Stronger Together

Liquid embolics are broadly categorized based on their interaction with the blood vessel wall.

Adhesive agents, such as N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA or "glue"), bond instantly to the vessel tissue upon contact with ionic fluids like blood. This provides an immediate, permanent seal but requires the technician to be extremely quick to avoid "gluing" the catheter tip into the vessel. Non-adhesive agents, such as EVOH copolymers (Onyx or Squid), do not stick to the vessel wall. Instead, they form a spongy, lava-like mass that gradually fills the space. This allows for a more controlled, slower injection over several minutes, giving the surgeon the ability to pause and reassess the progress under X-ray.