Dr. Charles Nutting

A pressure directed device may help increase control of Y90 radioembolization delivery to the tumor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Having performed around 200 pressure directed procedures, Dr. Nutting describes his use of Surefire’s guide catheter and microcatheters when working with the Surefire Infusion System.

When treating HCC with Y90 radioembolization, a hypovascular tumor with low visibility on angiogram can indicate that a pressure directed device may help to deliver more of the intended dose to the tumor. Studies have shown that pressure directed devices increase tumor uptake and decrease non-target embolization.

The goal of Y90 radioembolization is to deliver the full dose of therapeutic to the tumor. Pressure directed therapy intermittently stops arterial flow and pushes therapeutic into the tumor using pressure that builds up during infusion, overcoming some of the technical limitations of end-hole catheters.