Hepatic Angiography: A Procedure to Visualize Liver Tumor Vessels in a Rabbit Model

To visualize the tumor-associated liver blood vessels, place an anesthetized rabbit model of a hepatic tumor in a supine position on an operating table. Sterilize the groin area and make an incision to expose the femoral bundle. Place an instrument handle under the femoral bundle and separate the femoral artery from the adjoining vein and nerve.

Puncture the femoral artery with a Seldinger needle and advance it into the vessel. Next, insert the guidewire through the needle into the artery and then remove the needle. Pass a sheath over the guidewire, and advance it into the artery. Finally, insert an angiographic catheter and inject a small volume of contrast dye into the blood vessel.

The contrast dye contains iodine, a substance that X-rays cannot pass through, making the blood vessel visible as a dark, shadowy structure against a bright background. This enables the real-time visualization of the catheter movement through the femoral artery on a fluoroscope.

Continue advancing the catheter until it reaches the liver blood vessels. When the catheter tip reaches the artery close to the tumor site, inject a suitable volume of the contrast agent. As the contrast dye circulates, it makes the blood vessels visible on the angiogram, revealing the vasculature associated with the tumor.