Fat Tissue As an Embolic Material Changes the Embolization Time in a Size-dependent Manner: a Basic Investigation Using Rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of fat tissue as an embolic material and determine whether the embolization time depends on the size of the fat tissue.

Materials And Methods: Inguinal fat tissues from 16 rabbits were processed as follows: (1) fat tissues were cut into 2-mm squares, and (2) fat tissue squares were dissociated 20 × through a syringe without a needle (1-139 μm in diameter). The distal main trunk of the right or left renal artery was completely embolized using one of the two types of fat tissue. After 1 or 7 days, renal angiography was performed.

Results: On day 1 after embolization of the renal artery with 2-mm fat tissue squares (Group 1-1) and on day 7 (Group 1-2), the reperfusion rates were 4.0 ± 5.5% and 29.9 ± 6.9%, respectively. On day 1 after embolization of the renal artery with fat tissues dissociated using a 20 × pumping cycle (Group 2-1) and on day 7 (Group 2-2), the reperfusion rates were 59.9 ± 9.9% and 74.3 ± 26.0%, respectively. The reperfusion rates were significantly different between the two types of fat tissue.

Conclusions: Fat tissue serves as an embolic material that changes the embolization time in a size-dependent manner.