Porous gelatin particles for uterine artery embolization: an experimental study of intra-arterial distribution, uterine necrosis, and inflammation in a porcine model.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the location of porous gelatin particles (GP; Gelpart; Nippon Kayaku/Astellas, Tokyo, Japan) within the arterial vasculature and their acute effects on uterine necrosis and inflammation after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in swine.


METHODS
Adult nonpregnant pigs (n = 6) were allocated to either 1- (n = 3) or 2-mm GP (n = 3). Superselective and bilateral embolization of the uterine arteries was performed. All animals were killed 1 week after UAE. Macroscopic and microscopic findings, including the level of arterial occlusion and their effect on uterine necrosis and inflammation, were analyzed.


RESULTS
All UAE procedures were completed without severe complications. The macroscopic necrosis was seen in two animals in the 2-mm group with an extent of <50%. The location of the occluded arteries did not differ significantly between groups. The median diameters of the occluded arteries were 449 microm (95% confidence interval [CI] 417-538 microm) in the 1-mm GP group and 484 microm (95% CI 370-560 microm) in the 2-mm GP group. As for microscopic necrosis, no statistically significant difference was observed. The qualitative inflammatory reaction was significantly greater in the 2-mm GP group than in the 1-mm group (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Both 1- and 2-mm GP occluded the arteries relevant to the target diameter for UAE in porcine uterus, presumably due to the plastic deformity. Both sizes of GP were associated with limited areas of necrosis; however, evaluation of inflammatory reaction was preliminary. Further study with adequate evaluation of inflammatory reactions is suggested.
Sone
Miyuki
M
Department of Radiology, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, 0208505, Japan. msone@athena.ocn.ne.jp
Osuga
Keigo
K
Shimazu
Kohki
K
Higashihara
Hiroki
H
Nakazawa
Tetsuro
T
Kato
Kenichi
K
Tomabechi
Makiko
M
Ehara
Shigeru
S
Nakamura
Hironobu
H
Morii
Eiichi
E
Aozasa
Katsuyuki
K
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013552:Swine; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D005780:Gelatin