Splenic artery embolization as an adjunctive procedure for portal hypertension.

Splenic embolization is a technique that can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments for the mitigation of portal hypertension and associated physiological effects of portal hypertension. This technique can be used safely when total embolization volume is ~50% and the procedural and periprocedural time periods are covered with antibiotics. In this patient population, partial splenic embolization can decrease the incidence of variceal bleeding, and protection can persist for at least a year. Additionally, liver function tests and serum cell counts can be expected to improve. Although not frequently used as primary therapy for patients with portal hypertension, splenic embolization can often be helpful as an alternative or adjunctive procedure.