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. 2025 Feb;48(2):258-264.
doi: 10.1007/s00270-024-03877-9. Epub 2024 Oct 15.

In Vivo Feasibility of Arterial Embolization with a New Permanent Agar-agar-Based Agent

Thibault Agripnidis  1   2   3 , Alexis Ruimy  4   5   6 , Julien Panneau  4   5   6 , Johanna Nguyen  5   6   7   8 , Vincent Nail  6   7   9 , Farouk Tradi  4   5   6 , Thierry Marx  10 , Aurélie Haffner  5   11 , Pauline Brige  5   6 , Raphaël Haumont  12 , Benjamin Guillet  6   7   9 , Vincent Vidal  4   5   6
Affiliations

In Vivo Feasibility of Arterial Embolization with a New Permanent Agar-agar-Based Agent

Thibault Agripnidis et al. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of an eco-friendly permanent agar-agar-based embolization agent (ABEA) (EmboBio®) for intra-arterial use.

Materials and methods: Six pigs embolized with one ABEA torpedo (6 lower polar renal and 6 lumbar arteries) and one coil (6 lower polar renal and 6 lumbar arteries). Technical success was defined as a complete occlusion with no residual flow in DSA. Short-term endpoints included safety (non-targeted embolization), ease of use (embolization preparation time, occlusion time), and DSA controls at day 7, month 1, and month 3. Tissue reaction was assessed via [18F]-FDG PET/CT at month 2 and histological study at month 3.

Results: ABEA torpedoes achieved immediate and persistent occlusion at month 3 for all kidney and lumbar embolizations (n = 12/12). Control coils had technical success for 12/12, with a persistent occlusion at month 3 for 2/12. No off-target embolization occurred. ABEA torpedoes demonstrate faster occlusion (ABEA: 6 ± 4 s; coils: 427 ± 469 s; p = 0.0022, n = 12) and preparation times (ABEA: 96.9 1 ± 23 s; coils: 150.33 ± 58 s; p = 0.0432, n = 12) after device placement than coil. No significant difference in inflammation between ABEA and coil groups at month 2 (ABEA: 3.35e-6 ± 1.7e-6%ID/mm3; coils: 2.24e-6 ± 8.5e-7%ID/mm3; p = 0.5) on PET imaging. These results were confirmed by histological analysis at month 3.

Conclusion: Permanent dry foam torpedo comprising agar-agar is effective for arterial embolization. In animal model, one ABEA torpedo demonstrates a faster and more persistent occlusion than one fiber coil.

Levels of evidence: Not applicable.

Keywords: Agar-agar; Arterial embolization; Endovascular; Organic agent; Permanent embolic agent.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: One coauthor (Johanna Nguyen) is in a PhD program cofounded by Aix-Marseille University and a medical company (Embobio Medical SAS). The other authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted. Consent to Inform: For this type of study, informed consent is not required. Consent for Publication: For this type of study, consent for publication is not required.

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