portal embolization side effects patient handout

by Lance Lesch 9 min read

About Your Portal Vein Embolization | Memorial Sloan ...

3 hours ago Embolization can be defined as any endoluminal procedure, vascular or nonvascular, to occlude a vessel to obtain therapeutic benefit. The first embolizations date from the 1960s and 1970s, and articles by Baum, Dotter, Rösch and Tadavarthy belong to the history of medicine. 1 Many series demonstrate the enormous therapeutic potential offered by the various procedures that belong … >> Go To The Portal


Risks following PVE include: Fever (short-term) Nausea and vomiting Fatigue Abdominal pain Infection or bleeding Blood clot forming in your portal vein, called portal vein thrombosis Small chance of the embolization material or particles becoming lodged in the wrong place and depriving normal tissue in your body of blood supply

Full Answer

What is a portal embolization procedure?

Embolization can be defined as any endoluminal procedure, vascular or nonvascular, to occlude a vessel to obtain therapeutic benefit. The first embolizations date from the 1960s and 1970s, and articles by Baum, Dotter, Rösch and Tadavarthy belong to the history of medicine. 1 Many series demonstrate the enormous therapeutic potential offered by the various procedures that belong …

What are the side effects of embolization?

Bleeding and unintentional embolization are the most common complications and occur less than 2 in 100 patients. Some patients experience nausea and vomiting as well as fever. These symptoms can be controlled with appropriate medications. A small number of patients may develop infection which can usually be controlled with antibiotics.

What is portal vein embolization (PVE)?

Risks following PVE include: Fever (short-term) Nausea and vomiting Fatigue Abdominal pain Infection or bleeding Blood clot forming in your portal vein, called portal vein thrombosis Small chance of the embolization material or particles becoming lodged in the wrong place and depriving normal tissue ...

What are the complications of portal vein embolization?

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) induces compensatory hyperplasia of the future liver remnants (FLR), thus increasing resectability in the non-cirrhotic patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). However, it is unclear if it is similar in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the prese …

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How do you feel after portal vein embolization?

Bleeding and unintentional embolization are the most common complications and occur less than 2 in 100 patients. Some patients experience nausea and vomiting as well as fever. These symptoms can be controlled with appropriate medications.

Is embolization reversible?

A non-reversible absorbable material is generally used for embolization, as it provides effective, permanent vascular occlusion.Oct 26, 2016

What is PVE in cancer?

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a procedure that induces regrowth on one side of the liver in advance of a planned hepatic resection on the other side. The procedure is frequently used in primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and colorectal liver metastases.May 30, 2017

Can portal vein thrombosis Embolize?

Liquid embolic materials can flow more distally and can completely embolize the distal small branches of the portal vein (5). This means that recanalization occurs less often when using particle embolic materials or coils.

What is PVE liver?

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a technique used before hepatic resection to increase the size of liver segments that will remain after surgery. This therapy redirects portal blood to segments of the future liver remnant (FLR), resulting in hypertrophy.

Can a portal vein be replaced?

We developed a new method of portal vein replacement using the excised hepatic vein. This technique can be applied in major liver resections for tumors infiltrating the portal vein that have a safe distance from the hepatic vein.

What happens after liver resection?

Your belly will be sore after liver resection. This usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. You may also have nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or a headache. You may have a low fever and feel tired and sick to your stomach.

How many times can TACE be done?

The average time before a second round of TACE is necessary (because of new tumor) is between 10 and 14 months. TACE can be repeated many times over the course of many years, as long as it remains technically possible and you continue to be healthy enough to tolerate repeat procedures.

Does portal vein thrombosis cause pain?

Portal vein thrombosis causes upper abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by nausea and an enlarged liver and/or spleen; the abdomen may be filled with fluid (ascites). A persistent fever may result from the generalized inflammation.

What does embolization treat?

Embolization may be used to stop bleeding or to block the flow of blood to a tumor or abnormal area of tissue. It may be used to treat some types of liver cancer, kidney cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. It may also be used to treat uterine fibroids, aneurysms, and other conditions.

What causes portal vein hypertension?

Portal hypertension is a term used to describe elevated pressures in the portal venous system (a major vein that leads to the liver). Portal hypertension may be caused by intrinsic liver disease, obstruction, or structural changes that result in increased portal venous flow or increased hepatic resistance.

What is TIP procedure?

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid back up.

How is liver remnant future calculated?

