Ultravist 300 mg ml

TACE was implemented using local analgesia, heparin (5000 IU), antibiotic prophylaxis (cephalosporin), and antiemetic (granisetron) drugs. Angiography was performed according to a standardized protocol prior to intervention. Superselective catheterization of the hepatic artery and the artery supplying the tumor was performed using a 2.7-F microcatheter (Progreat; Terumo Corp., Tokyo, Japan) in all cases. DEB-TACE was then applied to the feeding vessel with a combination of DC beads (Biocompatibles; Terumo Corp., Tokyo, Japan) loaded with doxorubicin (Fig. 1). The microsphere size (100–300 μm and 300–500 μm) of the beads was chosen according to the size of the tumor. DC beads 100–300 µm and/or 300–500 µm in size were used for lesions >6 cm, while beads 100–300 μm in size were used for lesions <6 cm in size. Doxorubicin was administered in a maximum dose of 150 mg per embolization contingent on the tumor size. After loading the beads, the fluid was removed from the suspension and the beads were diluted in 15 mL contrast material (Ultravist 300 mg/mL; Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany). The intervention was terminated when imaging confirmed no contrast agent drainage into the tumor and appropriate blood flow blockage.

A CT scanner with 64 rows of detectors (LightSpeed 64; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) was used to perform the chest CT scans. Plain CT scan was carried out from apex pulmonis to the diaphragm dome (collimation: 0.625 mm, peak tube voltage: 120 kVp, tube current-time product: automatic). Next, 80 mL of a non-ionic contrast medium (Ultravist 300 mg/mL; Bayer, Munich, Germany) was administered intravenously at a rate of 3 mL/s with an automatic injector. The contrast-enhanced scan began 40 seconds after injection of the contrast medium.