Changes in the National Endovascular Management of Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease: An Analysis of the 2011–2019 Medicare Data

PurposeTo describe national trends in the utilization of endovascular approaches (including balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent placement) for the management of femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD).Materials and MethodsThe Medicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary dataset containing 100% of Part B claims was interrogated for years 2011–2019. The Current Procedural Terminology codes specific for femoropopliteal angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy were used to create summary statistics for utilization by year, place of service (hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and office-based laboratory), and provider specialty (cardiology, radiology, and surgery).ResultsThe use of atherectomy increased from 34,732 (33%) procedures in 2011 to 75,435 (53%) procedures in 2019, and atherectomy became the dominant treatment strategy for femoropopliteal PAD. The relative utilization of stent placement (36,793 [35%] to 28,899 [20%]) and angioplasty only (34,398 [32%] to 38,228 [27%]) decreased concomitantly from 2011 to 2019. By 2019, the use of atherectomy was twofold higher in office-based laboratories than in the outpatient hospital setting (44,767 and 20,901, respectively). Treatment strategy varied by provider specialty in 2011 when cardiologists used atherectomy most frequently (17,925 [43%]), whereas radiologists used angioplasty alone (5,928 [6%]) and surgeons stented (18,009 [37%]) most frequently. By 2019, all specialties utilized atherectomy most frequently (29,564 [59%] for cardiology, 10,912 [58%] radiology, and 33,649 [47%] surgery).ConclusionsThe national approach to endovascular management of femoropopliteal PAD has changed since 2011 toward an implant-free strategy, including a multifold increase in the use of atherectomy. Discordant rates of atherectomy use between the ambulatory hospital and office-based settings highlight the need for comparative effectiveness studies to guide management.     

经支气管镜介入治疗气管支气管结核的效果

目的 探讨对气管支气管结核患者选择经支气管镜介入+抗结核药物治疗后获得的临床效果.方法 选择医院2017年3月—2019年4月收治的78例气管支气管结核患者作为试验对象;数字奇偶法分组后探究每组治疗方法;比照组(39例):选择抗结核药物展开疾病治疗;试验组(39例):选择经支气管镜介入+抗结核药物展开疾病治疗;最终就组间气管支气管结核组间治疗结果 差异展开对比.结果 试验组气管支气管结核患者治疗总有效率(97.44%)高于比照组(74.36%)明显(P<0.05).结论 气管支气管结核患者于临床接受经支气管镜介入+抗结核药物治疗后,利于结核疗效提升,可促进气管支气管结核患者康复进程缩短.     

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta: A Review for Emergency Clinicians

BackgroundNon-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is difficult to control and associated with significant mortality. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) utilizes an infra-diaphragmatic approach to control NCTH and is less invasive than resuscitative thoracotomy (RT). This article highlights the evidence for REBOA and provides an overview of the indications, procedural steps, and complications in adults for emergency clinicians.DiscussionTraumatic hemorrhage can be life threatening. Patients in extremis, whether from NCTH or exsanguination from other sites, may require RT with aortic cross-clamping. REBOA offers another avenue for proximal hemorrhage control and can be completed by emergency clinicians. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the American College of Emergency Physicians recently released a joint statement detailing the indications for REBOA in adults. The evidence behind its use remains controversial, with significant heterogeneity among studies. Most studies demonstrate improved blood pressure without a significant improvement in mortality. Procedural steps include arterial access (most commonly the common femoral artery), positioning the initial sheath, balloon preparation and positioning, balloon inflation, securing the balloon/sheath, subsequent hemorrhage control, balloon deflation, and balloon/sheath removal. Several major complications can occur with REBOA placement. Future studies should evaluate training protocols, the role of simulation, and which target populations would benefit most from REBOA.ConclusionsREBOA can provide proximal hemorrhage control and can be performed by emergency clinicians. This article evaluates the evidence, indications, procedure, and complications for emergency clinicians.     

