Artificial emboli based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles in animal experiments.
Spherical poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles 0.4-0.6 mm in diameter prepared by suspension polymerization were used for embolization of the internal thoracic artery in ten dogs and the renal artery in two dogs. No signs of toxic or irritating effect of poly(HEMA), either on the artery wall, or surrounding tissues were found in any animal in intervals of observation lasting two weeks, three months or one year. Possible neocapillarity, the presence of fibrous bundles among the particles of poly(HEMA) and, eventually, their slow degradation, were symptomatic of reparative processes.