The ratio of the future liver remnant volume (FLRV%) was calculated by dividing the FLRV by the TLV (FLRV/TLV) and expressed as %. The estimated future remnant liver function (eFLRF) was calculated by multiplying the future liver remnant volume ratio by the corrected total liver function (eFLRF = FLRV% × TLF).Mar 21, 2016

What is portal artery?

The portal vein is a blood vessel that delivers blood to the liver from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas. Most of the liver's blood supply is delivered by the portal vein.Mar 4, 2020

What are the complications of embolization?

Possible complications after embolization include: 1 Abdominal pain 2 Fever 3 Nausea 4 Infection in the liver 5 Blood clots in the main blood vessels of the liver

What is a TAE catheter?

Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) During trans-arterial embolization a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is put into an artery in the inner thigh through a small cut and eased up into the hepatic artery in the liver. A dye is usually injected into the bloodstream to help the doctor watch the path of the catheter.

How does the liver work?

The liver is special in that it has 2 blood supplies. Most normal liver cells are fed by the portal vein , whereas a cancer in the liver is mainly fed by the hepatic artery. Blocking the part of the hepatic artery that feeds the tumor helps kill off the cancer cells, but it leaves most of the healthy liver cells unharmed because they get their blood ...

What is a tace?

Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) Trans-arterial chemoembolization is usually the first type of embolization used for large liver cancers that cannot be treated with surgery or ablation. It combines embolization with chemotherapy (chemo).

How does radioembolization work?

This is done by injecting small beads (called microspheres) that have a radioactive isotope (yttrium-90 or Y-90) attached to them into the hepatic artery. Once infused, the beads lodge in the blood vessels near the tumor, where they give off small amounts of radiation to the tumor site for several days. The radiation travels a very short distance, so its effects are limited mainly to the tumor.

What is a drug eluting bead?

Drug-eluting bead chemoembolization combines TACE embolization with drug-eluting beads (tiny beads that contain a chemotherapy drug). The procedure is essentially the same as TACE except that the artery is blocked after drug-eluting beads are injected. Because the chemo is physically close to the cancer and because the drug-eluting beads slowly release the chemo, the cancer cells are more likely to be damaged and die. The most common chemo drugs used for TACE or DEB-TACE are mitomycin C, cisplatin, and doxorubicin.

What drugs are used for tace?

The most common chemo drugs used for TACE or DEB-TACE are mitomycin C, cisplatin, and doxorubicin.

What happens if a portal vein is blocked?

If a portion of the portal vein is blocked (embolized) the part of the liver receiving oxygen from it will die. The remainder of the liver, however will try to (regenerate). Patients who have tumors of the liver can sometimes be cured with surgery.

How long do you have to stay in bed after a syringe?

The patient must lie in bed for approximately 4 hours but will be able to eat and drink as tolerated. Most patients leave the day after the procedure.

Is portal vein embolization safe?

Portal Vein Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure and therefore is considered to be very safe. However, there are some associated risks, as there are with any medical procedure. Bleeding and unintentional embolization are the most common complications and occur less than 2 in 100 patients.

What are the risks of PVE?

Risks following PVE include: 1 Fever (short-term) 2 Nausea and vomiting 3 Fatigue 4 Abdominal pain 5 Infection or bleeding 6 Blood clot forming in your portal vein, called portal vein thrombosis 7 Small chance of the embolization material or particles becoming lodged in the wrong place and depriving normal tissue in your body of blood supply 8 Allergic reaction to the contrast dye used for the X-ray 9 Kidney damage for those with diabetes or pre-existing kidney disease

How does PVE work?

PVE works by blocking, or embolizing, the flow of blood from the portal vein to the diseased portion of your liver, and redirecting that flow to the part of the liver that will remain after surgery.

What is PVE in liver?

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a procedure that induces regrowth on one side of the liver in advance of a planned hepatic resection on the other side. The procedure is frequently used in primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and colorectal liver metastases.

Can a liver tumor be staged?

Patients with tumors on both sides of the liver may require staged operations. For example, if the right side of liver has significantly more tumor volume than the left, hepatobiliary surgeons at UCSF will remove the entire right lobe.

What to do if you take a diuretic?

If you take any diuretics (medications that make you urinate more often), ask the healthcare provider performing your procedure what to do. You may need to stop taking them the day of your procedure. Diuretics are sometimes called water pills. Some examples are furosemide (Lasix ®) and hydrochlorothiazide.

How does hepatic embolization work?

A hepatic embolization stops the blood flow to liver tumors. The hepatic artery is the main source of blood for most liver tumors. During your hepatic embolization, your doctor will thread a small catheter (thin flexible tube) in your hepatic artery. Then, they will inject tiny particles in the catheter. These particles will block the blood flow ...

