In vivo microscopy of arterial distribution embolic particles in rabbit mesenteric artery

To study the arterial distribution of embosphere microsphere (EM) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles in rabbit mesenteric artery using in vivo microscopy.To study the arterial distribution of embosphere microsphere (EM) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles in rabbit mesenteric artery using in vivo microscopy.

Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups, namely large PVA (560-710 μm), small PVA (150-350 μm), large EM (500-700 μm), and small EM (100-300 μm). The mesenteric arteries of the experimental animals were embolized under fluoroscopic guidance and visualized using in vivo microscopy. The embolized vessel diameter and arterial distribution of embolic agents were compared.

The diameters of occluded vessels in large PVA, small PVA, large EM, and small EM groups were 430.60 ± 67.30, 200.95 ± 70.54, 387.79 ± 92.51, and 143.81 ± 39.65 μm, respectively. PVA occluded significantly larger vessels than EM when the particle size was similar (P < 0.001). The proportion of EM at the bifurcation of the artery was significantly higher than that of PVA particles (large PVA < large EM, χ² = 4.325, P < 0.038; small PVA < small EM, χ² = 6.68, P < 0.01).

Both PVA and EM could occlude vessels smaller than the particle size, and EM resulted in deeper penetration. The location of embolic particles in the artery is mainly related to the shape of particles.