Purpose: To describe the initial experience of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)using the 3 French(F)catheter system designed for visceral angiography.
Material and methods: Twenty patients with HCC underwent TACE via the right femoral artery using the combination of a 3 F sheath introducer, a 3.3 F catheter, and a 2-2.4 F microcatheter compatible with the 3.3 F catheter. Completion of homeostasis at the puncture site was assessed after five minutes of manual compression. We assessed whether the resumption of ambulating two hours after TACE was safe and feasible.
Results: In 18/20 patients(90%), selective TACE was achieved with the 3 F catheter system. In three of these patients, it was necessary to use a 4 F dilator before insertion of the 3 F sheath introducer. In two patients, the 3.3 F catheter could not enter the celiac artery, and needed to be changed to the 4 F catheter system. In one patient, it took eight minutes until homeostasis was completed. In sixteen patients, the scheduled resumption of ambulation was obtained. In contrast, two patients experienced rehemorrhage, and required further compression.
Conclusion: TACE can be performed using the 3 F catheter system with early resumption of ambulating in most cases.