Safety and effectiveness of portal vein embolization after hepatic arterial infusion therapy

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a potential tool useful for inducing future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy in patients with advanced hepatic malignancies who are at high risk of hepatic insufficiency if treated by surgical resection. However, the safety and effectiveness of PVE in the context of patients who have undergone hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) is unknown. This retrospective, single-center study identified nine patients who underwent PVE after HAI between January 2015 and December 2022. There were no major adverse events, including biliary, or high-grade liver failure. Analysis showed an increase in standardized FLR from 21.1 ± 2.4% to 34.8 ± 2.1% over 9.8 ± 1.2 weeks, with a mean kinetic growth rate of 2.2 ± 0.6%. The study suggested compatibility of PVE after HAI. Patients who have undergone HAI therapy should not be excluded from consideration of PVE as part of their operative clearance strategy.