Endovascular Repair of Arterial Iliac Vessel Wall Lesions with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent Graft System

Objective

To assess the therapeutic outcome after endovascular repair of iliac arterial lesions (IALs) using a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft system.

Methods

Between July 2006 and March 2013, 16 patients (13 males, mean age: 68 years) with a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft. A total of 19 lesions were treated: nine true aneurysms, two anastomotic aneurysms, two dissections, one arteriovenous fistula, two type 1B endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair, one pseudoaneurysm, and two perforations after angioplasty. Pre-, intra-, and postinterventional imaging studies and the medical records were analyzed for technical and clinical success and postinterventional complications.

Results

The primary technical and clinical success rate was 81.3% (13/16 patients) and 75.0% (12/16), respectively. Two patients had technical failure due to persistent type 1A endoleak and another patient due to acute stent graft thrombosis. One patient showed severe stent graft kinking on the first postinterventional day. In two patients, a second intervention was performed. The secondary technical and clinical success rate was 87.5% (14/16) and 93.8% (15/16). The minor complication rate was 6.3% (patient with painful hematoma at the access site). The major complication rate was 6.3% (patient with ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis). During median follow-up of 22.4 months, an infection of the aneurysm sac in one patient and a stent graft thrombosis in another patient were observed.

Conclusion

Endovascular repair of various IALs with a self-expandable Nitinol stent graft is safe and effective.     

Gender-related differences in octogenarians with congenital coronary artery fistula: a report of two cases and a review

Aim

To highlight gender-related differences in octogenarians with a congenital coronary artery fistula (CAF).

Materials and methods

We present two elderly female patients with a congenital fistula, a septuagenarian and a nonagenarian, and review the world literature between 1954–2010.

Results

The septuagenarian patient presented with easy fatigability and the nonagenarian patient with acute myocardial infarction contralaterally to the fistula. Coronary angiography (CAG) demonstrated a coronary-pulmonary artery fistula (CPF). The nonagenarian patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of the right coronary artery. CAG revealed a CPF associated with a huge multiple aneurysmal formation. Data from 57 mainly symptomatic patients with a mean age of 75.3 years (range 70–87 years) were collected. The cohort was subdivided into female (mean age 84.3 years) and male (mean age 75.2 years) subgroups and compared with each other. Multi-origin (bilateral and multilateral) was prevalent in females, 40% versus 12% in males. Aneurysmal formation was found in females and males in 40% and 18%, respectively. Ethnicity was 65% Caucasian and 35% Asian. Multi-origin fistulas were prevalent in the Asian (45%) compared with the Caucasian (11%) subset.

Conclusions

A septuagenarian and a nonagenarian female patient with congenital CAF are presented. On reviewing the literature, important differences were found between elderly females and males with congenital CAF.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic approach of congenital solitary coronary artery fistulas in adults: Dutch case series and review of literature

Background

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are infrequent anomalies, coincidentally detected during coronary angiography (CAG).

Aim

To elucidate the currently used diagnostic imaging modalities and applied therapeutic approaches.

Materials and Methods

Five Dutch patients were found to have CAFs. A total of 170 reviewed subjects were subdivided into two comparable groups of 85 each, treated with either percutaneous ‘therapeutic’ embolisation (PTE group) or surgical ligation (SL group).

Results

In our series, the fistulas were visualised with several diagnostic imaging tests using echocardiography, multidetector computed tomography, and CAG. Four fistulas were unilateral and one was bilateral; five originated from the left and one originated from the right coronary artery. Among the reviewed subjects, high success rates were found in both treatment groups (SL: 97% and PTE: 93%). Associated congenital or acquired cardiovascular disorders were frequently present in the SL group (23%). Bilateral fistulas were present in 11% of the SL group versus 1% of the PTE group. The fistula was ligated surgically in one and abolished percutaneously in another. Medical treatment including metoprolol was conducted in two, and watchful waiting follow-up was performed in one.

Conclusions

Several diagnostic imaging techniques are available for assessment of the anatomical and functional characteristics of CAFs.     

