Renovascular hypertension following renal transplantation

The authors address the multifactored origins of renovascular hypertension following renal transplantation and present the experience with digital subtraction angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty as well as standard angiography and surgical repair in the diagnosis and treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis. The roles of the renin-angiotensin system of the native kidney and of the allograft in sustaining hypertension after transplantation are reviewed in detail.     

Clinical study of adjuvant photodynamic therapy to reduce restenosis following femoral angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) reduces neointimal hyperplasia and negative remodelling following balloon injury in small and large animal models. This clinical study investigated the role of adjuvant PDT following femoral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). METHODS: Eight PTAs in seven patients (two women) with a median age of 70 (range 59-86) years were performed with adjuvant PDT. All patients had previously undergone conventional angioplasty at the same site which resulted in symptomatic restenosis or occlusion between 2 and 6 months. Each was sensitized with oral 5-aminolaevulinic acid 60 mg/kg, 5-7 h before the procedure. Following a second femoral angioplasty, up to 50 J/cm2 red light (635 nm) was delivered to the angioplasty site via a laser fibre within the angioplasty balloon. Patients were kept in subdued light overnight and discharged the following day. Outcome was assessed by duplex imaging at 24 h, 1, 3 and 6 months and by intravenous digital subtraction angiography at 6 months. A peak systolic velocity ratio (PSVR) of more than 2.0 at the angioplasty site was taken to represent restenosis. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure well without adverse complications or death. All were rendered asymptomatic which was sustained throughout the study interval. All vessels remained patent and no lesion attained the duplex definition of restenosis. Median (interquartile range) PSVR across stenotic segments was 4.7 (3.7-5.7) before angioplasty, 1.1 (0.9-1.3) at 24 h and 1.4 (1.0-1.8) at 6 months after intervention (P = 0.04 compared with preoperative value). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that endovascular PDT is safe and may reduce restenosis follow- ing angioplasty. The data justify a randomized controlled trial.     

Arterial digital subtraction angiography with particulate intravascular embolization and angioplasty

The authors are reporting their experience with arterial digital subtraction angiography to monitor particular intravascular embolization in hypervascular tumors and malformations and angioplasty. Arterial digital subtraction angiography may reduce the time of waiting for regular film developing and subtraction. The smaller amount of contrast material being used in arterial digital subtraction angiography minimizes the discomfort to the patients. It also prevents further renal damage in those patients with poor renal function. The arterial digital subtraction angiography may detect the early warning signs of embolotherapy. From the past experience, the authors have found that arterial digital subtraction angiography should be considered as a better alternative way to performing the particulate embolization and angioplasty than being monitored by conventional angiography.     

Outpatient angioplasty: 4-year experience in one practice.

Angioplasty is often performed as an inpatient procedure after preliminary angiography. In order to increase efficiency and patient comfort we introduced a policy of performing angioplasty for chronic leg ischaemia as an outpatient whenever possible, using duplex scanning to select suitable lesions. This paper examines the safety and feasibility of this policy over a 4-year period. We prospectively assessed 168 consecutive cases which were planned for outpatient angioplasty from a total of 190 cases undergoing angioplasty and found full agreement between duplex scanning and angiography in 92%. Six patients (4%) developed complications of angioplasty requiring admission and another five were admitted for unexpected organisational reasons. Thus, the complication rate of outpatient angioplasty was 4%. All complications were noted at the time of angioplasty with no unexpected readmissions. Angioplasty for leg ischaemia is feasible and safe to perform as an outpatient using duplex scanning to select appropriate cases.     

Extrinsic compression of the external iliac artery following internal fixation of an acetabular fracture

Vascular injuries following fixation of acetabular injuries are becoming increasingly recognized. Most case reports describe thrombosis or rupture of the adjacent artery. Repair of these injuries is most often described by open technique with endovascular repair rarely reported. Here, we present a case of injury to the external iliac artery caused by extrinsic compression from orthopedic hardware following acetabular fracture repair. Diagnosis of this injury was difficult with angiography, but on duplex ultrasonography, the injury was more clearly seen. The injury was treated with endovascular angioplasty and stenting, with restoration of normal arterial flow to the lower extremity.     

Duplex ultrasonography and pulse-generated run-off in selecting claudicants for femoropopliteal angioplasty.

