A new porcine sponge material for temporary embolization: an experimental short-term pilot study in swine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a porcine-derived gelfoam, Curaspon, for the temporary occlusion of the visceral arteries.


METHODS
Curaspon was used for the selective embolization of segmentary hepatic, unilateral polar renal, and single lumbar arteries of 10 pigs under general anesthesia. Sequential angiographic checks were carried out and the pigs killed between 3 days and 2 weeks later. Macroscopic and microscopic studies using standard techniques were used to evaluate the immediate efficacy of embolization, duration of and completeness of recanalization on angiography, macroscopic appearance of target-organ ischemia, and microscopic analysis of inflammatory reaction.


RESULTS
Immediate arterial occlusion was obtained in all cases. Renal arteries showed a total recanalization in 63% of cases on day 7 and 100% on day 14. Total hepatic recanalization was obtained in 100% of animals on day 7. All lumbar arteries were recanalized on day 14. Microscopic analysis in the kidney revealed a mild inflammatory reaction and a progressive lysis of the Curaspon (87% of samples at day 3 showed a persistence of Curaspon and 5% at day 14). In some cases, localized and partial destruction of the arterial wall was visualized. In the liver the same patterns were observed but resolved more completely and more rapidly.


CONCLUSIONS
Curaspon is an efficient material for the temporary occlusion of visceral and parietal arteries in pigs. However, arterial aneurysms were observed and a relationship of these with the material cannot be excluded.
Louail
B
B
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 20 Rue Leblanc, Paris 75015, France.
Sapoval
M
M
Bonneau
M
M
Wasseff
M
M
Senechal
Q
Q
Gaux
J-C
JC
D000818:Animals; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply; D012077:Renal Artery; D034421:Sus scrofa