Rationale and objectives: To evaluate the effects of hepatic artery embolization (HAE), hepatic microcirculatory changes induced by HAE were assessed quantitatively in rats.
Methods: Using in vivo microscopy, the blood-flow velocity (BFV) through terminal portal venules (TPVs) and terminal hepatic venules (THVs) was measured during HAE with gelatin sponge powder (GSP), iodized oil (Lipiodol, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mL/kg), or 0.1 mL/kg Lipiodol followed by GSP.
Results: After HAE with GSP, BFV through TPVs decreased significantly, but BFV through THVs did not decrease. After HAE with Lipiodol (0.2 and 0.4 mL/kg), BFV through TPVs decreased significantly, but BFV through THVs did not. After HAE with Lipiodol followed by GSP, BFV through both TPVs and THVs decreased significantly.
Conclusions: Neither GSP nor Lipiodol adversely affects hepatic microcirculation when administered alone; however, HAE with a combination of Lipiodol and GSP does adversely affect hepatic microcirculation.