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

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Angiographic Utilization of the VX2 Liver Tumor

1. Anesthetize the rabbit using 45 mg/kg ketamine and 5 mg/kg xylazine for induction followed by intubation and maintenance with 1%-3% isoflurane as needed. When the rabbit is anesthetized, shave the surgical site using hair clippers. Clean the incision area using a triplicate wash with betadine scrub, 70% ethanol solution, and betadine solution, and drape the groin area in a sterile surgical fashion.
2. Palpate the femoral groove in the groin. When the groove has been identified, make a 2-3 cm linear incision along the groove (Figure 1).
3. Using blunt dissection, locate and isolate the femoral bundle containing the femoral vein, artery, and nerve (Figure 2).
4. Again, use blunt dissection to separate the femoral artery from the rest of the structures in the bundle and isolate the artery atop a scalpel handle (Figure 3).
5. With a 3-French introducer kit, utilize the Seldinger technique to gain access with a needle. Insert a guidewire and remove the needle to advance the 3-French sheath into the vessel (Figure 4).
   CAUTION: Avoid using excessive force in advancing the 3-French sheath, as this can result in transection of the femoral artery.
6. Under fluoroscopic guidance and using a catheter, guidewire, and iohexol contrast agent, select for the celiac trunk — typically located at the T12 level — and then advance the catheter into the left hepatic artery via the common hepatic and proper hepatic.
7. At this point, administer the agent of choice through the catheter. Once the agent is administered, remove the catheter.
8. Using 3-0 silk suture, ligate the femoral artery proximally and distally to the insertion point of the sheath. Be sure to tighten the knot proximal to the sheath as it is withdrawn to prevent bleeding.
9. Close the groin incision with 4-0 polyglactin 910 sutures on a cutting needle using a subcuticular stitch.
10. Maintain standard post-operative care and monitor animal recovery. Perform euthanasia and necropsy as needed using standard techniques.