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.