Investigation of a New Version of the Liquid Embolic Agent PHIL with Extra-Low-Viscosity in an Endovascular Embolization Model

DF Vollherbst; R Otto; M Hantz; C Ulfert; HU Kauczor; M Bendszus; CM Sommer; MA Möhlenbruch

doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5750

. 2018 Sep;39(9):1696–1702. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A5750

Investigation of a New Version of the Liquid Embolic Agent PHIL with Extra-Low-Viscosity in an Endovascular Embolization Model

DF Vollherbst ^a,^b, R Otto ^a, M Hantz ^a, C Ulfert ^a, HU Kauczor ^b, M Bendszus ^a, CM Sommer ^b,^c, MA Möhlenbruch ^a,^✉

PMCID: PMC7655283 PMID: 30093480

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

The type and composition of an embolic agent have a relevant influence on the performance of endovascular embolization. The aim of this study was to investigate a new version of the liquid embolic agent precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) with extra-low-viscosity in an in vivo embolization model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty-four embolization procedures were performed in the porcine rete mirabile. Eight embolizations were performed with PHIL 25% low viscosity, Squid 12, and standard PHIL 25%, respectively. Procedure time, required volume of embolic agent, visibility of the embolic agent, embolization control, embolization extent (ie, penetration of the rete mirabile), amount of reflux, and degree of embolization distal to the rete mirabile were assessed.

RESULTS:

All embolic agents were adequately visible. The embolization extent was not significantly different among the 3 investigated agents; however, there was a tendency toward a higher embolization extent for PHIL 25% low viscosity (median embolization extent: 88% [PHIL 25% low viscosity]; 65% [Squid 12]; 60% [PHIL 25%]; P = .146). The amount of reflux was significantly lower for the extra-low-viscosity agents PHIL 25% low viscosity and Squid 12 compared with the standard PHIL 25% (median reflux distance: 8 mm [PHIL 25% low viscosity]; 6 mm [Squid 12]; 17 mm [PHIL 25%]; P = .011). All other embolization features did not differ among agents.

CONCLUSIONS:

PHIL 25% low viscosity is a promising liquid embolic agent for endovascular embolization, featuring effective distal penetration, adequate visibility, a low amount of reflux, and good flow control.

Endovascular embolization can be an effective treatment option for selected cerebral arteriovenous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas.^1,2 Although the success rate of endovascular embolization of these vascular entities has improved in recent years, there is still an obvious need for further improvement, especially regarding the effectiveness and safety of the endovascular treatment of AVMs.^3,4

The choice of the embolic agent has a relevant impact on the success of the endovascular therapy.^4,5 For the endovascular treatment of AVMs and dural arteriovenous fistulas, liquid embolic agents (LEAs) are used most frequently. Different LEAs are currently available that basically differ in the following aspects: mechanism of hardening (ie, polymerization or precipitation), adhesiveness, active component, medium inducing radiopacity, and viscosity. A recently introduced LEA with potential advantages over the established LEAs is the precipitation hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL; MicroVention, Tustin, California). PHIL is a precipitating, nonadhesive embolic agent that uses 2 specific copolymers (polylactide-co-glycolide and polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate) as active components and a covalently bound iodine component (triiodophenol) for radiopacity. The safety and efficacy of PHIL has been demonstrated in several clinical and experimental studies.^6–10

The treatment of complex AVMs with large nidi or dural arteriovenous fistulas with large vascular networks can be impeded by incomplete penetration of the target lesion by the LEA, resulting in an occlusion of the feeding arteries but not of the arteriovenous shunt itself.¹¹ LEAs with extra-low-viscosity could improve the success rate of these entities.^12,13 Of the commercially available LEAs, the standard low-viscosity versions are Onyx 18 (Covidien, Irvine, California), Squid 18 (Emboflu, Gland, Switzerland), and PHIL 25%. Currently, only Emboflu offers a commercially available extra-low-viscosity version (Squid 12).

The aim of this study was to investigate a new extra-low-viscosity version of the LEA PHIL in an in vivo endovascular embolization model. Squid 12 as a commercially available ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer–based extra-low-viscosity LEA and PHIL 25% as a standard low-viscosity LEA were used as control agents.

Materials and Methods

Endovascular Embolization Model

The porcine rete mirabile (RM) is an established embolization model for the investigation of embolic agents and embolization techniques.^10,14–16 The RM is a reticular network of blood vessels, located bilaterally at the base of the skull in pigs with a connection through the midline. It is mainly supplied by the ascending pharyngeal artery (APA), a branch of the common carotid artery.