Where is contrast dye injected?

The dye will be injected into a vein in your arm or hand during your hepatic embolization. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to contrast dye in the past, tell your healthcare provider. You may need to take medication before your procedure to help with the allergy.

Do you have to wear a mask at MSK?

Masks Are Still Required at MSK. Patients and visitors must continue to wear masks while at MSK, including people who are fully vaccinated. MSK is offering COVID-19 vaccines to all patients age 12 and over. To schedule or learn more, read this. For Adult Patients /.

What is responsible care partner?

A responsible care partner is someone who can help you get home safely and report concerns to your healthcare providers, if needed. Make sure to plan this before the day of your procedure. If you don’t have a responsible care partner to take you home, call one of the agencies below.

How do you get oxygen during a syringe?

You’ll be attached to equipment to monitor your heart, breathing, and blood pressure. You’ll also get oxygen through a thin tube that rests below your nose.

When is MSK 2021?

Saturday, February 20 , 2021. If you have any questions, contact a member of your healthcare team directly. If you're a patient at MSK and you need to reach a provider after 5:00 pm, during the weekend, or on a holiday, call 212-639-2000. If you have any questions, contact a member of your healthcare team directly.

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Trans-Arterial Embolization

  • During trans-arterial embolization a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is put into an artery in the inner thigh through a small cut and eased up into the hepatic artery in the liver. A dye is usually injected into the bloodstream to help the doctor watch the path of the catheter. Once the catheter is in place, small particles are injected into the artery to plug it up, blocking oxygen and key nutri…
See more on cancer.org

Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization

  • Trans-arterial chemoembolization is usually the first type of embolization used for large liver cancers that cannot be treated with surgery or ablation. It combines embolization with chemotherapy (chemo). Most often, this is done by giving chemotherapy through the catheter directly into the artery, then plugging up the artery, so the chemo can stay close to the tumor.
See more on cancer.org

Drug-Eluting Bead Chemoembolization

  • Drug-eluting bead chemoembolization combines TACE embolization with drug-eluting beads (tiny beads that contain a chemotherapy drug). The procedure is essentially the same as TACE except that the artery is blocked after drug-eluting beads are injected. Because the chemo is physically close to the cancer and because the drug-eluting beads slowly release the chemo, the cancer cel…
See more on cancer.org

Radioembolization

  • Radioembolization combines embolization with radiation therapy. This is done by injecting small beads (called microspheres) that have a radioactive isotope (yttrium-90 or Y-90) attached to them into the hepatic artery. Once infused, the beads lodge in the blood vessels near the tumor, where they give off small amounts of radiation to the tumor site for several days. The radiation travels …
See more on cancer.org

Possible Side Effects of Embolization

  • Possible complications after embolization include: 1. Abdominal pain 2. Fever 3. Nausea 4. Infection in the liver 5. Blood clots in the main blood vessels of the liver Sometimes, it can take 4-6 weeks to fully recover from the procedure. Because healthy liver tissue can be affected, there is a risk that liver function will get worse after embolization. This risk is higher if a large branch of th…
See more on cancer.org

Harnessing The Unique Properties of The Liver

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To be deemed a suitable surgical candidate, a patient must have enough functional liver remaining after the operation. The liver is a unique organ in that it can regrow after surgery, a property called "hypertrophy". However, the body requires that a minimum amount of liver remain (liver reserve) to support regrowth. Surgeons ca…
See more on surgery.ucsf.edu

How The Procedure Works

  • An interventional radiologist will place a needle percutaneously (through the skin) into the liver and identify the blood vessel on the side where the largest part of the tumor is being supplied. Tiny microspheres are then infused into the portal vein which supplies blood to the area, embolizing it by cutting off its blood supply. This blockade of the blood supply induces the othe…
See more on surgery.ucsf.edu

Novel Treatment of Bilobar Liver Cancer (HCC) Using Pve

  • Patients with tumors on both sides of the liver may require staged operations. For example, if the right side of liver has significantly more tumor volume than the left, hepatobiliary surgeons at UCSF will remove the entire right lobe. Surgeons first precondition the "future remnant" liver by resecting or ablating the tumors on the left side. This will become the functioning liver after the …
See more on surgery.ucsf.edu

Case Study

  • Staged surgeries and portal vein embolization performed by hepatobiliary surgeons and interventional radiologists
See more on surgery.ucsf.edu