Evaluation of ultrasound lung comets by hand-held echocardiography

Background

Most patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have asymmetric septal hypertrophy and among them, 25% present dynamic subaortic obstruction. Apical HCM is unusual and mid-ventricular HCM is the most infrequent presentation, but both variants may be associated to an apical aneurysm. An even more rare presentation is the coexistece mid-ventricular and apical HCM. This case is a combination of obstructive HCM with mid-ventricular HCM and an apical aneurysm, which to date, has not been reported in the literature.

Case presentation

The patient is a 49 year-old lady who presents a combination of septal asymmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and midventricular HCM, a subaortic gradient of 65 mm Hg and a midventricular gradient of 20 mm Hg, plus an apical aneurysm. Her clinical presentation was an acute myocardial infarction in June 2005. One month after hospital discharge, the electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a right bundle branch block (RBBB) with no Q waves or ST segment elevation. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, left ventricular hypertrophy and an apical aneurysm.

Conclusion

This case is a rare example of an asymptomatic patient with subaortic and mid-ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who presents a myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries, and during the course of her disease develops an apical aneurysm.     

Thoracic aorta dissection associated with aberrant right subclavian artery: treatment with endovascular stent-graft placement

Dissecting aneurysm is the condition produced by separation of the layers of the arterial wall by circulating blood. Although rare, the coexistence of aortic dissection and aberrant right subclavian artery may be catastrophic. In this study we report the endovascular treatment of a patient with thoracic aorta dissection associated with aberrant right subclavian artery. Aortic clamping proximal to the left subclavian artery in a patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery slows or eliminates flow to both vertebral arteries. Endovascular repair eliminates the complications associated with aortic clamping during surgical repair in the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery; therefore, it should be considered the treatment of choice in this situation.     

Les fistules péniennes urétrocutanées postcirconcision: à propos de 85 cas

Purpose

To assess clinical and therapeutic aspects of penile urethral fistula following circumcision in our daily urological practice.

Patients and methods

We carried out a retrospective study of cases of penile fistula between 1990 and 2007.

Results

A series of 85 cases is reported. The mean age was 10.7 years (15 months-38 months). The circumcision was performed by paramedical persons in the majority of cases. The mean period elapsing before consultation was 4.1 ± 5.3 years (range: 1 week-28 years). The fistula was associated with partial amputation of the glans penis in one case, and with urethral meatus stenosis in three cases. The surgical treatment was layered repair in the majority of cases. The average follow-up was 3.35 years (range: 2 months-8 years). Overall results were satisfactory in 81.2% of cases.

Conclusions

Penile fistula due to circumcision is common in our region. Its management is codified but there is a significant risk of failure, making prevention even more important.     

Priapisme aigu drépanocytaire: analyse de 20 cas traités au CHU de Brazzaville

Objective

To evaluate the results of medical and surgical treatment of sickle cell priapism.

Patients and methods

Between 01 January, 1995 and 31 December, 2005, 20 patients were treated for priapism in the services of Urology-Andrology and Haematology of the University Hospital, Brazzaville. Treatment included intracavernous injection of etilefrine and cavernospongious fistula.

Results

1) Five patients initially treated with transfusion and oral etilefrine without success were successfully cured after using the technique of Winter. 2) In 5 patients treated with intracavernous injection of etilefrine as first-line, 3 were cured and two failed, who were later cured using the technique of Winter. 3) Of 10 patients treated by Winter cavernospongious fistulas as first-line, 3 had recurrences and secondarily were successfully treated by the method of Al-Ghorab. Functional results in the long term include 25% lack of erection, 25% of erection failure and 50% of normal erection.

Conclusion

Treatment with intracavernous injection of etilefrine is effective before the 24th hour. Beyond this time, cavernospongious fistula yield better results.     

Stent implantation for a totally occluded right coronary artery in a six-year-old boy after Kawasaki disease: a case report

Introduction

Coronary stenting has previously been considered to be less feasible in children under 12 years old due to the limitation of vascular access. We report the case of a six-year-old boy who successfully underwent stent implantation for his totally occluded right coronary artery.

