Therapeutic response and prognostic factors of 14 dogs undergoing transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular masses: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the therapeutic effect and outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatic masses is limited in veterinary medicine. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the therapeutic response, outcome (overall survival), and their predictors in dogs that underwent TAE for primary hepatocellular masses. We hypothesized that larger pre‐TAE tumors would be associated with worse outcomes. ANIMALS: Fourteen client‐owned dogs. METHODS: Retrospective study. Medical records between 1 September 2016 and 30 April 2022 were reviewed to identify dogs treated with TAE for hepatic masses diagnosed as hepatocellular origin by cytological or histopathological examination. Computed tomography images were compared before and after TAE. The univariate Cox proportional hazards test was performed to assess the associations between variables and survival. Univariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between variables and the tumor reduction percentage: ([post‐TAE volume − pre‐TAE volume]/pre‐TAE volume) × 100. RESULTS: The median survival time was 419 days (95% confidence interval, 82‐474). History of intra‐abdominal hemorrhage (P = .03) and pre‐TAE tumor volume/body weight (P = .009) were significantly associated with overall survival. The mean reduction percentage was −51% ± 40%. Pre‐TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio (cm(3)/kg; P = .02, correlation coefficient = 0.704) was significantly correlated with the volume reduction percentage. CONCLUSIONS: History of intra‐abdominal hemorrhage and large pre‐TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio could be predictive factors for adverse outcomes after TAE. Pre‐TAE tumor volume/body weight ratio could be a predictive factor for therapeutic effect.