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. 2025 Jul;49(14):4087-4095.
doi: 10.1007/s00266-024-04608-8. Epub 2025 Jan 2.

The Efficacy of Heparin and Nitroglycerin in Managing Vascular Embolism Complications from Polycaprolactone (PCL) Fillers: A Clinical Study

Aawrish Khan #  1   2 , Tao Wang #  1   2 , Ping Zhang  1   2 , Lili Qi  1   2 , Lunli Gong  3   4 , Haiyan Cui  5   6
Affiliations

The Efficacy of Heparin and Nitroglycerin in Managing Vascular Embolism Complications from Polycaprolactone (PCL) Fillers: A Clinical Study

Aawrish Khan et al. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The use of PCL fillers has increased due to their long-lasting effects and collagen stimulation properties. However, managing vascular embolisms caused by PCL fillers is challenging due to the inability to dissolve them quickly. This study builds upon our previous findings from animal studies, which provided valuable insights into the management of PCL-related vascular complications.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of heparin and nitroglycerin in managing vascular embolism complications resulting from PCL fillers in a clinical setting.

Methods: A retrospective clinical study involves 10 patients with vascular embolisms following PCL injections. Treatments included heparin and nitroglycerin administration, imaging for embolism assessment and follow-up ranging from 1 month to 1 year.

Results: The study demonstrated a significant improvement in blood flow and reduction in ischemia with minimal adverse reactions.

Conclusions: Heparin and nitroglycerin are effective in managing PCL-related vascular embolisms, providing a viable alternative for clinicians.

Level of evidence iii: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Keywords: Complications; Embolism; Fillers; PCL.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this manuscript. Ethical Approval: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed Consent: Complete written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this study.

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