Electronic Journal of Liver Tumor ›› 2025, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (4): 43-49.

• Nursing field • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Nationwide analysis of current nursing practices for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Liu Shuyue1, Huang Zhongying2, Li Jing3, Zhan Zhengyin4, Lei Juanjuan5, Zhang Tian6, Wen Zilu7, Zhang Yaojun1, Li Fuxia7,*   

  1. 1. Department of Liver Surgery, Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong, China;
    2. Department of Nursing Services, Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060,Guangdong,China;
    3. Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, Jiangsu, China;
    4. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital of Peking Union Medical College Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen 518116, Guangdong, China;
    5. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong, China;
    6. Second Digestive Endoscopy Treatment Ward, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, Liaoning, China;
    7. Oncology Ward 4, Shandong Provincial Hospital, First Medical University of Shandong, Jinan 250021, Shandong, China
  • Received:2025-04-16 Online:2025-12-30 Published:2026-01-16
  • Contact: * Li Fuxia, E-Mail:lifuxia123@126.com

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Abstract: Objective: To investigate the current status and key challenges of nursing practices for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in China.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the National HAIC Nursing Practice Questionnaire developed by the Integrated Nursing of Hepatobiliary Tumor Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. From October to December 2024, 83 hospitals across 24 provinces (autonomous regions/municipalities) in China were selected via convenience sampling. The questionnaire content includes the implementation institutions and nursing management status of HAIC, HAIC treatment plans, lower limb approaches, upper limb approaches, arterial port systems, and the current status of follow-up care.
Results: HAIC procedures were primarily performed in Interventional Therapy Department (96%, 80/83), with 76% (63/83) of patients managed in Hepatobiliary Department. The FOLFOX (Oxaliplatin+Calcium folinate+Fluorouracil) regimen was the dominant treatment protocol (84%, 70/83), and 52% (43/83) of hospitals combined HAIC with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Femoral artery access remained dominant (94%, 78/83), with 88% (73/83) requiring strictly limit bed confinement. Only 12% (10/83) permitted ambulation within 6 hours post-procedure. Upper-limb access (22%, 18/83) was valued for reducing bed rest requirements (94%) and complication risks (44%). Arterial port systems were implemented in 8% (7/83) of hospitals, but 5/7 exhibited nonstandard heparin concentrations during port maintenance.Only 40% (33/83) of hospitals provided post-discharge follow-up, predominantly via telephone (63%, 21/33) or WeChat (29%, 9/33), with intelligent management systems remaining underutilized.
Conclusion: HAIC nursing in China faces challenges including nonstandard technical protocols, excessive postoperative activity restrictions, and underdeveloped continuity of care systems. Establishing evidence-based guidelines, optimizing access strategies, and advancing intelligent follow-up frameworks are urgently needed to enhance treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

Key words: Hepatic artery perfusion chemotherapy, Upper limb artery approach, Lower limb artery approach, Radial artery approach, Arterial drug kit, Extended nursing care