The use of swine for teaching purposes in medicine and surgery has largely increased in recent years. Detailed knowledge of the porcine anatomy and physiology is a prerequisite for proper use of pigs as a teaching or an experimental model in interventional radiology. A systematic study of the radiological anatomy was undertaken in more than 100 female pigs aged 6-8 weeks. All studies were performed under general anesthesia in a single session. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study. Selective angiographies were systematically obtained in all anatomical territories. In other animals CT and MRI examinations were performed and were correlated to anatomical sections and acrylic casts of the vascular structures. Endoscopical examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including retrograde opacification of the biliary and pancreatic ducts, were added in selected animals. The main angiographic aspects of the brain, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were recorded. Similarities and differences in comparison with human anatomy are stressed. Potential applications in interventional radiology are indicated.

Transcatheter embolization is safe and effective in the management of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.

The short-and mid-term hemodynamic effects of atrial gradient resulting from this procedure is associtransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) ated with an increase in cardiac index (CI), secondary were studied in 16 sedated cirrhotic patients. Indica-to increased venous return and decreased systemic vastions included relapsing variceal bleeding (n Å 10) and cular resistance (SVR). A transient increase of pulmorefractory ascites (n Å 6). The decrease of porto-atrial nary pressures has also been observed.2 These hemodypressure gradient (from 20.4 { 4.2 mm Hg to 10.1 { 2.4 namic changes can worsen the preexisting hyperkinetic mm Hg; P õ .05) was associated with an increase of mean syndrome of cirrhotic patients. Therefore, it has been pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) (from 12.3 { 3.0 mm suggested that this procedure should be considered which also decreased but remained significantly in-ators released by the liver could also be involved. creased. One month after TIPS, pulmonary pressure re-We analyzed the hemodynamic effects of TIPS in semained elevated, and CI further increased. It is con-dated, spontaneously breathing patients, with special cluded that increased PVR is the major hemodynamic attention to RV function, using a modified pulmonary alteration occurring after TIPS placement. It correlates artery catheter allowing the determination of RV ejecwith the decrease of porto-atrial gradient and is proba-tion fraction (RVEF) and volumes. The reversibility of bly mediated by both mechanical and neurohumoral fac-hemodynamic effects was studied by transient TIPS were given before the procedure together with the premedica-

The short- and mid-term hemodynamic effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) were studied in 16 sedated cirrhotic patients. Indications included relapsing variceal bleeding (n = 10) and refractory ascites (n = 6). The decrease of porto-atrial pressure gradient (from 20.4 +/- 4.2 mm Hg to 10.1 +/- 2.4 mmHg; P < .05) was associated with an increase of mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) (from 12.3 +/- 3.0 mm Hg to 20.3 +/- 5.3 mm Hg; P < .05) and of right atrial pressure (RAP) from 3.4 +/- 2.6 mm Hg to 8.3 +/- 3.7 mm Hg; P < .05), whereas right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDVI) remained unchanged. The significant increase of cardiac index (CI) (from 4.5 +/- 1.2 L/min/m2 to 5.0 +/- 1.1 L/min/m2; P < .05) was essentially attributable to an increase of heart rate (HR) (from 81 +/- 11 to 88 +/- 10 beats/min; P < .05). Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased (from 812 +/- 281 to 666 +/- 191 dynes/sec/cm5; P < .05), whereas pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) increased (from 60.6 +/- 29.6 to 82.0 +/- 34.6 dynes/sec/cm5; P < .05). After transient shunt occlusion with a balloon catheter, all of the hemodynamic parameters returned to baseline values, except pulmonary artery pressure, which also decreased but remained significantly increased. One month after TIPS, pulmonary pressure remained elevated, and CI further increased. It is concluded that increased PVR is the major hemodynamic alteration occurring after TIPS placement. It correlates with the decrease of porto-atrial gradient and is probably mediated by both mechanical and neurohumoral factors.