Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of a new endoluminal occlusion device, ArtVentive endoluminal occlusion system (EOS), to occlude the spermatic vein in symptomatic males with varicoceles.
Methods
The ArtVentive EOS device has been developed for percutaneous, peripheral occlusion of the peripheral arterial and venous vasculature. The system is comprised of an implantable occlusion device and a delivery catheter. At present, there are two device sizes: (a) size 1 for target vessels ranging between 3.5 and 5.5 mm in diameter, and (b) size 2 for target vessels 5.5–8.5 mm in diameter. The treatment group included six adult males, ages 22–34 years. Nine target vessels were occluded. A total of 20 devices were implanted in six subjects.
Results
The acute occlusion rate at the end of the procedure was 100 % occurring in nine of nine vessels. The spermatic veins of all patients remained occluded on venography at 30 days follow-up. Pain scores related to varicoceles decreased in five of six patients.
Conclusions
Although we recognize this study is limited, initial experience indicates that the ArtVentive EOS is a safe and effective new device for occlusion of vessels (varicoceles). The device has potential applications in other clinical conditions requiring occlusion of veins or arteries.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barwell R (1885) One hundred cases of varicocele treated by subcutaneous wire loop. Lancet 1:978
Iaccarino V (1977) Trattamento concservativo del varicocele: flebografia selective escleroteral pia delle vene goondiche. Riv Radiol 17:107–117
Lima S, Castro M, Coasta O (1978) A new method for the treatment of varicocele. Andrologia 10:103–106
Solomon R, Schlansky-Goldeberg JA (2006) Perspectives on varicocele management. In: Baum S, Pentecost MJ (eds) Abrams angiography: interventional radiology, 2nd edn. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 776–800
Sigmund G, Bahren W, Gall H et al (1987) Idiopathic varicocele: feasibility of percutaneous sclerotherapy. Radiology 16:161
Pryor JL, Howards SS (1987) Varicocele. Urol Clin N Am 14:449–513
Zuckerman AM, Mitchell SE, Venbrux AC et al (1994) Percutaneous varicocele occlusion: long-term follow-up. J Vasc Interv Radiol 21:517–529
Schlesinger MH, Wilets I, Nagle HM (1994) Treatment outcome after varciorelectomy. A critical analysis. Urol Clin North Am 21:517–529
Vermeulen A, Vandeweghe M (1984) Improved fertility after varicocele correction: fact or fiction? Fertil Steril 42:249–256
Breznik R, Vlaisavljevic V, Borko E (1993) Treatment of varicocele and male fertility. Arch Androl 30:157–160
Nabi G, Asterlings S, Green DR et al (2004) Percutaneous embolization of varcoceles: outcomes and correlation of semen improvement with pregnancy. Urology 63:359–363
Formanek A, Rusnak B et al (1981) Embolization of the spermatic vein for treatment of infertility: a new approach. Radiology 139:315–321
Venbrux AC, Trerotola SO (1994) Transcatheter emboloetherapy of varicoceles. Semin Intervent Radiol 11:305–311
Venbrux AC (1996) Varicoceles: testicular. Venous interventional radiology with clinical perspective. Theime, New York, pp 151–158
Acknowledgement
Conflict of interest
Anthony C. Venbrux: Consultant for ArtVentive Medical Group, Inc.; Leon Rudakov: None; Andre Plass: Consultant for ArtVentive Medical Group, Inc.; Maximilian Y. Emmert: None; Adrian Ebner: None
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Venbrux, A.C., Rudakov, L., Plass, A. et al. A New Occlusion Device: Application of the ArtVentive Endoluminal Occlusion System (EOS)—First in Human Clinical Trial. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 37, 85–93 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0626-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0626-y