WHAT IS THE EMBOLISATION PROCEDURE FOR BLEEDING?
Embolisation is a minimally invasive treatment which uses materials to block the affected vessel and so stop bleeding. There are a number of possible causes of bleeding severe enough to require this treatment, including trauma, blood clotting disorders, infections, anatomical defects and tumours
FLUOROSCOPIC GUIDED EMBOLIZATION OF UPPER OR LOWER GI BLEEDING
Benefits of IR guided procedures
81. Rapid relief from symptoms.
82. The imaging techniques allow accurate diagnosis and treatment using cutting-edge equipment. Diagnosis is reconfirmed during procedure.
83. Minimally invasive procedures are performed through a small hole in the skin, minimising the patient’s discomfort and recovery time. There won’t be any scar.
84. Most procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis or require only a short hospital stay. As interventional procedures tend to require only local anaesthesia, hospital stays are very short, with patients frequently going home the day the procedure is performed.
85. Patients who undergo IR procedures experience less pain during and after the procedure than patients undergoing surgical procedures. Post-procedural care is provided, along with follow-up imaging to confirm if the treatment has been successful.
86. Minimal damage to surrounding vital anatomical structures with no significant structural weakness.
87. No or negligible blood loss. No requirement of blood transfusion.
88. Return to work and other normal activities usually within the first few days after the procedure.
89. Low risk compared to surgery. The techniques can be used in very sick patients who are unfit for surgery.
90. Overall procedure is less expensive than surgery or other alternatives.
How will you prepare for procedure:
Note: You will be required to stay in hospital.
• You will have had some blood tests performed before the procedure to check that you do not have an increased risk of bleeding.
• You are asked not to eat for 4-6 hours prior to the procedure. You may drink a little water.
• You will need someone to look after you for 24 hours and drive you home on discharge.
• If you have any allergies or you have previously reacted to intravenous contrast medium, you must let the doctor know. Intravenous contrast medium is the injection we give you during some scans.
• If you are diabetic, please contact IR coordinator at 0328 0177770 for further information
• If you normally take any medication to thin your blood (anticoagulation or antiplatelet drugs) such as: warfarin / clopidogrel / aspirin, dabigatran (Pradaxa) / rivaroxiban (Xarelto) / Apixaban (Eliquis) / phendione / acenocoumarol – then these may need to be stopped or altered. Please contact the contact IR coordinator at 0328 0177770 for further information
