Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of catheterization in rat hepatic artery and interventional therapy through carotid artery.
Methods: A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. All were punctured through left common carotid artery (LCCA) under intraperitoneal injection anesthesia. Microcatheter was inserted through a puncturing outer cannula into celiac artery and angiography performed to investigated the anatomical structure. Then a microcatheter was inserted into proper hepatic artery. One group was perfused with epirubicin 5 mg while another embolized with lipidol and polyvinyl (PVA). The status of vascular patency was re-examined by celiac angiography after perfusion and embolization. The 2-week survival rate (SR) and related complications were observed.
Results: Except for one failed case, all other cases were successfully inserted and celiac-gastroduodenal arteriography was completed with a success rate of 97% (29/30). The anastomosis between gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was demonstrated in 28 cases (28/29, 96.6%). In 14 cases with perfusion therapy, arteriography demonstrated all branches of celiac artery had no occlusion while 10 embolized cases (10/15, 67%) had the main branch occlusion of gastroduodenal artery and 5 (5/15, 33%) stayed open. No postoperative abnormality was found in the limb motor function. Five had the drooping of left upper eyelid during 12 - 24 h after intervention and subsided after a week. And 10 embolized via main branch of gastroduodenal artery showed a poor appetite within 3 days postoperation and recovered gradually after 3 days. After intervention, 27 rats survived in 2 weeks. The survival rate was 93% (27/29). One died of incision infection and another neck hematoma.
Conclusion: Catheterization in hepatic artery and interventional therapy through carotid artery is both feasible and safe. It may have a high application value.