Case presentation

A Taiwanese boy aged six years and nine months old was found to have giant aneurysms after an acute episode of Kawasaki disease. An angiography revealed that his middle right coronary artery was totally occluded. A 0.014-inch guidewire was advanced to cross the totally occluded site. After pre-dilating the middle portion of his right coronary artery with a 1.5 mm balloon, stenting of his right coronary artery was accomplished using a 2.5 × 28 mm and a 2.5 × 18 mm bare metal stent. A final angiography demonstrated no residual stenosis or dissection.

Conclusion

Coronary stenting could be a therapeutic option for children as young as six years old. Close follow-up is mandatory because the long-term outcome is still unclear, especially in a small child.     

腔内修复术治疗腹主动脉瘤的临床疗效分析

目的:评价腔内修复术(EVAR)治疗腹主动脉瘤(AAA)的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择2008年12月至2013年12月收治的29例AAA患者,给予EVAR治疗,观察其围术期的疗效及血管破裂死亡、伤口愈合情况、截瘫、腔内隔绝术后并发症的发生情况和随访期疗效及血管破裂死亡、截瘫及内漏的发生情况。结果:29例手术均成功,1例术后3天出现右髂动脉支架内血栓、消化道出血及肝肾功能衰竭,行持续性血液净化好转出院。2例术区切口愈合延迟,9例术后发热,无在院死亡及截瘫病患。随访期间,1例术后30天死亡,死于肝肾功能衰竭;1例3个月出现肾功能不全;1例双下肢乏力,无截瘫发生。存活的28例患者复查增强CT见支架位置、形态良好,无移位及内漏发生。结论:EVAR具有成功率高、创伤小、恢复快等特点,且并发症少,治疗AAA安全有效。     

Arteriovenous fistula after intervertebral disk surgery at L4-L5

We describe a 34-year-old woman who had symptoms of heart failure due to an arteriovenous fistula between the right iliac artery and the inferior vena cava caused by surgery for a herniated intervertebral disk. The literature is reviewed. An intra-arterial placed covered stent was successfully used to close the fistula.     

Evaluation of clinical, laboratory and morphologic prognostic factors in colon cancer

Background

Postoperative pancreas fistula (POPF) is a major complication after total gastrectomy with splenectomy. We retrospectively studied the effects of upper abdominal shape on the development of POPF after gastrectomy.

Methods

Fifty patients who underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy were studied. The maximum vertical distance measured by computed tomography (CT) between the anterior abdominal skin and the back skin (U-APD) and the maximum horizontal distance of a plane at a right angle to U-APD (U-TD) were measured at the umbilicus. The distance between the anterior abdominal skin and the root of the celiac artery (CAD) and the distance of a horizontal plane at a right angle to CAD (CATD) were measured at the root of the celiac artery. The CA depth ratio (CAD/CATD) was calculated.

Results

POPF occurred in 7 patients (14.0%) and was associated with a higher BMI, longer CAD, and higher CA depth ratio. However, CATD, U-APD, and U-TD did not differ significantly between patients with and those without POPF. Logistic-regression analysis revealed that a high BMI (≥25) and a high CA depth ratio (≥0.370) independently predicted the occurrence of POPF (odds ratio = 19.007, p = 0.002; odds ratio = 13.656, p = 0.038, respectively).

Conclusion

Surgical procedures such as total gastrectomy with splenectomy should be very carefully executed in obese patients or patients with a deep abdominal cavity to decrease the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula. BMI and body shape can predict the risk of POPF simply by CT.     

A comparison of balloon injury models of endovascular lesions in rat arteries

Background

Balloon injury (BI) of the rat carotid artery (CCA) is widely used to study intimal hyperplasia (IH) and decrease in lumen diameter (LD), but CCA's small diameter impedes the evaluation of endovascular therapies. Therefore, we validated BI in the aorta (AA) and iliac artery (CIA) to compare it with CCA.

Methods

Rats underwent BI or a sham procedure (control). Light microscopic evaluation was performed either directly or at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 16 weeks follow-up. The area of IH and the change in LD (LD at 16 weeks minus LD post BI) were compared.

