Ep. 630 Trauma Embolization Techniques Using Vascular Plugs with Dr. Nima Kokabi, Dr. Brian Funaki, and Dr. Alex Villalobos

As interventional radiology cements its position as a primary clinical responder for acute arterial hemorrhage, what if you could achieve rapid and durable arterial occlusion with a single, highly deliverable device? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Alex Villalobos (UNC), Dr. Nima Kokabi (UNC), and Dr. Brian Funaki (UChicago) join host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to explore the shifting paradigms of arterial embolization in a case-based discussion highlighting modern vascular plug technologies.--- Get the BackTable app https://www.backtable.com/app --- This podcast is supported by Okami Medicalhttps://okamimedical.com/ --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction01:24 - Trauma Activation Workflow06:42 - Empiric Arterial Embolization Indications10:40 - Embolic Agent Preferences and Value Analysis17:18 - Embolics on the Shelf19:32 - LOBO Plug Use Cases20:58 - Case 1: Abdominal Wall Hematoma23:54 - LOBO Advantages, Cost, and Microcatheter Compatibility26:33 - Alternative Access Approaches30:31 - LOBO Sizing and Trackability35:26 - Pusher Wire Features38:20 - Delivery Catheter Requirements43:41 - Case 2: Retroperitoneal Bleed45:15 - LOBO Deployment Technique49:41 - Case 3: Splenic Trauma53:51 - Occlusion Time and Adjunct Embolics57:07 - Closing Remarks --- More about this episode The panel begins by discussing the range of embolic options and combinations at their disposal, sharing their preferences and treatment algorithms in various clinical scenarios. In particular, they emphasize the need for tools that provide immediate, predictable occlusion without the technical burden and cost of needing to deploy multiple embolic agents. The physicians go on to focus on Okami Medical’s LOBO vascular plug as a primary solution for rapid vessel occlusion, highlighting the micro-pore architecture and unique deliverability through microcatheters that make it advantageous for precise positioning and reliable embolization. Exploring its use in cases including rectus sheath hematomas, retroperitoneal bleeding, and splenic trauma, the physicians detail the technical nuances of sizing and positioning the LOBO as well as the long-term advantages of its artifact-free design. This episode ultimately underscores a growing preference for streamlined arterial embolization workflows that prioritize rapid stasis and clinical predictability while leveraging the strengths of a multimodal embolic toolkit.