n-hexyl cyanoacrylate

N-hexyl cyanoacrylate (NHCA) is a synthetic liquid embolic agent and tissue adhesive developed by Balt Extrusion. Marketed under the brand name MagicGlue, it is a cyanoacrylate-based adhesive designed for endovascular embolization. Compared to the more common N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), NHCA features longer alkyl chains, which result in slower polymerization and reduced adhesiveness, potentially lowering toxicity and improving ease of use during catheter-based procedures. It acts by polymerizing upon contact with blood or other ionic fluids, creating a solid cast that mechanically occludes the vascular lumen. Its primary clinical applications include the treatment of arteriovenous malformations and, more recently, middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH).

Brand names

MagicGlueMagic Glue

Other names

NHCAN-hexyl-cyanoacrylate