Brain Aneurysm Embolization
Brain Aneurysm Embolization in Thousand Oaks, CA
Receiving a diagnosis of a brain aneurysm is a life-changing event. However, seeking treatment through minimally-invasive brain aneurysm embolization with a highly experienced surgeon reduces your risk of rupture.
Dr. M. Asif Taqi, MD is a quintuple board-certified neurosurgeon with extensive experience and expertise in treating brain aneurysms. As the founder of the Ventura Elvo Score and Medical Director of Neuroscience at both Los Robles Hospital and West Hills Hospital, Dr. Taqi is a leading expert in the treatment and prevention of brain aneurysms.
Dr. Taqi understands the importance of treating a brain aneurysm swiftly and precisely. Personally impacted by the outcome of a brain aneurysm of a family member, Dr. Taqi compassionately takes the time to walk you through the embolization procedure and answer any questions you might have. Contact us today to arrange your consultation in Thousand Oaks or West Hills.
How is brain aneurysm embolization performed?
There was a time when the only option available to brain aneurysm patients was an invasive brain surgery to “clip” the aneurysm. While clipping is still performed for some patients, medical advances have given rise to the safe and highly effective embolization procedure, which allows treatment of the aneurysm without surgical opening of the skull. As the Medical Director of Neuroscience at both Los Robles Hospital and West Hills Hospital and a leading stroke specialist, Dr. Taqi is an expert in treating brain aneurysms to prevent rupture using the embolization procedure.
Embolization of your brain aneurysm is performed endovascularly, which means that Dr. Taqi accesses the aneurysm through your vascular system in a location other than the brain. During the procedure, a catheter is placed into an artery, usually in the groin. Because the arteries all connect, it is possible to push a thin wire through the catheter all the way into the brain aneurysm. This tiny platinum wire is guided into the ballooning portion of the artery, where it is directed to coil up inside the aneurysm. This “coiling” causes the formation of a clot in the space and effectively seals off the aneurysm.
How can I best prepare for my consultation?
The best way to prepare for your consultation with Dr. Taqi is to gather your medical records. Any imaging or scans that you’ve had in the past can be obtained in DVD format, and you should also get any medical notes from your past providers. Also, bring in a list of all of your current medications.
Recovery from brain aneurysm embolization
Because brain aneurysm embolization does not require opening the skull, the recovery from fairly straightforward. Dr. Taqi advises patients who’ve had an embolization to take at least 72 hours off from work, but you may resume driving the day after your surgery. To protect your incision site as it heals, you should refrain from lifting anything greater than 10 pounds until Dr. Taqi clears you, usually within a few weeks of your procedure.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, explore your options by seeking the advice of leading stroke specialist and experienced neurosurgeon, Dr. M. Asif Taqi. Contact us or call 805.242.4884 to schedule your appointment today.
FAQS: Brain Aneurysm Embolization
Coil embolization or endovascular coiling is designed to treat an intracranial aneurysm. This minimally invasive procedure involves Dr. Taqi placing a catheter into an artery, usually in the groin or wrist, and threading it through the body to the aneurysm. Once he is there, he will place platinum coil(s) that will take the shape of the aneurysm into it and prevent it from rupturing.
The coil Dr. Taqi places within the embolism effectively seals off the embolism, meaning no more blood can enter it, thereby reducing the risk of it rupturing as the aneurysm clots. The coil will stay within the aneurysm permanently to ensure blood will not flow into the aneurysm in the future. By causing an aneurysm to clot, the risk of bleeding is greatly reduced since it is cut off from the blood supply.
The only way to really know whether coiling is the right treatment option for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Taqi. Generally, coiling is indicated depending on the anatomy of your aneurysm and where it is in relation to other tissue and blood vessels. Coiling is usually effective on aneurysms with a small opening into the blood vessel.
If the opening to the blood vessel is larger, Dr. Taqi may use stent-assisted coiling to help keep the coil in place. In this procedure, he will place the stent into the aneurysm after the coil to reduce the risk of the coil falling out of the opening and into the blood vessel.
However, if coiling is not right for you, Dr. Taqi will work with you to ensure you receive the safest, most compassionate treatment.
A cerebral angiogram is the imaging technology used during an embolization procedure. An angiogram involves X-rays and contrast that allow Dr. Taqi to see the blood vessels in the brain. Often, angiography is used as both a diagnostic and treatment measure in one appointment.
Most people are able to continue living a normal life after brain aneurysm embolization as their risk of rupture and hemorrhagic stroke is decreased.
If you are looking for help coping with your brain aneurysm and what it may mean for you or a loved one, please visit the Brain Aneurysm Foundation’s page for in-person and online support groups.
You can make certain lifestyle choices to further reduce your risk of rupture. These risk factors that you can control include:
- Don’t smoke. If you need help quitting, please ask for assistance resources.
- Control your blood pressure.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet and engage in a sustainable exercise routine.
While brain aneurysm embolization will reduce your risk of rupture and hemorrhagic stroke, the procedure itself is not without risk. Though rare, you may experience bleeding or loss of blood flow in part of the brain. An additional risk is that you may need another procedure in the future if the aneurysm reopens.
Not all brain aneurysms should be treated through embolization. In some cases, clipping may be more appropriate, and in others, no treatment at all may be advised. With his extensive, specialized training in neurosurgery and stroke prevention, Dr. Taqi will take a number of factors into consideration, such as your overall health status, the size and location of the aneurysm, and any other conditions you might have, in determining the best treatment plan for you.
There are several lifestyle factors that contribute to rupture of a brain aneurysm. To reduce your risk as much as possible, you can refrain from smoking and alcohol use. High blood pressure is often controlled through medications, but you can make improvements to your diet and exercise habits to enhance your cardiovascular condition.
Flow diverters are newer technological advancements that move blood away from the aneurysm and allow treatment of aneurysms that may be particularly large or untreatable with other options. Dr. Taqi will review your records and may do additional studies to determine the best course of action to treat your brain aneurysm.
Most aneurysms can be treated, some can be monitored and don’t need immediate treatment. However, if Dr. Taqi recommends treating your aneurysm, you should. The consequences of not treating your aneurysm could be deadly. Hemorrhagic stroke is an emergency situation that occurs when an intracranial aneurysm ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Intracerebral hemorrhage is the condition of bleeding into the brain. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is the condition wherein an aneurysm has ruptured and bleeds into the space between the brain and the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. By treating the aneurysm early, Dr. Taqi can reduce the risk of experiencing life-altering or life-threatening impacts.