Compatibility of an Ultraselective Microcatheter and Epirubicin Loaded 300-500-μm DC Bead in Ex Vivo Study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to examine whether epirubicin loaded DC Bead 300-500 μm in size can pass through a 1.8-Fr ultraselective microcatheter in ex vivo study.


METHODS
Epirubicin (25 mg/1 mL) loaded 100-300 and 300-500 μm DC Bead were tested. Both sizes were diluted 5, 10, and 30 times using contrast material. Ultraselective microcatheter with the outer diameter of 1.8 Fr and the inner diameter of .017 inch (431.8 μm) was used. The diluted DC Bead was injected at a speed of 1 mL/min, and the pressure was continuously measured. The microspheres' shapes after ejection were observed by a stereomicroscope.


RESULTS
The maximum pressure of contrast material alone was 8.40 ± 0.21 psi. The maximum pressure in 5, 10, and 30 times dilution groups of 100-300 μm were 9.67 ± 1.18, 9.25 ± 0.25, and 9.71 ± 0.28 psi, respectively, whereas 21.10 ± 10.2, 10.48 ± 2.14, 10.09 ± 0.37 psi, respectively in 300-500 μm groups. The maximum pressure in 5 times dilution group of 300-500 μm was significantly higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). In 300-500 μm, 4 of 10 measurements showed high pressure over 24 psi (the maximum value was 43.5 psi) in 5 times dilution group, whereas in 10 times and 30 times dilution groups, all measurements showed less than 12 psi. No damages of microspheres were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Epirubicin loaded DC Bead 300-500 μm in size can pass through a 1.8-Fr ultraselective microcatheter. To avoid high resistance due to microspheres' aggregation, dilution more than 10 times is needed.
Department of Radiology and IVR Center, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan. miyano.y.fukuoka@gmail.com.
Yasushi
Y
Fukuoka
Department of Radiology and IVR Center, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan. toshihir@bf6.so-net.ne.jp.
Toshihiro
T
Tanaka
Department of Radiology and IVR Center, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan. nishiofukuhideyuki@yahoo.co.jp.
Hideyuki
H
Nishiofuku
Department of Radiology and IVR Center, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan. satotake@naramed-u.ac.jp.
Takeshi
T
Sato
Department of Radiology and IVR Center, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, 634-8522, Japan. kkichika@naramed-u.ac.jp.
Kimihiko
K
Kichikawa
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D057785:Catheters; D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008863:Microspheres
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015251:Epirubicin
Chemoembolization; Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC); Interventional oncology