Effects of temperature alteration on viscosity, polymerization, and in-vivo arterial distribution of N-butyl cyanoacrylate-iodized oil mixtures

PURPOSE: Temperature alteration can modify the polymerization of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-iodized oil mixtures during vascular embolization; its effects on viscosity, polymerization time, and intra-arterial distribution of the NBCA-iodized oil mixture were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, the viscosities of NBCA, iodized oil, and NBCA-iodized oil mixtures (ratio, 1:1-8) were measured at 4-60 ºC using a rotational rheometer. The polymerization times (from contact with blood plasma to stasis) were recorded at 0-60 ºC using a high-speed video camera. In vivo, the 1:2 mixture was injected into rabbit renal arteries at 0, 20, and 60 ºC; intra-arterial distribution of the mixture was pathologically evaluated. RESULTS: The mixtures' viscosities decreased as temperature increased; those at 60 ºC were almost four to five times lower than those at 4 ºC. The polymerization time of NBCA and the 1:1-4 mixtures increased as temperature decreased in the 0-30 ºC range; the degree of time prolongation increased as the percentage of iodized oil decreased. The 0 ºC group demonstrated distributions of the mixture within more peripheral arterial branches than the 20 and 60 ºC groups. CONCLUSION: Warming reduces the mixture's viscosity; cooling prolongs polymerization. Both can be potential factors to improve the handling of NBCA-iodized oil mixtures for lesions requiring peripheral delivery. Temperature alteration influences the polymerization time, viscosity, and intra-arterial distribution of NBCA-iodized oil mixtures. Warming reduces the viscosity of the mixture, while cooling prolongs polymerization.