Nylon Fibered Versus Non-Fibered Embolization Coils: Comparison in a Swine Model

To determine whether nylon fibers improve the performance of platinum embolization coils in porcine arteries.

Platinum 0.035" embolization coils, both with and without nylon fibers, were used to embolize a total of 24 hindlimb arteries in 6 swine: 12 with fibered coils and 12 with non-fibered coils. Apart from fibers, the coils were identical. Immediate and late results were studied, including number of coils needed to achieve vessel occlusion and durability of occlusion at 1 and 3 months. Arteriographic as well as histopathologic analysis were performed.

A mean of 3.2 (range, 2-4) non-fibered coils was required to achieve occlusion, whereas a mean of 1.3 (range, 1-2) fibered coils achieved occlusion in similarly sized arteries (2.3-3.2-mm diameter, P < .001). The mean percent cross-sectional area occupied by thrombus was greater in arteries with fibered coils than with non-fibered coils at 1 month (63% ± 6% and 48% ± 15%, respectively, P = .03) but not at 3 months (61% ± 6% and 49% ± 15%, respectively, P = .06). Some recanalization was observed at follow-up and did not differ between groups at 1 month (P = .07) or 3 months (P = .22).

Nylon fibers allow significantly fewer embolization coils to achieve acute occlusion of arteries compared to bare metal coils. Both fibered and non-fibered coils showed recanalization at follow-up.