Animal Procedure

State Animal Care and Ethics Committee approval was obtained. All experiments were performed in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Healthy female pigs (German Landrace) with a body weight of 35–45 kg were used. Anesthesia was introduced with an intramuscular injection of azaperone (6 mg/kg; Stresnil; Janssen Animal Health, Beerse, Belgium), midazolam (0.4 mg/kg; Dormicum; Roche, Basel, Switzerland), and ketamine (10 mg/kg; Ketamin; Medistar, Hannover, Germany). For maintenance, intravenous injections of midazolam and ketamine were performed with a syringe driver, dosed according to the effect. Intubation was performed for airway management. After surgical cut-down, a 6F introducer sheath was inserted into the right femoral artery. The animals were sacrificed 2 hours after embolization with an intravenous injection of 20 mL of potassium chloride 7.5%. The RMs were explanted according to the technique described by Eliyas et al.¹⁷ Subsequently, the RM were transferred to 4% buffered paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin.

Embolization Technique

A 5F guiding catheter (Radifocus Glidecath Vertebral; Terumo Europe, Leuven, Belgium) was positioned in the common carotid artery, proximal to the origin of the APA under fluoroscopic guidance (Artis zee; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Subsequently, a diagnostic angiography of the respective side of the RM was performed via the guiding catheter. Afterward, a 1.3F microcatheter (Headway Duo; MicroVention), which was used with a 0.014-inch guidewire (Traxcess 14; MicroVention), was inserted through the guiding catheter and positioned in the base of the RM. After superselective angiography via the microcatheter for confirmation of the correct catheter position, the microcatheter was flushed with 1 mL of dimethyl-sulfoxide. A syringe-catheter interface adapter was connected to the microcatheter. Subsequently, embolization of the RM was performed by manual and pulsatile injection of the respective LEA. Per injection, a certain amount of reflux was tolerated, defined as a distance of 5 mm of the APA. In the case of reflux exceeding this limit or in the case of embolization of the efferent vessels of the RM, the injection was stopped and the procedure was paused for 60 seconds. At every pause and at the end of every procedure, an x-ray of the RM was performed for assessment of the intra- and postprocedural embolization extent. The procedure was terminated if the respective RM was completely embolized. The procedure was terminated prematurely in the following scenarios: 1) complete embolization of the APA with imminent embolization of the common carotid artery, 2) distal embolization with imminent embolization of the brain, or 3) embolization of the contralateral RM. One minute after termination of the embolization procedure, the microcatheter was removed under fluoroscopy while monitoring the LEA cast for stability. All interventions were performed by 2 interventionalists (D.F.V. and M.A.M. with 5 and 12 years of experience in endovascular interventions, respectively).

PHIL 25% Low Viscosity

The chemical composition and the polymer backbone of PHIL 25% low viscosity (LV) are equivalent to those in the currently available versions of PHIL. The concentration of PHIL 25% LV is identical to that of the standard PHIL 25% (the numbers indicate the concentration in weight per weight). The difference between the extra-low-viscosity and the standard version of PHIL 25%is the length of the polymer chains. The polymer chains are shorter for PHIL 25% LV, resulting in a lower molecular weight of the single copolymer molecules. The lower molecular weight leads to the lower viscosity of PHIL 25% LV.

Study Groups

In total, 24 embolization procedures were performed. We defined 3 study groups: PHIL 25% LV, Squid 12, and standard PHIL 25%, with 8 embolization procedures per study group, respectively.

Study Goals

The aim of each embolization procedure was complete embolization of the respective side of the RM.

The total procedure time and the used volume of LEA per procedure (including the dead space of the microcatheter of 0.35 mL) were recorded. The ease of visualization in fluoroscopy and in x-ray was graded on a 3-point scale (1, definitely not visible; 2, probably visible; 3, definitely visible). The ability to stop forward flow when the injection stops was graded on a 5-point scale (1, uncontrolled high forward flow; 2, partially controlled high forward flow; 3, partially controlled moderate forward flow; 4, controlled low forward flow; 5, no forward flow). The degree of distal embolization was assessed by counting the number of events of embolization distal to the RM per procedure.

