline Dornbusch for carefully reading the manuscript.

Financial Disclosure

The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

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No external funding was secured for this study.

Conflict of Interest

On behalf of both authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Klinikum Duisburg – Sana Kliniken, Zu den Rehwiesen 9, 47055, Duisburg, Germany

    F. Brassel & D. Meila

  2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    D. Meila

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  1. F. Brassel
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  2. D. Meila
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Correspondence to D. Meila.

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Brassel, F., Meila, D. Evolution of Embolic Agents in Interventional Neuroradiology. Clin Neuroradiol 25 (Suppl 2), 333–339 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-015-0419-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-015-0419-6

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