Evaluation of a microcatheter-arterial port system for intraarterial therapy in an animal model.

A new microcatheter-arterial port system for transarterial regional therapy was evaluated in a swine model. Subclavian or femoral access was followed by superselective catheterization of target arteries (hepatic, n = 6; splenic, n = 3). A hemostatic sleeve was placed at the arterial puncture site. Implantation into the target vessel succeeded in all nine placements (100%). After animal movement, no microcatheter tip moved by more than 10 mm. A small hematoma developed at one of the subclavian insertion sites. This system holds promise for transarterial therapies for regional cancer therapy.