Chronic vascular reactions to steel coil occlusion devices

Original Gianturco steel coil vascular embolization devices and two modifications were compared for their occlusive effects and for the degree of adverse reaction in the surrounding vessel wall. Modifications consisted of silk or Ivalon replacing the wool strands of the original device. Single coils were placed into the left renal artery of nine mixed breed swine and restudied 3 months later. The bare coils did not occlude the vessels nor lead to significant foreign body reaction. Wool, silk, and Ivalon coils produced prompt and sustained renal artery occlusion. Upon histologic examination of the vessel wall, foreign body and chronic inflammatory reaction was found to be strongest against wool. This reaction was less with silk and markedly diminished with Ivalon. The results indicate that silk and Ivalon coils, while having the same occlusive effect, are preferable to wool coils if less local reaction is desired.