Collateral Vessel Closure

Collateral Vessel Closure

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Specialists in our pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory treat collateral vessels using a non-surgical procedure, called cardiac catheterization and specially designed metal coils and plugs. The vessel closure takes about two and a half hours. In most cases, patients go home the same day as the procedure.

During cardiac catheterization, catheters — flexible thin tubes — are inserted into a vein in the leg or neck and threaded through the vein to the heart. Once in the heart, the catheters are used as conduits to place small metal coils or plugs in the collateral vessels. The coil causes a blood clot to form and close the vessel. Over time, tissue grows around the coil, forming a permanent seal.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007