A minimally invasive alternative to surgery, embolization is undertaken to prevent blood flow to a specific area of the body. Endovascular coil embolization is a standard treatment for patients who have a brain aneurysm but who are at high risk for complications from the surgical repair of the aneurysm.

In an embolization procedure, a catheter is introduced into a primary artery and advanced to the area where blood supply needs to be halted. Curled metal coils are released through the catheter into the abnormal blood vessels, resulting in clotting and the non-surgical closure of these structures. The materials used may depend on the size and type of area to be closed and whether the occlusion is intended to be temporary or permanent.