Hepatic Artery Infusional Chemotherapy

Heather L Lewis1, Mark Bloomston2

  • 1Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, N924 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy is a well-studied and viable regional therapy for patients with hepatic metastases. Implantable pump devices may be safely placed intraarterially with minimal morbidity and HAI treatments can be used as an adjunct to systemic therapy. Future trials may address sequencing of regional and systemic therapies. However, HAI is not without complications and requires close monitoring and attention to detail but can offer reasonable control of liver tumor burden when managed jointly between medical and surgical oncologists. Herein we describe the technical aspects of HAI pump placement and review pertinent studies in primary and secondary liver tumors.