Renal effects of three endoaortic occlusion strategies in a swine model of hemorrhagic shock

IntroductionTrauma patients are predisposed to kidney injury. We hypothesized that in shock, zone 3 REBOA would increase renal blood flow (RBF) compared to control and that a period of zone 3 occlusion following zone 1 occlusion would improve renal function compared to zone 1 occlusion alone.Materials and methodsTwenty-four anesthetized swine underwent hemorrhagic shock, 45 min of zone 1 REBOA (Z1, supraceliac), zone 3 REBOA (Z3, infrarenal), or no intervention (control) followed by resuscitation with shed blood and 5 h of critical care. In a fourth group (Z1Z3), animals underwent 55 min of zone 3 REBOA following zone 1 occlusion. Physiologic parameters were recorded, blood and urine were collected at specified intervals.ResultsDuring critical care, there were no differences in RBF between the Z1 and Z3 groups. The average RBF during critical care in Z1Z3 was significantly lower than in Z3 alone (98.2 ± 23.9 and 191.9 ± 23.7 mL/min; p = 0.046) and not different than Z1. There was no difference in urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin-to-urinary creatinine ratio between Z1 and Z1Z3. Animals in the Z1Z3 group had a significant increase in the ratio at the end of the experiment compared to baseline [median (IQR)] [9.2 (8.2–13.2) versus 264.5 (73.6–1174.6)]. Following Z1 balloon deflation, RBF required 45 min to return to baseline.ConclusionNeither zone 3 REBOA alone nor zone 3 REBOA following zone 1 REBOA improved renal blood flow or function. Following zone 1 occlusion, RBF is restored to baseline levels after approximately 45 min.     

IN.PACT AV Access Trial: Economic Evaluation of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistulae Based on 12-Month Clinical Outcomes

PurposeTo study, from a U.S. payer’s perspective, the economic consequences of drug-coated balloon (DCB) versus standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) use for the treatment of stenotic lesions in dysfunctional hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae.Materials and MethodsCost differences between DCBs and PTA at year 1 and beyond were calculated via 2 methods. The first approach used the mean absolute number of trial-observed access circuit reinterventions through 12 months (0.65 ± 1.05 vs 1.05 ± 1.18 events per patient for DCBs and PTA, respectively) and projected treatment outcomes to 3 years. The second approach was based on the trial-observed access circuit primary patency rates at 12 months (53.8% vs 32.4%) and calculated the cost difference on the basis of previously published Medicare cost for patients who maintained or did not maintain primary patency. Assumptions regarding DCB device prices were tested in sensitivity analyses, and the numbers needed to treat were calculated.ResultsUsing the absolute number of access circuit reinterventions approach, the DCB strategy resulted in an estimated per-patient savings of $1,632 at 1 year and $4,263 at 3 years before considering the DCB device cost. The access circuit primary patency approach was associated with a per-patient cost savings of $2,152 at 1 year and $3,894 at 2.5 years of follow-up. At the theoretical DCB device reimbursement of $1,800, savings were $1,680 and $2,049 at 2.5 and 3 years, respectively. The one-year NNT of DCB compared to PTA was 2.48.ConclusionsEndovascular therapy for arteriovenous access stenosis with the IN.PACT AV DCB can be expected to be cost-saving if longer follow-up data confirm its clinical effectiveness.     

