Experimental observations on short and long-term effects of arterial occlusion with Ivalon.

Ivalon sponge has proved to be a useful embolic material, particularly when long-term or permanent occlusions are desirable. It has been stated that Ivalon is well tolerated and that it produces little if any damage to the wall or periadventitial tissues of the embolized artery. Our study demonstrates definite evidence of inflammatory reaction in the wall of the embolized arteries; these changes were seen only in the acute phase and seem to be secondary to damage of the vessel wall by the plastic material. Permanent occlusion results with disappearance of the inflammatory changes at nine months postembolization.