For the analysis of the embolization extent, the area of the respective side of the RM was determined in the preinterventional posteroanterior angiogram using the syngo Acquisition Workplace (Siemens) by delineating the perimeter of the RM (Fig 1A). The area of the embolized portion of the RM was delineated in the same fashion in the postinterventional x-ray (Fig 1F). The ratio of these 2 areas (preinterventional angiogram and postinterventional x-ray) was calculated and defined as the embolization extent, as described previously.^10,15

Fig 1. — Representative embolization procedure with PHIL 25% LV. A, Before the embolization procedure, a diagnostic angiography is performed through a guiding catheter. The RM is delineated in the diagnostic angiography image with complete filling of the RM. B, X-ray after the first injection. After the first injection, most of the RM is already embolized. The injection is stopped because of embolization distal to the RM (*arrow*). C, X-ray after the second injection. The second injection leads to slight additional filling of the lateral parts of the RM (*black arrow*). The injection is stopped because of reflux (*arrowhead*). Retrospectively, this is the injection with which the maximal embolization extent was reached. Accordingly, the reflux distance is measured in this image (*double arrow*). X-rays after the fifth (D) and eighth (E) injections. No more filling of the RM is achieved with the following injections, which were all stopped because of reflux (*arrowheads*). After the eighth injection, the procedure is terminated because of reflux of the LEA into the APA (*arrow*). F, After termination of the procedure, the catheters are removed and the embolized portion of the RM is delineated. The area of the completely filled RM (A) and the area of the embolized RM (F) are related, resulting in the embolization extent.

For evaluation of the 3D distribution of the LEA in the RM, a high-resolution digital volume tomography (HR-DVT, 3D Accuitomo 170; J. Morita, Tokyo, Japan; FOV = 40 × 40 mm, voltage = 90 kV, amperage = 8.0 mA, rotation = 360°, reconstruction with isotropic voxels with a slice thickness of 80 μm) of the explanted, paraffin-embedded RM was performed. The 3D distribution of the LEA was described qualitatively. An analysis of the embolization extent using the HR-DVT datasets was consciously not performed for 2 reasons: 1) preparation artifacts that occurred in a few specimens during the dissection of the RM, and 2) the nonembolized portions of the RM that could not be examined in HR-DVT due to the limited soft-tissue contrast in this technique.

To assess the amount of reflux, we measured the reflux distance, defined as the distance of LEA in the APA, on reaching the maximal embolization extent (Fig 1C). The reflux distance at the end of the procedure was consciously not used because for most the procedures, the APA was finally embolized completely or near-completely because of repeat reflux.

Statistics

GraphPad Prism software (Version 7.02; GraphPad Software, San Diego, California) was used for data analysis. Quantitative data are presented as medians (lower quartile–upper quartile). To evaluate statistical differences among the study groups, we performed the Kruskal-Wallis test with a post hoc Dunn test with a P value of .05 as the threshold for statistical significance.

Results

All procedures were performed as planned. No event of technical failure, such as catheter occlusion or catheter entrapment, or indirect angiographic signs of vasotoxicity, such as embolization-induced vasospasm, were observed.

The results are summarized in the Table. A representative embolization procedure is shown in Fig 1.

Summary of the results^a

	PHIL 25% LV	Squid 12	Standard PHIL 25%	P Value
Total procedure time (s)	395 (310–528)	436 (430–501)	328 (239–479)	.386^b
Required volume of embolic agent (mL)	0.7 (0.7–0.9)	0.8 (0.7–0.9)	0.7 (0.6–0.7)	.121^b
Visibility	3 (3–3)	3 (3–3)	3 (3–3)	NA
Forward flow control	5 (5–5)	5 (5–5)	5 (5–5)	.335^b
Embolization extent (%)	87.7 (68.0–100)	64.6 (52.2–73.0)	60.4 (27.0–75.9)	.146^b
Reflux distance (mm)	8 (6–8)	6 (5–10)	17 (14–21)	.011^b
				>.999^c
				.049^d
				.017^e
Events of embolization distal to the RM per procedure (No.)	0 (0–1)	0 (0–0)	0 (0–0)	.527^b

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Note:—NA indicates that the P value was not available because all values are identical.

Data are presented as median (lower quartile–upper quartile).

Kruskal-Wallis test.

Post hoc Dunn test, PHIL 25% LV vs Squid 12.

Post hoc Dunn test, PHIL 25% LV vs standard PHIL 25%.

Post hoc Dunn test, Squid 12 vs. standard PHIL 25%.

All embolic agents were definitely visible on fluoroscopy and in x-ray (Fig 2). We observed a slightly better visibility for standard PHIL 25% compared with PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12.

The embolization extent (illustrated in Fig 3A) was not significantly different for the 3 study groups; however, there was a trend toward a higher embolization extent for PHIL 25% LV (medians: 87.7%, 64.6%, and 60.4%, respectively). For PHIL 25% LV and for Squid 12, but not for standard PHIL 25%, the first 3 injections were assessed as the most effective. These effective injections were not accompanied by reflux or were accompanied by only low amounts of reflux. After these effective injections, in most of the embolization procedures, there was repeat reflux until complete or near-complete filling of the APA with subsequent termination of the procedure.

