Nonadhesive liquid embolic agent: role of its components in histologic changes in embolized arteries

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of a nonadhesive liquid embolic material and the role of its components in histologic changes in embolized arteries.

Materials and methods: A Eudragit-E mixture (Rohm Chemische Fabrik, Darmstadt, Germany) was made of a cationic copolymer (Eudragit-E) dissolved in an equal volume of absolute ethanol and iopamidol. The Eudragit-E mixture, an ethanol-iopamidol mixture, and an iopamidol-saline mixture were injected into 12 rabbit renal arteries each. Three rabbits from each group were followed up for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, at which time they were sacrificed. Kidneys were removed for histologic examination.

Results: The Eudragit-E mixture occluded all renal arteries without difficulty: the arteries did not recanalize. Histologically, acute vasculitis was caused by both the Eudragit-E and ethanol-iopamidol mixtures, but not by the iopamidol-saline mixture. Small infarctions were elicited with the ethanol-iopamidol mixture but not with the iopamidol-saline mixture.

Conclusion: The Eudragit-E mixture is effective and easy to handle. Fifty percent ethanol may play a role in vessel occlusion with Eudragit-E mixture and in acute vasculitis.