Changes in platelet kinetics after a partial splenic arterial embolization in cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism

We performed a partial splenic arterial embolization in 22 patients with cirrhosis associated with thrombocytopenia and then evaluated the changes in platelet kinetics after undergoing the procedure using 111In-tropolone-labeled platelets. The controls consisted of eight chronic hepatitis patients who showed a normal platelet count and normal spleen size. The mean splenic infarction ratio after the procedure was 54.9%. A platelet kinetics study was performed before and 2 months after the procedure. Before the procedure, the cirrhotic patients showed increases in the splenic volume and the spleen/liver uptake ratio of the 111In-labeled platelets on both the third and seventh days, and a decrease in the platelet recovery compared with the controls, which suggested an increased platelet pool in the spleen. In addition, the platelet survival time in cirrhotic patients was shortened, whereas the platelet-associated immunoglobulin G (PA-IgG) was higher than that of the controls, which suggested the involvement of immunologic mechanisms in the thrombocytopenia. With an increase of the platelet count after a partial splenic arterial embolization, the spleen/liver uptake ratio of the 111In-labeled platelets decreased, whereas the platelet recovery increased. Furthermore, the platelet survival time was prolonged, whereas the PA-IgG decreased. The platelet count showed a positive correlation with the platelet survival time and a negative correlation with PA-IgG before and after the procedure. These results suggest that a transcatheter splenic arterial embolization not only may reduce the increased platelet pool in the spleen but also may improve the thrombocytopenia induced by immunologic mechanisms in patients with cirrhosis.