Results

In the BI-groups the area of IH increased to 0.14 ± 0.08 mm² (CCA), 0.14 ± 0.03 mm² (CIA) and 0.12 ± 0.04 mm² (AA) at 16 weeks (NS). The LD decreased with 0.49 ± 0.07 mm (CCA), compared to 0.22 ± 0.07 mm (CIA) and 0.07 ± 0.10 mm (AA) at 16 weeks (p < 0.05). The constrictive vascular remodelling (CVR = wall circumference loss combined with a decrease in LD) was -0.17 ± 0.05 mm in CIA but absent in CCA and AA. No IH, no decrease in LD and no CVR was seen in the control groups.

Conclusions

BI resulted in: (1.) a decrease in LD in CCA due to IH, (2.) a decrease in LD in CIA due to IH and CVR, (3.) no change in LD in AA, (4.) Comparable IH development in all arteries, (5.) CCA has no vasa vasorum compared to CIA and AA, (6.) The CIA model combines good access for 2 F endovascular catheters with a decrease in LD due to IH and CVR after BI.     

Fabrication and in vitro deployment of a laser-activated shape memory polymer vascular stent

Background

Vascular stents are small tubular scaffolds used in the treatment of arterial stenosis (narrowing of the vessel). Most vascular stents are metallic and are deployed either by balloon expansion or by self-expansion. A shape memory polymer (SMP) stent may enhance flexibility, compliance, and drug elution compared to its current metallic counterparts. The purpose of this study was to describe the fabrication of a laser-activated SMP stent and demonstrate photothermal expansion of the stent in an in vitro artery model.

Methods

A novel SMP stent was fabricated from thermoplastic polyurethane. A solid SMP tube formed by dip coating a stainless steel pin was laser-etched to create the mesh pattern of the finished stent. The stent was crimped over a fiber-optic cylindrical light diffuser coupled to an infrared diode laser. Photothermal actuation of the stent was performed in a water-filled mock artery.

Results

At a physiological flow rate, the stent did not fully expand at the maximum laser power (8.6 W) due to convective cooling. However, under zero flow, simulating the technique of endovascular flow occlusion, complete laser actuation was achieved in the mock artery at a laser power of ~8 W.

Conclusion

We have shown the design and fabrication of an SMP stent and a means of light delivery for photothermal actuation. Though further studies are required to optimize the device and assess thermal tissue damage, photothermal actuation of the SMP stent was demonstrated.     

Urgent endovascular ligature of a ruptured splenic artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with acute pancreatitis: a case report

Introduction

We report on the successful endovascular treatment of a ruptured splenic artery pseudoaneurysm. Our patient had acute pancreatitis superimposed on chronic calcific pancreatitis and chronic renal impairment. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used to assess post-embolization results.

Case presentation

Our patient was a 67-year-old white Caucasian man with recurrent pancreatitis. Computed tomography angiography showed a pancreatic pseudocyst with a ruptured pseudoaneurysm, which was successfully embolized using an endovascular percutaneous approach. At six months, persistent renal failure led to contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. This confirmed the absence of turbulent blood flow and extravasation of contrast medium in the pseudocyst.

Conclusion

Our experience with this case leads us to support the role of interventional radiology as a first-line treatment tool. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can be used to follow-up embolization procedures in patients with impaired renal function.     

Coronary artery-bronchial artery fistulas: report of two Dutch cases with a review of the literature

Background

Coronary bronchial artery fistulas (CBFs) are rare anomalies, which may be isolated or associated with other disorders.

Materials and methods

Two adult patients with CBFs are described and a PubMed search was performed using the keywords “coronary bronchial artery fistulas” in the period from 2008 to 2013.