Meckel囊在经皮穿刺球囊压迫术治疗三叉神经痛中的应用解剖

目的：对Meckel 囊及其周围重要结构进行解剖学研究，并进行模拟穿刺，为提高手术成功率、减少术后 并发症提供解剖学依据。方法：采用甲醛固定的尸头标本，观察和测量Meckel 囊及其毗邻结构相关数据；将卵 圆孔分为内前（ Ⅰ）、内后（ Ⅱ）、外前（ Ⅲ）、外后（ Ⅳ）4 个象限，在直视下分别将穿刺针放置于不同象限，模拟 穿刺过程，将球囊置于Meckel 囊中，并记录穿刺结果。结果：Meckel 囊是颅后窝硬脑膜跨过岩尖在颅中窝形成 的一个裂隙样硬脑膜袋，其平均长径（12.56±1.14）mm、宽径（9.17±0.93）mm、高度（4.37±0.85）mm。囊 内包含三叉神经根、三叉神经半月节及其分支，是经皮穿刺球囊压迫术中放置球囊的目标位置，当穿刺针置于卵 圆孔Ⅱ象限时穿刺成功率为75%，高于Ⅰ象限（56%）、Ⅲ象限（25%）和Ⅳ象限（38%），差异具有统计学意义。 结论：成功穿刺Meckel 囊是经皮穿刺球囊压迫术成功的关键，熟悉Meckel 囊及其毗邻重要结构对经皮穿刺球囊 压迫术的操作至关重要，从而提高手术效果，减少术后并发症。     

紫杉醇药物涂层球囊成形术治疗症状性椎动脉开口处狭窄的疗效

目的 探讨紫杉醇药物涂层球囊（P-DCB）成形术治疗症状性椎动脉开口狭窄的安全性和有效性。方法 回顾性分析2017 年12月至2019年6月经P-DCB成形术治疗的43例症状性椎动脉开口处狭窄的临床资料。结果 所有病人均完成介入治疗，成功率为100%。术后即刻狭窄率[（12.03±2.15）%]较术前[（86.32±10.26）%]明显降低（P<0.05）。围手术期发生动脉夹层1例，无其他并发症。随访12~16个月，平均13.5个月；症状改善43例，无变化例，症状改善率为95.3%（41/43）；全部病人接受DSA或CTA随访，随访狭窄率[（16.1±3.12）%]与术后即刻无统计学差异（P>0.05）；5例发生再狭窄，再狭窄率为11.6%。结论 P-DCB成形术治疗椎动脉开口狭窄具有较好的临床疗效。     

电针结合导管球囊扩张术治疗脑卒中后环咽肌失弛缓致吞咽障碍临床观察

目的 观察电针结合导管球囊扩张术治疗脑卒中后环咽肌失弛缓所致吞咽障碍的临床疗效。方法 将60例患者随机分为观察组和对照组，每组30例。对照组予以导管球囊扩张术治疗，观察组在对照组的基础上加用电针，取穴廉泉、夹廉泉、翳风、风池，予以连续波，频率2 Hz。两组患者每天治疗1次，每周6 d，连续治疗4周。采用洼田饮水试验、标准吞咽功能评价量表（standardized swallowing assessment，SSA）评价患者吞咽功能，并观察“声嘶语謇”等9个症状积分，根据洼田饮水试验分级变化判定临床疗效。结果 治疗4周后，两组洼田饮水试验评分、SSA评分、症状积分均较治疗前显著降低（P＜0.05），且观察组各项评分降低程度明显大于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组临床疗效显著优于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论 电针结合导管球囊扩张术可减轻吞咽相关的临床症状，提高总体疗效。     

Capsule endoscopy for small‐intestinal disorders: Current status

Small‐bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is used widely because of its non‐invasive and patient‐friendly nature. SBCE can visualize entire small‐intestinal mucosa and facilitate detection of small‐intestinal abnormalities. In this review article, we focus on the current status of SBCE. Several platforms for SBCE are available worldwide. Third‐generation SBCE (PillCam^® SB3) has a high‐resolution camera equipped with an adaptive frame rate system. Several software modes have been developed to reduce the reading time for capsule endoscopy and to minimize the possibility of missing lesions. The main complication of SBCE is capsule retention. Thus, the main contraindication for SBCE is known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction unless intestinal patency is proven. Possible indications for SBCE are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, small‐intestinal polyps and tumors, and celiac disease. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) can observe inflamed colonic mucosa non‐invasively, and allows for the continuous and non‐invasive observation of the entire intestinal tract (pan‐endoscopy). Recently, application of CCE as pan‐enteric endoscopy for inflammatory bowel diseases (including Crohn's disease) has been reported. In the near future, reading for CE will be assisted by artificial intelligence, and reading CE videos for long periods will not be required.