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Updated: May 7, 2026

A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Influence of ethanol-induced pulmonary embolism on hemodynamics in pigs
Shinsaku Yata1, Masayuki Hashimoto, Toshio Kaminou
1Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Division of Radiology, Tottori University, 36-1 Nishicho, Yonago, Tottori 683-8504, Japan.
Aims And Objectives:
Ethanol is widely used for the embolization treatment of vascular malformations, but it can also cause serious complications such us pulmonary hypertension, cardiopulmonary collapse and death. The complications are considered secondary to pulmonary vasospasm and ethanol-induced sludge embolism, etc., We studied the hemodynamic effects of intravenous absolute ethanol injection and ethanol sludge injection in pigs.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 5 pigs underwent intravenous injection of ex vivo generated ethanol-induced sludge in which residual ethanol was removed (Group S) and 4 pigs underwent intravenous injection of absolute ethanol (Group E). Hemodynamic parameters related to the pulmonary and systemic circulation were compared between the groups.
Results:
Transient pulmonary hypertension was observed in both groups and the hemodynamic changes were similar in both groups.
Conclusions:
Sludge can induce transient pulmonary hypertension or cardiopulmonary collapse, without ethanol and may be the mechanism by which ethanol induces its adverse hemodynamic effects.
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