Introduction: Microcatheters and microcoils are produced by a number of different companies, and this is one of the reasons that their compatibility is sometimes unclear. Therefore, we conducted an experimental study to evaluate the compatibility of microcoils through major microcatheters using an in vitro model.
Material and methods: We performed trials on eight types of microcoils with 16 types of microcatheters in a vascular model under fluoroscopy. The microcatheters were perfused with normal saline and the vascular model with normal saline with lubricant during the experiment. Two radiologists evaluated their compatibility with scores of 1 through 5 in a double-blinded state (1: not passable, 2: passable with exertion, 3: passable with some resistance, 4: passable with slight resistance, and 5: passed without resistance).
Result: A total of 512 combinations were examined. The number of scores with 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 were found for 465, 11, 3, 2, and 15 combinations, respectively. Sixteen combinations were non-applicable due to the depletion of microcoils.
Conclusion: Although this experiment has multiple limitations, most microcoils and microcatheters are compatible if their primary diameters are smaller than the indicated microcatheter tip inner diameters, with some exceptions.
Keywords: Interventional radiology; catheter interventions; embolization; endovascular therapy; vascular intervention.