Pulmonary embolism after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma:a retrospective analysis on 10 years' experience

To study the clinical characteristics and treatment of pulmonary embolism （PE） after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） for hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Methods： The clinical records of 13 512 patients diagnosed with HCC and received TACE from January 2000 to December 2009 were reviewed. Among these patients, 5 031 were allocated into group A who had one or more disorders like diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity or varicose vein of lower limb, while the other 8 481 patients who did not have such disorders were in group B. Results： A total of 39 185 TACE procedures were performed for the 13 512 patients. Five （0.01%） patients in group A developed PE after TACE, of whom two recovered 4 and 5 d later with early anticoagulant therapy while the hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity or varicose vein of lower limb are possibly more likely to develop PE other 3 died of respiratory failure within 5 h. The mortality of PE was 60% （3/5）. Conelusion： HCC patients with diabetes, after TACE than those without such disorders. Patients who have such disorders should be more carefully observed after TACE and early treatment with heparin should be applied once PE develops.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics and treatment of pulmonary embolism(PE)after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:The clinical records of 13 512 patients diagnosed with HCC and received TACE from January 2000 to December 2009 were reviewed.Among these patients,5 031 were allocated into group A who had one or more disorders like diabetes,hypertension,coronary heart disease,obesity or varicose vein of lower limb,while the other 8 481 patients who did not have such disorders were in group B.Results:A total of 39 185 TACE procedures were performed for the 13 512 patients.Five(0.01%)patients in group A developed PE after TACE,of whom two recovered 4 and 5 d later with early anticoagulant therapy while the hypertension,coronary heart disease,obesity or varicose vein of lower limb are possibly more likely to develop PE other 3 died of respiratory failure within 5 h.The mortality of PE was 60%(3/5).Conclusion:HCC patients with diabetes, after TACE than those without such disorders.Patients who have such disorders should be more carefully observed after TACE and early treatment with heparin should be applied once PE develops.