Portal Vein Embolization: State-of-the-Art Technique and Options to Improve Liver Hypertrophy

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is associated with a high technical and clinical success rate for induction of future liver remnant hypertrophy prior to surgical resection. The degree of hypertrophy is variable and depends on multiple factors, including technical aspects of the procedure and underlying chronic liver disease. For patients with insufficient liver volume following PVE, adjunctive techniques, such as intra-portal administration of stem cells, dietary supplementation, transarterial embolization, and hepatic vein embolization, are available. Our purpose is to review the state-of-the-art technique associated with high-quality PVE and to discuss options to improve hypertrophy of the future liver remnant.