Hepatic Artery Variations Analyzed in 1141 Patients Undergoing Digital Subtraction Angiography

Abstract Background: The hepatic artery has several variations that can be observed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In recent years, clinical studies have continued to explore its diversity, leading to the discovery of rare variations and the development of new classifications.Methods: Institutional Review Board approval was attained. This retrospective study was based on analysis of DSA images in 1141 patients who were pathologically or clinically diagnosed with liver tumor from May 2015 to December 2019. All patients involved in this study had undergone hepatic arteriography at our hospital. The study aimed to complete angiographic assessments of the left gastric artery (LGA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and HA, which supply the liver parenchyma. Results: It was worth mentioning that we found five new cases of hepatic artery variations. The four major types of hepatic artery anatomy were identified. Normal hepatic artery anatomy was pointed in 871 (76.3%) of 1141 patients, and the incidence of hepatic artery variation was 270 (23.7%) cases. Variation in hepatic artery origin was identified in 240 (21.1%) cases. Variation in bifurcation was identified in 18 (1.6%) cases. Three (0.5%) cases had synchronized bifurcate and variation of origin, which has not been reported previously. Conclusion: Hepatic artery variation have diversity and complexity. The known and newly is covered variations were thoroughly analyzed in detail, which has important clinical significance for hepatobiliary surgeries and interventional operations.