Acute toxicity of lipiodol infusion into the hepatic arteries of dogs.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The authors studied the acute toxicity of percutaneous transcatheter hepatic artery infusion of iodized poppy oil fatty acid ester (Lipiodol, Laboratoire Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France).

METHODS

Lipiodol dosages of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/kg were infused into the hepatic arteries of 10 beagles. Enzymatic and radiographic alterations were assessed.

RESULTS

After the infusion of Lipiodol, the dogs showed body weight loss and hypoalbuminemia attributable to decreased food intake, transient elevation of the aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, and continuous increase in alkaline phosphatase. The controls did not show any significant change. The radiographs obtained immediately after and 2 weeks after the infusion showed dose-dependent accumulation of Lipiodol in the liver. After 2 weeks, histologic examination of livers and lungs showed dose-dependent (r = .9) retention of oily droplets in sinusoids and pulmonary capillaries. Interlobar pericholangitis was found in four dogs infused with Lipiodol. Pulmonary inflammatory reaction was observed with capillary oil embolism. Oil droplets also were found in the pancreas and the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipiodol infusion of the hepatic artery resulted in dose-dependent circulation and embolism of Lipiodol droplets via sinusoids and via pulmonary capillaries into the systemic circulation.