Therapeutic blockade of arteries using compressed Ivalon.

A new technique for embolization with compressed Ivalon plugs is described. Fourteen arteries--six renal, three splenic, two pulmonary, one left gastric, and two abdominal aortas--were occluded in six dogs. In one case of renal artery embolization, three plugs were used, and in one case of abdominal aorta embolization, two were needed for total occlusion. In all other cases only one plug was used. Total occlusion was angiographically demonstrated up to five months following embolization in all but one case. In this case, recanalization was thought to have occurred because of overcompression of the Ivalon plug.