Splenic artery embolization with Ankaferd blood stopper in a sheep model.
OBJECTIVE
Splenic artery embolization is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure utilized in a number of disorders. Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) is a novel hemostatic agent with a new mechanism of action independent of clotting factors. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficiency of ABS for splenic artery embolization in a sheep model.


METHODS
Seven adult female sheep were included in the study. Selective celiac angiography was performed using a 5F diagnostic catheter and then a 2.7F hydrophilic coating microcatheter was advanced coaxially to the distal part of the main splenic artery. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 6 mL mixture composed of half-and-half ABS and contrast agent was slowly injected. Fluoroscopy was used to observe the deceleration and stagnation of the flow. Control celiac angiograms were obtained immediately after the embolization. After the procedure, the animals were observed for one day and then sacrificed with intravenous sodium thiopental.


RESULTS
Technical success rate was 100%. None of the animals died or experienced a major systemic adverse event during the procedure. All of the spleens appeared dark on macroscopic examination due to excessive thrombosis. Microscopically, the majority of the splenic sinusoids (90%-95%) were necrotic.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, splenic artery embolization by ABS was found to be safe and effective in the short-term. Further studies are needed to better understand the embolizing potential of this novel hemostatic agent.
Department of Radiology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey. orhan.ozbek@gmail.com.
Osman
O
Koç
Kadir
K
Acar
Orhan
O
Özbek
İbrahim
İ
Güler
Kadir
K
Sarıtaş
Tuba Bera
TB
Erdem
Yalçın
Y
Solak
Hatice
H
Toy
Ahmet
A
Küçükapan
Seda
S
Özbek
Abduzhappar
A
Gaipov
İbrahim C
İC
Haznedaroğlu
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012756:Sheep; D013157:Splenic Artery
D010936:Plant Extracts; C539751:ankaferd blood stopper