Non-invasive assessment of lower limb vasculature may avoid unnecessary angiography in claudicants. Colour duplex ultrasonography of the femoral and popliteal arteries was performed to assess patency and the presence of any stenoses, and pulse-generated run-off (PGR) was used to assess the distal vasculature. In 65 legs colour duplex scanning was successful, compared with angiography, in identifying the site and type of disease in the femoropopliteal segment and 23 lesions were correctly identified as suitable for angioplasty. More patent distal vessels were demonstrated by PGR than by angiography; no vessels patent on angiography were missed by PGR. The estimated cost of diagnostic angiography was 330 pounds per test compared with 52 pounds for non-invasive assessment. By using duplex examination as a screening test, a potential saving of 8062 pounds could have been made in this series. Duplex ultrasonography offers a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to diagnostic angiography for clinically suspected infrainguinal arterial disease presenting as claudication. PGR was not of clinical value in assessing suitability for angioplasty.     

Successful surgical treatment of intravascular ultrasonography catheter entrapment

Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in a 77-year-old woman who presented with chest discomfort. The CAG showed two diseased vessels. For treatment, the patient underwent angioplasty and stenting. During intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) following stent deployment, the IVUS catheter became entrapped in the left anterior descending coronary artery, causing ischemic changes in the anterolateral wall, which were apparent on the electrocardiogram. The patient underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting and removal of the entrapped IVUS catheter.     

The current role of renal angioplasty in the treatment of renovascular hypertension

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty, a relatively noninvasive technique, has assumed an increasing role in the treatment of renovascular hypertension. The combined advent of digital subtraction angiography, renal-vein renin samples, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have prompted many physicians to reassess their treatment strategies. The authors present their experience with renal angioplasty at the New York Hospital and briefly describe the history and mechanism of action of this procedure.     

Surgical angioplasty of ruptured left anterior descending coronary artery without cardiopulmonary bypass.

We report a case of successful off-pump surgical angioplasty in the left anterior descending coronary artery using a saphenous vein patch. A 49-year-old male with left main disease and severe cerebrovascular stenosis underwent off-pump bypass to the left anterior descending artery. Postoperative angiography showed anastomotic stenosis where balloon angioplasty was performed. However, it resulted in coronary perforation complicated with epicardial tamponade, and emergency off-pump surgical angioplasty was performed. This case demonstrated that coronary arterial rupture could be managed by surgical angioplasty without cardiopulmonary bypass when coronary artery perforation occurred.     

Percutaneous Transradial Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty in Patients with Occlusive Atherosclerotic Iliofemoral Disease

Not all coronary angiograms can be acquired through the femoral route. The transradial catheterisation procedure in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic iliofemoral disease is described. Transfemoral left-sided cardiac catheterisation was performed in approximately 99.5% of patients referred for coronary angiography, while out of 48 patients in whom transfemoral access was impossible, transradial coronary angiography was successful in 37. With the exception of one, all patients with coronary artery disease had lesions of the right coronary artery, more than 70% had multivessel disease and 14% had stenosis of the left main coronary artery. Ten patients had angioplasty performed during the same procedure. Complications occurred in 5 out of 39 cases, 2 (5%) of these were severe. Although the femoral route was used in more than 99% of an unselected population referred for coronary angiography, it was found that transradial angiography and angioplasty can be performed in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic iliofemoral disease with considerable success and an acceptable complication rate.     

Cutting balloon angioplasty for carotid artery in-stent stenosis supported by three-dimensional rotational angiography with automated vessel analysis software

In-stent stenosis is a possible long-term complication of carotid artery stenting. A simple and safe technique of cutting balloon angioplasty is described for carotid in-stent stenosis. The stented vessel is imaged by three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography, the acquired projection images are transferred to a workstation, and the stenotic lesion and implanted stent are reconstructed. The diameter of the implanted stent in the stenotic region is measured by automated analysis software. Cutting balloon angioplasty carries the risk of vessel injury by the cutting balloon microblades, but the implanted stent acts as a barrier to protect the vessel. Therefore, cutting balloon inflation up to the stent diameter is safe and results in maximal vessel dilation. The key to success is precise measurement of the stent diameter and choice of a cutting balloon catheter of the appropriate size. 3D rotational angiography provides high-quality images of the vasculature of a stented vessel and a reference for intervention based on absolute measurements. Cutting balloon angioplasty supported by 3D rotational angiography with automated vessel analysis software should be considered as a treatment strategy for high-grade carotid artery in-stent stenosis.     

Principles of endoluminal therapy

This article aims to provide a resumé of angiographic, angioplasty and arterial stenting techniques. Complementary roles of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are discussed. Finally, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and indications for embolization are described.     

