Transhepatic obliteration of esophageal varices using the stainless steel coil.

Coronary veins in seven of eight patients with bleeding esophageal varices were successfully catheterized and embolized with Gelfoam followed by multiple steel coils. Bleeding immediately ceased in all seven, but recurred within 1 month in six. One had not rebled on 3 month follow-up. Therefore, steel coils do not prevent recurrent bleeding any more effectively than other embolic materials used for this purpose.