Hepatic microcirculatory changes induced by hepatic artery embolization inrats - Original investigation

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the effects of hepatic artery emboliz ation (HAE), hepatic microcirculatory changes induced by HAE were assessed quantitatively in rats. METHODS. Using in vivo microscopy, the blood-how velocity (BPV) through ter minal portal venules (TPVs) and terminal hepatic venules (THVs) was measure d 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 microcircul ation when administered alone; however, HAE with a combination of Lipiodol and GSP does adversely affect hepatic microcirculation.