Embolisation to control bleeding (Therapeutic arterial embolisation for haemorrhage)
A keyhole, image-guided procedure that blocks a bleeding blood vessel from the inside using tiny coils, particles, plugs or glue, often used urgently to stop dangerous bleeding without open surgery.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- Embolisation stops bleeding by blocking the responsible vessel from inside, using coils, particles, a plug or glue passed through a fine tube.
- It is often urgent or an emergency and can be life-saving, avoiding a major open operation.
- Access is through a small artery puncture under local anaesthetic, not a big surgical incision.
- It controls the bleeding but does not cure the underlying cause, and a small amount of normal tissue can sometimes be affected.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your radiologist will give you advice for your situation.
Can stop dangerous or life-threatening bleeding quickly
When the bleeding vessel cannot be safely reached or blocking it would cut off vital blood supply to an organ.
You are awake with sedation, or asleep under general anaesthetic. The puncture is numb; you may feel pressure and a warm flush from the dye.
Close monitoring after the procedure for returning bleeding and for the treated area.
You are awake with sedation, or asleep under general anaesthetic. The puncture is numb; you may feel pressure and...
You lie still so the artery puncture seals. Staff watch the site, your pulse, blood pressure and the treated area...
Pain or cramping in the treated area and a flu-like feeling are common when a larger area was blocked. Pain relief...
Recovery depends on the cause of the bleeding and any other treatment needed. The puncture-site bruising fades...
What is embolisation to control bleeding?
Embolisation is a keyhole procedure that blocks a blood vessel from the inside to stop it bleeding. An interventional radiologist makes a small puncture in an artery, usually at the top of the leg or the wrist, and passes a very fine tube called a catheter through the body to the bleeding vessel, guided by X-ray pictures and dye. Once the catheter is in the right place, the vessel is blocked with tiny metal coils, small particles, a plug or a special glue.
It is often done urgently, and sometimes as an emergency, to control bleeding that could be dangerous or life-threatening, for example after an injury, after childbirth, from a stomach or bowel ulcer, from the kidney, or from a tumour. It can be life-saving and can avoid a major open operation.
There is no large surgical cut, only a small skin puncture numbed with local anaesthetic. Because some of the normal blood supply may also be blocked, your team weighs up the bleeding against the small risk of affecting nearby healthy tissue. The procedure controls the bleeding; it does not by itself cure the underlying problem that caused it, which still needs treating.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Options at a glance
These are the main approaches described in this guide. The right option depends on the diagnosis, your goals and what your clinician thinks is safe.
Coil embolisation
Tiny soft metal coils are placed in the vessel; the body clots around them to seal it. Often used for a single clearly seen bleeding point or an aneurysm.
Particle embolisation
Very small particles are injected to block many tiny vessels, useful when bleeding comes from a network of small vessels, such as in a tumour or after injury.
Plug embolisation
A small mesh plug is placed to block a larger vessel quickly and precisely.
Glue or liquid embolisation
A medical glue or liquid agent is injected that sets inside the vessel; used for certain abnormal or hard-to-reach vessels.
Preparing for your procedure
- In an emergency there may be little time to prepare; the team will explain what they can while treating you, and consent may be taken quickly.
- For planned cases, tell the team about allergies, especially to contrast dye, and about asthma.
- Tell them about kidney problems and diabetes, as the dye passes through the kidneys.
- List all medicines, including blood thinners, as the team will balance bleeding against clotting.
- Blood tests for clotting and a cross-match are usually done, and a drip is placed in case fluids or blood are needed.
- You may be asked not to eat for a few hours if sedation or general anaesthetic is planned.
- Tell the team if you are or might be pregnant, as the procedure uses X-rays.
What happens
You lie on an X-ray table and the skin over the wrist or groin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. You may be given sedation, or a general anaesthetic if you are very unwell or it is an emergency. The radiologist punctures the artery and passes a fine catheter through the body towards the bleeding area, watching on a screen.
Dye is injected to find exactly where the bleeding is coming from. The catheter is guided as close as possible to the bleeding vessel, and coils, particles, a plug or glue are then released to block it. More dye is injected to confirm the bleeding has stopped.
At the end the catheter is removed and the puncture is pressed firmly or sealed to stop bleeding. You then lie still for several hours. Because the bleeding usually has a serious underlying cause, you are normally admitted afterwards for monitoring and further treatment.
Is this procedure right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- When the bleeding vessel cannot be safely reached or blocking it would cut off vital blood supply to an organ.
- A severe, unmanaged contrast dye allergy where embolisation is not essential.
- Severe kidney impairment where the dye load could cause serious harm, if there is a safer option.
- When open surgery is clearly the faster or safer way to control the bleeding.
Delay or rearrange if…
- There is no time-critical bleeding and an underlying issue can be optimised first (planned cases only).
