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Vascular embolisation
A PROCEDURE TO BLOCK BLOOD VESSELS TO A TUMOUR OR TO STOP BLEEDING
Having a vascular embolisation will help to treat cancer or stop bleeding without needing to have surgery
What is a vascular embolisation?
Vascular embolisation can shrink or slow down the growth of a tumour by reducing or blocking its blood supply, depriving it of the oxygen or nutrients it needs to grow.
It can also be used to stop bleeding from a damaged artery or vein, or to block blood supply to a particular part of the body or an organ.
Need to know
The procedure may be performed under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic and sedation. Your consultant radiologist will insert a catheter (a fine plastic tube) into your groin and up into your artery. They'll then inject a dye through the catheter to highlight your blood vessels and take X-ray images.
You may get a warm feeling and a metallic taste in your mouth from the dye. Your consultant will look at the X-ray to see which blood vessels need to be blocked. They will then inject a synthetic material (sometimes called coils) or embolic agent to stop the blood flow through the blood vessel. The procedure can take from 30 minutes up to two hours depending on your blood vessels.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you. They will also explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Make sure you tell them if you take any medicines, particularly blood thinning drugs and if you have any allergies. You may need to have a blood test to check that your blood clots normally.
You should not eat for six hours before having a vascular embolisation. You may drink water for up to two hours before the procedure. You can take all your regular medicines except any which thin your blood.
You will return to your room, where our dedicated nurses will take care of you. You will usually be cared for in hospital overnight following your procedure.
Please ask a friend or family member to take you home, where you'll need to rest for the remainder of the day and the following day. Avoid any excessive activities and do not lift anything heavy for the next five days to a week.
If your job involves heavy manual work, take up to a week off. If you don’t have a manual job, you should be able to return to work after two days. Keep your dressing on for four days.
Paying for medical treatment
You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our world-class facilities.
Our Vascular embolisation locations
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.