Results

Twenty-seven reviewed subjects resulting in a total of 31 fistulas were collected. Asymptomatic presentation was reported in 5 subjects (19 %), chest pain (n = 17) was frequently present followed by haemoptysis (n = 7) and dyspnoea (n = 5). Concomitant disorders were bronchiectasis (44 %), diabetes (33 %) and hypertension (28 %). Multimodality and single-modality diagnostic strategies were applied in 56 % and 44 %, respectively. The origin of the CBFs was the left circumflex artery in 61 %, the right coronary artery in 36 % and the left anterior descending artery in 3 %. Management was conservative (22 %), surgical ligation (11 %), percutaneous transcatheter embolisation (30 %), awaiting lung transplantation (7 %) or not reported (30 %).

Conclusions

CBFs may remain clinically silent, or present with chest pain or haemoptysis. CBFs are commonly associated with bronchiectasis and usually require a multimodality approach to be diagnosed. Several treatment strategies are available. This report presents two adult cases with CBFs and a review of the literature.     

Novel biaxial tensile test for studying aortic failure phenomena at a microscopic level

Background

An aortic aneurysm is a local dilation of the aorta, which tends to expand and often results in a fatal rupture. Although larger aneurysms have a greater risk of rupture, some small aneurysms also rupture. Since the mechanism of aortic rupture is not well understood, clarification of the microstructure influencing the failure to rupture is important. Since aortic tissues are stretched biaxially in vivo, we developed a technique to microscopically observe the failure of an aortic rupture during biaxial stretch.

Methods

A thinly sliced porcine thoracic aortic specimen was adhered to a circular frame and pushed onto a cylinder with a smaller diameter to stretch the specimen biaxially. To induce failure to rupture at the center, the specimen was thinned at the center of the hole as follows: the specimen was frozen while being compressed with metal plates having holes, which were 3 mm in diameter at their centers; the specimen was then sliced at 50-μm intervals and thawed.

Results

The ratio of the thickness at the center to the peripheral area was 99.5% for uncompressed specimens. The ratio decreased with an increase in the compression ratio ε _c and was 47.3% for specimens with ε _c = 40%. All specimens could be stretched until failure to rupture. The probability for crack initiation within the cylinder was <30% and 100% for specimens with ε _c <10% and ε _c >30%, respectively. Among specimens ruptured within the cylinder, 93% of those obtained from the mid-media showed crack initiation at the thin center area.

Conclusions

Aortic tissues were successfully stretched biaxially until failure, and their crack initiation points were successfully observed under a microscope. This could be a very useful and powerful method for clarifying the mechanism of aortic rupture. We are planning to use this technique for a detailed investigation of events occurring at the point of failure when the crack initiates in the aortic aneurysm wall.     

“Shaeer’s vasovasostomy” for bypassing inguinal obstruction of the vas deferens: intra-peritoneal versus extraperitoneal approaches

Introduction

Latrogenic obstruction of the vas deferens within the inguinal canal can be managed by direct onsite vasovasostomy. However, in cases with large defect of the vas, the anastomosis may be under tension. Dissecting through the site of a previous hernia repair is tedious, and may lead to recurrence of the hernia.

Aim of the Work

The present work reports on an alternative technique that avoids the latter drawbacks.

Patients and Methods

A total of 15 patients with azoospermia due to inguinal obstruction of the vas deferens underwent bilateral repair. Ten cases were operated upon using the classical transperitoneal approach. Under laparoscopic vision, the pelvic vas was rendered intraperitoneal and its lateral-most end was clipped at the internal inguinal ring, cut and extruded from the abdomen through a port in the external inguinal ring. Vasovasostomy was performed, bridging the retrieved stump of the pelvic vas with the scrotal vas. Five patients were operated upon through the extraperitoneal approach.

Results

By the end of one year. Nine out of the 15 cases showed an average sperm concentration of 17±3.5 million/ml.

Conclusion

Pelvi-scrotal vasovasostomy (PSVV) or Shaeer’s vasovasostomy can be offered as a cost-effective and successful alternative or supplement to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), for cases with iatrogenic large defects of the vas deferens within the inguinal canal. The transperitoneal approach is more convenient in post-herniotomy and post-herniorrhaphy cases.     

