[A study of hepatic arterial occlusion by infusion chemotherapy via the left subclavian artery]

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via the left subclavian artery was performed in 112 patients with primary or metastatic liver tumors, and those cases showing hepatic arterial occlusion were discussed. Hepatic arterial occlusion occurred in 22.3% of cases, and the rates of occurrence in males and females showed no significant difference. Therefore, when the catheter was placed and replaced in the RHA or LHA, the occurrences of arterial occlusion seemed to be relatively high, i.e., 45.5% and 50.0%. The diameter of the hepatic artery, which was measured in 25 patients with hepatic arterial occlusion (occlusion group) and 17 patients in a control group (catheter placed in position for over 150 days) on angiographs was 5.2 +/- 1.42 mm (mean +/- S.D) in the occlusion group and 6.1 +/- 1.77 mm in the control group, but the difference was not significant (p less than 0.05). Clinical symptoms and flow scintigraphy were useful for the diagnosis of hepatic arterial occlusion. However, recently, a frequent check of drug delivery has been necessary.