ABSTRACT
These devices are designed to occlude blood vessels in various situations (Fig. 1). There are many different scenarios in which coils and/or occlusion devices may be of value. Coiling is sometimes undertaken of a hypervascular tumor prior to removal. Coiling and/or occlusion of the internal iliac artery may be performed on one or both sides prior to abdominal aortic stent graft placement to avoid a type I or major type II endoleak. The internal iliac artery may itself be aneurysmal and require occlusion. Coiling and occlusion devices may be required in all sorts of arrangements in which aneurysm disease is being treated. Coiling is also required whenever there is flow in undesired side branches. When there is an iatrogenic or traumatic event, which creates an unwanted leak or communication between artery and vein, coiling is considered. Available coils are delivered using standard catheters. Larger coils fit through either a standard 4-or 5-Fr angiographic catheter and are 0.035 in. in diameter, the same as a guidewire that would be used for that catheter. The smaller caliber coils for peripheral use fit through a microcatheter of approximately 2.5 Fr and the coils are 0.018 in. in diameter.
