Vascular embolisation

What is a vascular embolisation?

An embolisation is a procedure used to stop the blood flow to a certain part of your body by blocking a small artery or vein. There may be a number of reasons for this. You may be bleeding or losing blood and that needs to be stopped. Another reason is to stop the growth of a tumour in your body. In this case this is usually done before surgery. Sometimes, before we embolise, we inject chemotherapy into the tumour. Any other reasons can be discussed with your doctor.

Risks and benefits

You will benefit from this procedure because it will stop any bleeding without the risks of surgery. It may also help with the treatment of your cancer.

It is likely that you will have some pain after the procedure, as the blood supply is stopped. We will give you medication for this. It is common to have some bruising in your groin after this procedure.

There is a very small risk of bleeding or a reaction to the dye such as nausea or a rash. There is a small risk of infection which may require antibiotics to treat. There is also a small risk of damage to the blood vessel which may require surgery.

We will discuss all of the risks and benefits with you in detail before your procedure.

What happens on the day of my appointment?

You need to fast for 6 hours before the procedure for food and 4 hours for fluid. This is very important otherwise you may not be able to have the procedure. Please take all your medications as usual (except aspirin, warfarin or metformin) and, if you are diabetic, you may take your regular insulin.

Before the procedure

You will be admitted to hospital. On the ward your nurse and doctor will ask you several questions about your health and current medication. Your blood pressure and pulse will also be checked. They will check your results from a recent blood test and ask you to change into a gown.

Your nurse will bring you to the X-ray Department on your bed. In the X-ray Department you will be seen by a doctor—this is an opportunity to discuss the procedure before you sign a consent form. Please ask any questions you may have as it is important that you understand what is going to happen.

During the procedure

In the procedure room you will lie on a special X-ray table. You will be asked to remove your underwear, your groin will be shaved, then cleaned with antiseptic fluid and you will be covered with a sterile drape. The doctor will give you an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the skin in your groin which will cause some stinging initially then go numb.

Throughout the procedure a nurse will monitor your pulse and blood pressure. Please let the nurse know if you feel any discomfort. The procedure should not cause you any pain. The doctor will insert a catheter (fine plastic tube) into your artery. The dye will be injected through this catheter while X-ray pictures are taken.

It is normal to experience a feeling of warmth through your body and a metallic taste in your mouth caused by the dye. We will explain what is happening throughout the procedure. Using the X-ray pictures, the doctor will be able to find the artery that needs embolising and stop the blood flow to that specific area. The procedures can take from 30 minutes to a couple of hours.

After the procedure

You will go back to the ward where your nurse will record your pulse and blood pressure and check your wound site regularly. After two hours they will assist you to sit up and, if there are no concerns after a further two hours, you will be able to get up and walk around. If you feel unwell at any time, please tell your nurse.

Going home

You should be able to go home the day after your embolisation. This depends on when you had your procedure and how well you recover. This will be assessed by your doctor on the ward. 

After you are home

• Please rest quietly at home for the remainder of the day and the following day.
• The waterproof dressing may remain on for 3–4 days—you may only shower during this time.
• You must avoid excessive activity or lifting anything greater than 5 kg (11 lb) for the next 5–7 days. If your job involves heavy manual work, you are advised to take the week off. Please let your nurse know if you need a medical certificate.
• If your job doesn’t involve any manual work or lifting, you can return to work 2 days after the procedure.
• Please contact your GP if you experience any pain on breathing, severe pain in your stomach or a high temperature.

Contact information

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Interventional Radiology Department
1st Floor, Lift Bank D 

T: 020 3315 8570/8582