Transcatheter embolization with Gelfoam and Avitene: the effect of Sotradecol on the duration of arterial occlusion.

Selective catheterization and embolization of both profunda femoris arteries were performed on eight mongrel dogs. In four dogs, Gelfoam alone (one side), and Gelfoam soaked in Sotradecol (contralateral side) was the embolic agent. In the other four dogs, Avitene in saline (one side), and Avitene suspended in Sotradecol (contralateral side) was the embolic agent. Ateriography followed by sacrifice and histologic examination were performed at two weeks (two dogs in each group) and two months (two dogs in each group) following embolization. In all dogs, histology confirmed the arteriographic appearance. In Gelfoam-embolized dogs, arteries embolized with Gelfoam alone were recanalized by two weeks; arteries embolized with Gelfoam/Sotradecol remained occluded at two months. In Avitene-embolized dogs, arteries embolized with Avitene in saline were moderately recanalized by two weeks and totally recanalized by two months; arteries embolized with Avitene/Sotradecol remained occluded at two months. Inflammatory changes were present in the walls of arteries embolized with Sotradecol. Sotradecol greatly increases the duration of arterial occlusion in Gelfoam and Avitene-embolized arteries.