In Vitro Model for Simulating Drug Delivery during Balloon-Occluded Transarterial Chemoembolization
Jorge Aramburu1, Raúl Antón1,2, Junichi Fukamizu3
1Tecnun Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad de Navarra, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
Background:
Balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization (B-TACE) has emerged as a safe and effective procedure for patients with liver cancer, which is one of the deadliest types of cancer worldwide. B-TACE consist of the transcatheter intraarterial infusion of chemotherapeutic agents, followed by embolizing particles, and it is performed with a microballoon catheter that temporarily occludes a hepatic artery. B-TACE relies on the blood flow redistribution promoted by the balloon-occlusion. However, flow redistribution phenomenon is not yet well understood.
Methods:
This study aims to present a simple in vitro model (IVM) where B-TACE can be simulated.
Results:
By visually analyzing the results of various clinically-realistic experiments, the IVM allows for the understanding of balloon-occlusion-related hemodynamic changes and the importance of the occlusion site.
Conclusion:
The IVM can be used as an educational tool to help clinicians better understand B-TACE treatments. This IVM could also serve as a base for a more sophisticated IVM to be used as a research tool.
