Hepatic arterial catheterization with use of a supple catheter with a ball tip.

A new catheter was developed for hepatic angiography and embolization: a non-torque control supple catheter with a ball tip combined with a small guide wire. The catheter was used successfully in 47 of 49 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic metastases. It seldom causes spasm or intimal damage of distal arterial branches and is useful even when there are extensive curves in the arteries leading to the affected site.