The 3D distribution of the LEAs in HR-DVT showed a good correlation qualitatively to the 2D distribution of the LEAs in x-ray (Fig 4). There were no substantial differences for the 3 LEAs regarding their 3D distribution. For procedures with complete or near-complete filling, there was homogeneous enhancement of the RM, whereas for procedures with low-embolization extents, various filling defects were identified.

The reflux distance (illustrated in Fig 3B) was lower for PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12 compared with standard PHIL 25% (medians: 8, 6, and 17 mm, respectively; P = .011), however, with no difference between the extra-low-viscosity LEAs PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12.

For PHIL 25% LV and Squid for 12, there was 1 case of controlled low forward flow for each of them. For the remaining 7 procedures of these study groups and for all procedures of standard PHIL 25%, there was excellent flow control with no event of unwanted forward flow. The total number of events of embolization distal to the RM was n = 3 for PHIL 25% LV; n = 2 for Squid 12; and n = 2 for standard PHIL 25% without significant differences.

The total procedural time and the volume of embolic agent used were also not significantly different among the 3 study groups.

Discussion

In this experimental study, the new extra-low-viscosity LEA PHIL 25% LV was investigated in an acute in vivo embolization model. The embolization extent tended to be higher for PHIL 25% LV compared with Squid 12 and standard PHIL 25%, while both extra-low-viscosity LEAs (PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12) featured a significantly lower amount of reflux compared with standard PHIL 25%. All investigated embolic agents showed good flow control.

Several different concentrations are available for each of the currently commercially available precipitating, nonadhesive LEAs: a low-viscosity version (Onyx 18, Squid 18, and PHIL 25%), a medium-viscosity version (Onyx 20 and PHIL 30%), and a high-viscosity version (Onyx 34 and PHIL 35%). For the low-viscosity versions Onyx 18 and PHIL 25%, it was shown in the experimental setting that embolization characteristics and embolization extent are similar.^9,10 Also Squid 18 seems to show embolization features that are like those in the equally viscous Onyx 18.¹³ As initially indicated, of the commercially available precipitating, nonadhesive LEAs, Squid 12 is the only extra-low-viscosity version so far.

Intra- and postprocedural visibility in the angiography suite is a crucial requirement for the LEA being used.^18,19 Adequate visibility enables real-time embolization control and assessment of the current status of embolization (embolized and nonembolized portions of a lesion).^18,19 A decrease in viscosity could theoretically lead to a decrease in visibility. In this study, all investigated LEAs were definitely visible on fluoroscopy and x-ray. However, a slightly better visibility was noted for standard PHIL 25% compared with the extra-low-viscosity LEAs PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12. Considering that the porcine RM is a rather simple vascular structure with a homogeneous organization, in complex vascular pathologies with embolized and nonembolized blood vessels of different sizes overlapping each other, the visibility of these LEAs could be different.

In this study, the embolization extent was highest for PHIL 25% LV, followed by Squid 12 and standard PHIL 25%, however, without reaching statistical significance. Nevertheless, these results indicate that for selected vascular entities, extra-low-viscosity LEAs may be advantageous over the currently available standard low-viscosity LEAs (Onyx 18, Squid 18, and PHIL 25%). Naturally, the requirements for the respective LEA in terms of the adequate viscosity differ for different lesions with regard to type (eg, AVMs or dural arteriovenous fistulas), flow (eg, high-flow or low-flow), extent (eg, small or large lesions), and configuration of the vessels of the lesion (eg, large vessels, small vessels, or aneurysms).^20,21 For Squid 12, previous studies in the literature have already noted that penetration of the nidus may be more effective than with standard low-viscosity embolic agents, such as Squid 18 or Onyx 18.^13,22,23

Several advantages of PHIL over cyanoacrylates and ethylene-vinyl alcohol–based LEAs are discussed in the literature, including its ease of use, fast plug formation, consistent visibility, low artifacts on postinterventional CT, lower required volumes of LEA, and the lack of intraoperative hazards.^6,9,24,25 Given these potential advantages of the currently available versions of PHIL and the results of the present study, PHIL 25% LV appears to be an effective agent for endovascular embolization of selected pathologies.

