Blocked- fl ow vs. freefl ow cyanoacrylate glue embolization: Histological differences in an in vivo rabbit renal artery model

Purpose: The purpose of this in vivo animal study was to compare the acute histological effects on the arterial vessel wall of free-flow vs. blocked-flow embolization with metacryloxysulfolane-n-butyl cyanoacrylate (MS-NBCA) in several concentrations. Materials and methods: A total of 42 rabbit renal arteries were embolized using MS-NBCA mixed with ethiodized oil. The MS-NBCA concentration was 12.5%, 25%, or 50%. All mixtures were injected under both freeflow and blocked-flow conditions. The rabbits were euthanised 30 min after arterial embolization. Arteriallumen distension, intimal inflammation and necrosis, peri-arterial edema, and distality of MS-NBCA penetration were assessed histologically. Multivariable regression analyses were performed using a manual backward procedure, with linear, ordinal and logistic regression to search for factors associated with these outcomes Results: Marked or severe dilatation was observed in 36 out of 42 arteries (86%) and marked or transmural intimal arteritis in all 42 arteries (42/42; 100%). Lumen dilatation caused focal vessel-wall flattening, which resulted in intimal necrosis. Multifocal necrosis extending from the intima to the media occurred in 23 out of 42 kidneys (55%) and peri-arterial edema with multifocal vascular leakage in 19 out of 42 kidneys (45%). At multivariable analysis, blocked-flow MS-NBCA injection was associated with greater severity of vessel-wall lesions, including intimal arteritis ( P = 0.003) and intimal necrosis ( P = 0.014), compared to free-flow injection. Blocked-flow injection was also associated with peri-arterial edema ( P = 0.008) and greater distality of MS-NBCA penetration ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: Blocked-flow MS-NBCA injection during renal artery embolization is significantly associated with more acute arterial-wall damage and greater distality of glue penetration compared to free-flow injection in a rabbit model. These preliminary findings may have clinical implications, as blocked-flow injection is routinely used to treat specific vascular diseases or malformations in human. (c) 2023 Soci & eacute;t & eacute; fran & ccedil;aise de radiologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.