Change in hepatic hemodynamics assessed by hepatic arterial blood pressure and computed tomography during hepatic angiography with the double balloon technique

Purpose To assess the change in hepatic arterial blood pressure (HABP) and computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) using the double balloon technique. Materials and methods Nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were enrolled. We inserted a 5.2-Fr balloon catheter into the common or proper hepatic artery and a 1.8-Fr microballoon catheter into the lobar or segmental artery feeding the HCC. HABPs were measured with the 1.8-Fr microballoon catheter (usual-HABP), with the 1.8-Fr balloon inflated (B-HABP), and with both the 5.2-Fr and 1.8-Fr balloons inflated (BB-HABP). CTHAs were performed via a 1.8-Fr microcatheter (usual-CTHA), with the 1.8-Fr balloon inflated (B-CTHA selective), with both the 5.2-Fr and 1.8-Fr balloons inflated (BB-CTHA selective), and via the 5.2-Fr catheter with the 1.8-Fr balloon inflated (B-CTHA whole) and with both the 5.2-Fr and 1.8-Fr balloons inflated (BB-CTHA whole). Results In all cases, B-HABP was lower than usual-HABP. There was a decrease in BB-HABP in comparison with B-HABP in cases with occlusion of the proper hepatic artery. The contrast effect of B-CTHA selective increased in four cases. The contrast effect on B-CTHA whole remained in all cases. Conclusion This technique can be useful in decreasing HABP and collateral blood flow from the adjacent hepatic segment.