Coils

Coils

This medical device related article is a stub.

Coils are medical devices used in endovascular therapy to treat aneurysms and other vascular abnormalities. They are primarily used in interventional radiology and neurosurgery to occlude blood flow in a targeted area of the vascular system.

History

The development of coils for medical use began in the late 20th century. The first detachable coil system was introduced by Guido Guglielmi in 1990, known as the Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC). This innovation marked a significant advancement in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Mechanism of Action

Coils are inserted into the aneurysm via a catheter that is navigated through the vascular system under fluoroscopic guidance. Once in place, the coil induces thrombosis within the aneurysm, effectively sealing it off from the parent vessel and preventing rupture.

Types of Coils

There are several types of coils used in medical practice, including:

• Detachable Coils: These can be repositioned or removed before final deployment.
• Pushable Coils: These are pushed into place and cannot be repositioned once deployed.
• Hydrogel Coils: These expand upon contact with blood, providing additional volume filling.

Indications

Coils are primarily indicated for the treatment of:

• Intracranial aneurysms
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Fistulas

Procedure

The procedure for coil embolization involves several steps:

1. Access: A femoral artery puncture is typically used to gain access to the vascular system.
2. Navigation: A guidewire and microcatheter are used to navigate to the site of the aneurysm.
3. Deployment: Coils are deployed into the aneurysm sac under fluoroscopic control.
4. Detachment: Detachable coils are released from the delivery system once proper placement is confirmed.

Complications

Potential complications of coil embolization include:

• Thromboembolism
• Aneurysm rupture
• Vasospasm
• Infection

Advantages

Coil embolization offers several advantages over traditional surgical clipping of aneurysms, such as:

• Minimally invasive
• Reduced recovery time
• Lower risk of complications

See Also

• Endovascular coiling
• Neurointerventional surgery
• Interventional neuroradiology

References

• Guglielmi, G., et al. (1991). "Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with electrically detachable coils." Journal of Neurosurgery.
• Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery guidelines.

External Links

• [Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery](https://www.snisonline.org)
• [American Association of Neurological Surgeons](https://www.aans.org)