ABSTRACT
The CHEM SMP foam materials got some attention to be used in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms because of their very unique and appealing characteristics. The combination of all SMP unique properties plus natural CHEM foam porosity, light weight, high full/stowed volume ratio and precision of original shape restoration suggest that CHEM materials have a great potential to be used as an embolic agent and filling material to occlude aneurysms. The chapter provides a brief characterization of CHEM foams, describes their advantages to occlude aneurysms and reviews already-performed CHEM experiments in endovascular interventions of aneurysms with some promising results. The major conclusion of the investigations was that the foamy nature of this new embolic agent favors the ingrowth of cells involved in neointima formation, and new embolic devices for endovascular interventions could be designed using CHEM’s unique physical properties. However, future experimental work needs to be performed to determine the exact CHEM formulation that would permit insertion into small catheters and controlled recovery of a predetermined shape into a specific site.
