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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta
Published on: May 30, 2019
Assessment of human placenta as an ex-vivo vascular model for testing of liquid embolic agent injections with
Hideo Okada1,2, Joonho Chung1,3,4, Daniel M Heiferman5
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Purpose:
This project sought to test the utility of post-delivery human placenta (HP) as a vascular model for liquid embolic agent (LEA) simulation, along with adjunctive techniques.
Materials And Methods:
Twelve LEA injections were performed under fluoroscopy in HP with two reflux control methods: dual lumen 'mini' balloon-catheter (n=9); and injection after proximal nBCA plug formation through a second microcatheter ('pressure cooker') (n=3). Measured outcomes included liquid embolic agent (LEA) advancement and reflux. Reflux was categorized into three grades: grade 0=no reflux; grade 1=occlusion of side branches without reflux beyond the balloon or plug; and grade 2=reflux beyond the balloon or plug.
Results:
Simulation success was greater when a balloon was used rather than with a nBCA plug (89% vs 33%, P=0.054). In eight successful balloon-assisted injections, the reflux grades were: 50% grade 0; 12.5% grade 1; and 37.5% grade 2. The one successful nBCA plug injection had grade 2 reflux. All grade 2 balloon injections occurred when the balloon was positioned across a vessel bifurcation.
Conclusions:
HP provides excellent simulation for liquid embolic agents with a dual lumen balloon catheter.
