The coil baffle in the experimental occlusion of large vascular structures

A new method to occlude large vascular systems using a combination of a coil baffle and conventional coil was evaluated in the abdominal aortas of seven dogs. Three types of coil baffles were introduced into the canine abdominal aorta, followed by four to eight coils. Balloon catheters were applied to control the length of the embolus complex in two dogs. All seven dogs had complete aortic occlusion immediately. Six dogs were observed for six weeks; of these four required additional Gelfoam embolization at two weeks. At autopsy, all six dogs had 100% aortic occlusion. The combined use of coil baffle and coil allows occlusion of large vascular systems not feasible for occlusion with the conventional coil alone.