A study of portal vein embolization with absolute ethanol injection in cirrhotic rats

AIM:To investigate the effects of portal vein embolization (PVE) with absolute ethanol injection on the cirrhotic livers.METHODS:Absolute ethanol was injected intraportally into normal and cirrhotic SD rats and the changes of the animals in anatomy, pathology, liver function as well as portal hemodynamics were observed.RESULTS:At a dose of 0.05mL/100g of ethanol, the survival rate was 100% in normal rats compared with 40.9% in cirrhotic rats. PVE in the cirrhotic rats with 0.03mL/100g of ethanol, caused significant hypertrophy in non-embolized lobes, mild or moderate damage to the hepatic parenchyma, slight and transient alterations in liver function, portal pressure and portal flow.CONCLUSION:PVE with absolute ethanol injection in the setting of liver cirrhosis could be safe at an appropriate dose, and precautions aimed at preserving liver function were preferable.