Effect of Coil Type on the Number of Coils Used and the Procedure Time for Pre-Fontan Coil Embolization of Collateral Arteries.

Purpose: We retrospectively analyzed the effect of coil type on the number of coils used and the procedure time in pre-Fontan coil embolization of collateral arteries.

Material And Methods: Twelve patients with congenital heart disease underwent coil embolization before Fontan surgery between 2010 and 2021. They were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised 6 patients who underwent coil embolization before the introduction of longer microcoils (≥30 cm) and group B comprised 6 patients who underwent embolization after the introduction of the microcoils. The primary endpoints (number of coils used, embolized area per patient and the internal thoracic artery, and procedure time) were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: The number of coils used per patient and internal thoracic artery (groups A vs. B: 36.5 vs. 18; p = 0.036, 11.7 vs 7.4; p = 0.047) and the procedure time (247 vs 180 minutes; p = 0.002) were significantly smaller in group B than in group A. The embolized area per internal thoracic artery was significantly larger in group B than in group A (45 vs. 93.5; p < 0.001). All patients underwent Fontan surgery at a mean of 24 days after embolization. Fontan circulation was established in nine of 12 patients. There were no major complications in either group.

Conclusions: In pre-Fontan coil embolization, a combination of longer microcoils (≥30 cm) may help reduce the number of coils used and the procedure time, which may decrease the health care cost and radiation exposure.