Use of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as a solidifying monomer in balloon embolization is a dangerous affair

The thermochemistry of the polymerization of HEMA using redox catalysts reported to be useful for the polymerization of HEMA in latex balloons in detachable balloon embolization techniques was investigated. With benzoyl peroxide and N,N-dimethyl paratoluidine as the redox system, the temperature rise was more than 100 /spl deg/C during polymerization. Polymerizing HEMA in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and employing a judicious combination of catalysts and cross-linking agents were found to reduce the exotherm to obtain soft and rubbery gels.