We could show that the degree of reflux is significantly lower for the extra-low-viscosity LEAs PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12 compared with the standard PHIL 25%. This aspect can be highly relevant in clinical practice. Reflux carries the risk of closing the feeding artery prematurely and increases the probability of catheter entrapment; and especially in AVMs or dural arteriovenous fistulas with short feeding arteries, reflux increases the risk of unwanted embolization of arteries supplying healthy tissue, eventually leading to infarction.^18,26

In this study, for PHIL 25% LV and Squid 12, embolization was most effective with approximately the first 3 injections. Afterward, in most of the cases, reflux occurred and no more penetration of the RM, especially of the distal parts, was possible. Accordingly, there was actually no plug formation with consecutive effective embolization for the 2 extra-low-viscosity LEAs. This concern can potentially be solved using a dual-lumen micro-balloon catheter for prevention of reflux.^27,28 Another option is to use small amounts of the more viscous versions of these LEAs for plug formation with subsequent filling of the lesion with extra-low-viscosity LEAs in a manner similar to the pressure cooker technique.²⁹ This approach was already described in the literature with respect to Squid, using Squid 18 for the initial plug formation followed by embolization with Squid 12.¹³

A conceivable drawback of extra-low-viscosity LEAs is poor flow control and early distal embolization, which risks premature closing of the draining veins, potentially leading to intra- or postprocedural hemorrhage, or embolization of healthy tissue distal to the lesion to be treated, potentially leading to stroke.^27,30 In this experimental study, flow control was good and the frequency of embolization distal to the RM was low for all 3 LEAs. However, in clinical practice, due to the more complex angioarchitecture and different flow patterns of AVMs and dural arteriovenous fistulas, flow characteristics could be different and the risk of distal embolization could be higher for extra-low-viscosity LEAs, especially for lesions with high-flow shunts. Therefore, especially the first injections should be of low volume and with a high extent of caution concerning unwanted forward flow exceeding the distal parts of the treated lesion.

This study has limitations. First, PHIL 25% LV was only compared with 2 other LEAs. Comparison with other LEAs, such as Onyx 18, could have identified more characteristics and differences between PHIL 25% LV and the currently available embolic agents. However, as mentioned above, recent experimental studies showed that the embolization features of Onyx 18 and standard PHIL 25% are similar.^9,10 Accordingly, to reduce the number of required laboratory animals, the above-mentioned study groups were defined. Second, the number of experiments was relatively small; however, the findings were consistent in the different study groups. Third, the survival time after embolization was short, precluding a meaningful analysis on the biocompatibility of the LEAs. Fourth, the transferability of experimental models to clinical practice is generally limited. Fifth, the creation of an arteriovenous fistula would have made the embolization model more like an AVM. Sixth, the analysis of the embolization extent that was used in this study does not take into account central filling defects or the density of the LEA inside the RM.

Conclusions

PHIL 25% LV is a promising LEA for endovascular embolization, featuring effective distal penetration, adequate visibility, a low amount of reflux, and good flow control.

ABBREVIATIONS:

APA: ascending pharyngeal artery
HR-DVT: high-resolution digital volume tomography
LEA: liquid embolic agent
LV: low viscosity
RM: rete mirabile

Footnotes

Disclosures: Dominik F. Vollherbst—UNRELATED: Travel/Accommodations/Meeting Expenses Unrelated to Activities Listed: MicroVention and Stryker, Comments: Travel support*; OTHER RELATIONSHIPS: This study was technically supported by MicroVention. Christian Ulfert—UNRELATED: Travel/Accommodations/Meeting Expenses Unrelated to Activities Listed: MicroVention, Stryker*. Hans U. Kauczor—UNRELATED: Payment for Lectures Including Service on Speakers Bureaus: Siemens, Boehringer Ingelheim, Philips Healthcare, Bracco. Martin Bendszus—UNRELATED: Board Membership: Data and Safety Monitoring Board for Vascular Dynamics, Guerbet, Boehringer Ingelheim; Consultancy: Codman Neurovascular, Roche, Guerbet, Boehringer Ingelheim, Braun; Grants/Grants Pending: German Research Foundation Hopp Foundation, Novartis, Siemens, Guerbet, Stryker, Covidien, European Union*; Payment for Lectures Including Service on Speakers Bureaus: Novartis, Roche, Guerbet, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Bayer AG, Codman Neurovascular. Markus A. Möhlenbruch—UNRELATED: Board Membership: Codman Neurovascular; Consultancy: MicroVention, Medtronic, Stryker; Grants/Grants Pending: Balt, MicroVention*; Payment for Lectures Including Service on Speakers Bureaus: MicroVention, Medtronic, Stryker. *Money paid to the institution.

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PERMALINK

Investigation of a New Version of the Liquid Embolic Agent PHIL with Extra-Low-Viscosity in an Endovascular Embolization Model

DF Vollherbst

R Otto

M Hantz

C Ulfert

HU Kauczor

M Bendszus

CM Sommer

MA Möhlenbruch