- You might be pregnant, as the procedure uses X-ray radiation (balanced against the urgency).
- Clotting is severely deranged and can be corrected before a planned procedure.
- Key results, such as imaging showing the source of bleeding, are missing in a non-urgent case.
Alternatives to discuss
- Open or keyhole surgery to control the bleeding.
- Endoscopic treatment for bleeding in the stomach or bowel.
- Drugs and blood products to support clotting while the cause is treated.
- Watchful waiting with close monitoring if bleeding is minor and settling.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Comfort, sedation or contrast choices
If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.
Benefits
- Can stop dangerous or life-threatening bleeding quickly
- Avoids a major open operation and a large surgical wound in many cases
- Can reach bleeding deep inside the body that would be hard to operate on
- Often allows a faster recovery than open surgery for the same problem
- Can be repeated if bleeding recurs, and can buy time before other treatment
Risks & complications
- Bruising, soreness or a small lump of blood at the puncture site
- Pain or cramping in the treated area for a few days as the blocked tissue settles
- A flu-like reaction with mild fever, aches and feeling unwell (post-embolisation syndrome) when a larger area is treated
- A larger collection of blood at the puncture site needing pressure or a small repair
- A mild allergic reaction to the dye, or temporary kidney upset from it
- The bleeding continuing or returning, needing a repeat embolisation or surgery
- Infection in the treated tissue, sometimes forming an abscess
- Blockage of the wrong vessel, damaging nearby healthy tissue (non-target embolisation)
- Loss of blood supply to part of an organ, which may need further treatment
- A serious allergic reaction to the dye, or significant kidney injury
- Very rarely, a life-threatening complication, especially when someone is already critically unwell
The biggest uncertainty is whether the bleeding can be reached and fully stopped, and whether it will return; both depend on the cause and how unwell you are. The other key risk is that blocking the vessel also affects a little nearby healthy tissue. In an emergency the benefit of stopping life-threatening bleeding usually far outweighs these risks, but ask your team what they expect for your specific situation and what the plan is if it does not work first time.
Published figures to discuss
Reliable single success and complication figures are hard to quote because they depend so heavily on what is bleeding, how severe it is and how unwell the patient is. Trauma and emergency bleeding behave very differently from planned embolisation. For these reasons the realistic picture below is described in words rather than precise percentages, and your team should give a tailored estimate.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical success stopping bleeding | Often high in experienced centres, but varies by bleeding site, shock and clotting status | Success is lower when bleeding is diffuse, intermittent or the patient is profoundly unstable. | British Society for Haematology - Bleeding risk before invasive proceduresonlinelibrary.wiley.comSource-linked context |
| Rebleeding after embolisation | Uncommon to common depending on cause and vessel treated | Recurrent pain, falling blood pressure or dropping haemoglobin may need repeat embolisation, endoscopy or surgery. | British Society for Haematology - Bleeding risk before invasive proceduresonlinelibrary.wiley.comSource-linked context |
| Non-target embolisation causing tissue damage | Rare but serious | Careful imaging and catheter positioning reduce the risk of blocking the wrong vessel. | British Society for Haematology - Bleeding risk before invasive proceduresonlinelibrary.wiley.comSource-linked context |
| Contrast, kidney or access-site complications | Uncommon | Bleeding at the groin/wrist, kidney impairment and contrast reaction are discussed before treatment when time allows. | British Society for Haematology - Bleeding risk before invasive proceduresonlinelibrary.wiley.comSource-linked context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no large wound to heal, only a small artery puncture, but recovery is shaped far more by the underlying cause of the bleeding than by the embolisation itself. Most people are admitted afterwards for monitoring.
- Bruising and a small firm lump at the artery puncture site
- Aching or cramping pain in the treated area for a few days
- Mild fever, tiredness and feeling generally unwell for a few days if a larger area was treated
- Needing pain relief and a hospital stay while the underlying cause is managed
Aftercare
- Keep the puncture site clean and dry and leave the dressing on as advised.
- Take the pain relief you are given; cramping in the treated area is expected for a few days.
- Avoid heavy lifting and straining for the time your team advises so the puncture heals.
- Drink fluids to help flush the dye through your kidneys, unless told otherwise.
- Report a high fever, worsening pain or feeling increasingly unwell, as this can signal infection.
- Continue treatment for the underlying cause of the bleeding as directed.
- Keep follow-up appointments and any planned repeat scan.
