Hydrophilic polymer-coated guide wire combined with progressive suppleness pursil catheter for safer, more definitive embolisation of arteriovenous malformations.

For safe, more definitive embolisation of arteriovenous malformations, improved selectivity of the catheter is desirable. This report describes the advantage of the combined use of a progressive suppleness pursil catheter and a hydrophilic polymer-coated guide wire, together with precaution against complications. In 14 patients, 27 vessels were catheterised with this. Chemical embolisation using oestrogen alcohol and polyvinyl acetate was carried out only if sufficiently superselective catheterization was achieved with negative results on a provocation test. Chemical embolisation was successful in 25 vessels, but in three vessels catheterised very distally, it required much more time to withdraw the catheter because of the friction between it and the wall of the vessel.