Predictors and Treatments of Proglide-Related Complications in Percutaneous Endovascular Aortic Repair

Purpose

To investigate the predictors and treatment of the 6-Fr Perclose Proglide-related complications (PRC) in percutaneous endovascular aortic repair (pEVAR).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the PRC after pEVAR for the treatment of aortic aneurysm or dissection in our center from December 2012 to November 2013. Procedure success was defined as effective functioning of the two devices and local hemostasis. Access-related adverse events included vascular complications and device failures. Operative data and angiographic and computed tomography images were collected to assess the complications and treatment strategy.

Results

A total of 198 patients with 275 puncture sites underwent pEVAR with the 6-Fr Perclose Proglide. The procedure was successful in 178 patients (89.9%), whereas PRC occurred in 20 cases (10.1%), including 10 device failures and 10 vascular complications. An extra manual ancillary compression was conducted in 7 patients, one more device was used in 8 patients, and surgical repair of the femoral artery was performed in 5 patients. PRC had a tendency to occur in patients with body mass index (BMI)>30 kg/m² (p = 0.021), thoracic stent grafts (p = 0.038), common femoral artery (CFA) calcification (p = 0.001), CFA depth>4 cm (p = 0.001), and sheath size>20Fr (p = 0.005). Device failure-related mortality was zero. None of the access sites had complications during the midterm follow-up.

Conclusions

The pre-close technique with 6-Fr Perclose Proglide devices for pEVAR appears to be safe and effective with low technical failure and complication rates. Careful patient selection and proficiency in device manipulation might reduce the device related complications.     

“La vasovasostomie de Shaeer”: comparaison de la voie intra-péritoneale et voie extra-péritoneale en cas d’obstruction inguinale du canal déférent

Introduction

Iatrogenic obstruction of the vas deferens within the inguinal canal can be managed by direct onsite vasovasostomy. However, in cases with large defect of the vas, the anastomosis may be under tension. Dissecting through the site of a previous hernia repair is tedious, and may lead to recurrence of the hernia.

Aim of the Work

The present work reports on an alternative technique that avoids the latter drawbacks.

Patients and Methods

A total of 15 patients with azoospermia due to inguinal obstruction of the vas deferens underwent bilateral repair. Ten cases were operated upon using the classical transperitoneal approach. Under laparoscopic vision, the pelvic vas was rendered intra-peritoneal and its lateral-most end was clipped at the internal inguinal ring, cut and extruded from the abdomen through a port in the external inguinal ring. Vasovasostomy was performed, bridging the retrieved stump of the pelvic vas with the scrotal vas. Five patients were operated upon through the extraperitoneal approach.

Results

By the end of one year. Nine out of the 15 cases showed an average sperm concentration of 17±3.5 million/ml.

Conclusion

Pelvi-scrotal vasovasostomy (PSVV) or Shaeer’s vasovasostomy can be offered as a cost-effective and successful alternative or supplement to intracyto-plasmic sperm injection (ICSI), for cases with iatrogenic large defects of the vas deferens within the inguinal canal. The transperitoneal approach is more convenient in postherniotomy and post-herniorrhaphy cases.     

Effect of repaglinide on endothelial dysfunction during a glucose tolerance test in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

Background

Secondary treatment of arteriosclerosis may be applicable for the primary prevention of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. This prospective, 2-year follow-up study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet therapy in the prevention of atherosclerosis of diabetic subjects.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes and arteriosclerosis obliterans from the Eastern Asian countries were registered online and randomly assigned either to the aspirin group (81–100 mg/day) or the cilostazol group (100–200 mg/day) in this international, 2-year, prospective follow-up interventional study.

Results

The primary study endpoint was changes in right and left maximum intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. Secondary endpoints include changes in right and left maximum intima-media thickness of the internal carotid artery; semiquantitative evaluation of cerebral infarction by magnetic resonance imaging; cardiovascular events including sudden death, stroke, transient cerebral ischemic attacks, acute myocardial infarction, angina, and progression of arteriosclerosis obliterans; overall death; withdrawal; and change in ankle-brachial pressure index.

Conclusion

This is the first study to use an online system that was developed in Asian countries for pooling data from an international clinical trial. These findings are expected to help in the prevention of diabetic atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.