Hemodynamic changes after transcatheter arterial embolization of hepatocellular carcinomas.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the serial hemodynamic changes that occur after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients with HCCs treated with TAE were evaluated with color and duplex Doppler sonography before, immediately after, and 2 days after TAE. The changes in hepatic artery and portal vein velocity and flow were evaluated.

RESULTS

The portal venous velocity and flow did not change significantly after TAE. The peak systolic velocity in the proximal hepatic artery decreased significantly (P < .01) immediately after TAE then returned to baseline values 2 days after TAE; the resistance index of the proximal hepatic artery increased significantly (P < .01) immediately after embolization, then returned to baseline values 2 days after TAE. Arterial signal in the distal hepatic artery, generally absent immediately after TAE, could be recorded 2 days after.

CONCLUSION

There is a rapidly reversible decrease in hepatic arterial flow induced by embolization, without any change in portal venous flow.