- Understanding of what caused the bleeding and the plan to treat it
- Pain relief arranged and instructions on how to take it
- The ward or unit contact number for the puncture site, fever or returning bleeding
- A list of which medicines, including blood thinners, to stop or restart and when
- A note of any dye allergy to show the team
- Support at home if you are discharged while still recovering
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Fresh or heavy bleeding from the puncture site (lie down, press firmly and call for help)
- Signs that the original bleeding is returning, such as vomiting blood, black stools, heavy vaginal bleeding, feeling faint or a racing heart
- Severe or worsening pain in the treated area
- A high fever, shivering or feeling very unwell (possible infection)
- The limb beyond the puncture becoming cold, pale, numb or very painful
- A rash, facial or lip swelling, or wheeze suggesting a delayed dye reaction
- Passing much less urine than usual in the days afterwards
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your radiologist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A good result means the bleeding has stopped during the procedure, confirmed on the X-ray pictures. This can be life-saving and can avoid open surgery. Embolisation controls the bleeding, but it does not cure whatever caused it, so the underlying problem, such as an ulcer, injury or tumour, still needs its own treatment.
Bleeding can sometimes return, either because a vessel reopens or because the underlying cause is ongoing. If that happens, a repeat embolisation or surgery may be needed. Your team will explain how likely this is for your situation.
How durable the result is depends on the cause of the bleeding. When a single vessel is sealed, the block is usually lasting; temporary agents are designed to wear off once bleeding has settled. The bigger question is whether the underlying condition is controlled, as that determines whether bleeding could recur.
Related tests, treatments or support
Embolisation is often part of wider emergency or cancer care. It may be combined with resuscitation and blood transfusion, with surgery, or with treatment of the underlying condition such as an ulcer, injury or tumour. For some tumours, embolisation is used together with other treatments rather than on its own.
Follow-up & long-term care
After the procedure you are usually monitored on a ward, with checks of the puncture site, the treated area and signs of further bleeding. Follow-up focuses on treating the underlying cause and confirming the bleeding has not returned, sometimes with a repeat scan. Report any returning bleeding, fever or worsening pain straight away.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- Bleeding can recur or be incompletely controlled, so a repeat embolisation is sometimes needed.
- Surgery may still be required if embolisation does not fully stop the bleeding.
- The underlying cause, such as a tumour or ulcer, needs its own ongoing treatment.
- Temporary embolic agents may wear off, which is intended once bleeding has settled.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- Close monitoring after the procedure for returning bleeding and for the treated area.
- A clear plan to treat the underlying cause of the bleeding, not just the bleed itself.
- Written warning signs and a named contact for recurrence, infection or puncture-site problems.
- Follow-up imaging or review where needed to confirm bleeding has not returned.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- Whether it is an emergency or planned procedure
- How difficult the bleeding vessel is to find and reach
- The type and amount of embolic material used (coils, particles, plugs or glue)
- Whether sedation or a general anaesthetic is needed
- The length of any hospital stay and intensive monitoring required
- The interventional radiologist's fee, the facility fee and treatment of the underlying cause
- The interventional radiologist's fee and the facility fee
- Embolic materials, contrast dye and any anaesthetic or sedation
- The likely length of hospital stay and monitoring
- Whether treatment of the underlying cause is included or separate
- What happens, and what it costs, if a repeat procedure or surgery is needed
- What is covered if a complication needs further care
On the NHS? Embolisation to control bleeding is a core NHS service, frequently delivered as emergency care; it is rarely arranged privately because it usually forms part of urgent hospital treatment.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Not explaining that a small amount of healthy tissue may also lose its blood supply.
- Not making clear that embolisation controls bleeding but does not cure the underlying cause.
- In a rushed emergency, not returning later to explain what was done and what comes next.
- No discussion of the chance of recurrence or of needing surgery as well.
- No written warning signs for returning bleeding, infection or puncture-site problems.
Marketing red flags
- Describing embolisation as a simple or without risks alternative to surgery.
- Implying it cures the underlying condition rather than controlling the bleeding.
- Not mentioning radiation, contrast or the risk to nearby tissue.
- Overstating success without reference to the specific cause of bleeding.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the radiologist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the radiologist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good radiologist will welcome every one of these.
- What is causing my bleeding, and how will it be treated as well as the embolisation?
- How likely is it that the bleeding will be fully controlled, and what is the plan if it is not?
- What is the risk of affecting nearby healthy tissue or an organ?
- Will I need a general anaesthetic or sedation, and why?
- How likely is the bleeding to come back, and what would be done then?
- What should I watch for at home that means the bleeding may be returning?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the radiologist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Is embolisation done on the NHS?
Is it an emergency procedure?
Does blocking the vessel damage healthy tissue?
Will the bleeding come back?
Why do I feel unwell and feverish afterwards?
Is this instead of surgery?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: BSIR - Embolisation for trauma (patient leaflet) BSIR - What is interventional radiology? RadiologyInfo - Catheter embolization NHS - Angiography (access and contrast) British Society for Haematology - Bleeding risk before invasive procedures
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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