Percutaneous transradial coronary angiography and angioplasty in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic iliofemoral disease

Not all coronary angiograms can be acquired through the femoral route. The transradial catheterisation procedure in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic iliofemoral disease is described. Transfemoral left-sided cardiac catheterisation was performed in approximately 99.5% of patients referred for coronary angiography, while out of 48 patients in whom transfemoral access was impossible, transradial coronary angiography was successful in 37. With the exception of one, all patients with coronary artery disease had lesions of the right coronary artery, more than 70% had multivessel disease and 14% had stenosis of the left main coronary artery. Ten patients had angioplasty performed during the same procedure. Complications occurred in 5 out of 39 cases, 2 (5%) of these were severe. Although the femoral route was used in more than 99% of an unselected population referred for coronary angiography, it was found that transradial angiography and angioplasty can be performed in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic iliofemoral disease with considerable success and an acceptable complication rate.     

Principles of endoluminal therapy

This article provides an overview of current diagnostic and therapeutic roles of angiography, angioplasty and arterial stenting techniques and of recent advances which have been made in this field. Advances in non-invasive diagnostic imaging techniques of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are discussed. Finally, the expanding role of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), arterial thrombolysis and embolic therapy are briefly described.     

Successful surgical treatment of coronary aneurysm following PTCA]

A case of 50-year-old man who developed coronary aneurysm at the initial PTCA site following dilatation was reported. The patient was suffered severe effort angina pectoris and admitted to our hospital. Coronary angiography revealed 99% stenosis in the right coronary artery (RCA), and the underwent balloon dilatation of the RCA lesion with 3.0 mm balloon catheter at 3 atm of pressure. PTCA provided sufficient coronary dilatation, however a small dissection remained. He was discharged from the hospital without any symptom. Two months after PTCA he was suffered from recurrent angina, and electrocardiographic exercise stress test was positive for ST segment depression in inferior wall. The repeat coronary angiography showed severe stenosis of the original lesion and aneurysm formation at the area of dissection which occurred during initial angioplasty. Coronary artery bypass surgery with a saphenous vein graft performed successfully.     

介入再通技术治疗肾动脉慢性完全闭塞

目的探讨介入再通技术治疗肾动脉慢性完全闭塞患者的方法及初步疗效。方法以肾动脉球囊扩张术、经皮血管内支架成形术、动脉溶栓术对12例慢性肾动脉完全闭塞患者进行介入再通治疗。行血管造影评价介入再通治疗的疗效,随访临床症状、血压及肾功能变化。结果10例患者肾动脉再通成功,技术成功率83.33%,10例临床获益。结论介入技术可以有效开通慢性闭塞肾动脉并使患者临床获益。     

Surgical angioplasty of isolated left coronary ostial stenosis

A 42-year-old female had suffered from chest pain for approximately 1 month, and was admitted with unstable angina pectoris. Emergent coronary angiography showed an isolated 75% stenosis of the left coronary ostium. Repair of ostial stenosis by vein patch angioplasty was done by the transactional superior approach. Postoperative catheterization revealed an expanded left coronary orifice and the patient was discharged without any complications. We have experienced 2 other patients of isolated left coronary ostial stenosis, who had undergone double coronary artery bypass grafting. Long-term coronary angiography showed regression of ostial stenosis in 1 patient, and no progression of new lesions in either. These results suggest that direct vein patch angioplasty of the ostial lesion is an alternative procedure for isolated left coronary ostial stenosis.     

Screening patients with claudication from femoropopliteal disease before angioplasty using Doppler colour flow imaging.

Time, expense, risk and discomfort are incurred by arteriography in patients with intermittent claudication who might be candidates for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). A valid screening technique could reduce the need for arteriography in patients found to have lesions not amenable to PTA. Agreement between Doppler colour flow imaging (DCFI) and angiography for detecting haemodynamically significant lesions is high, but DCFI may not identify lesions suitable for angioplasty. A total of 36 limbs in 30 patients were studied using DCFI before angiography. Agreement between the two methods was excellent (kappa = 0.91), and the predictive accuracy of DCFI for lesions amenable to PTA was good (kappa = 0.78, sensitivity 94 per cent, specificity 85 per cent, positive predictive value 83 per cent, negative predictive value 94 per cent, overall accuracy 89 per cent). DCFI is a useful screening process that may prevent unnecessary angiography, with consequent financial savings and clinical benefit.     

Carotid angiography in contemporary vascular surgery practice

While most patients with carotid artery disease can safely undergo carotid endarterectomy based on duplex ultrasound alone, carotid angioplasty and stenting must, by its nature, be performed in conjunction with carotid arteriography. The techniques of carotid angiography are a necessary prerequisite to carotid intervention. The indications, technique, and results of carotid angiography in a contemporary vascular surgery practice are described.     

Renal artery stenosis: is angiography still the gold standard in 2011?

Renovascular hypertension (RVH) is an unusual cause of hypertension in children that is important to diagnose as it is potentially curable with angioplasty or surgery. Digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing RVH; for other methods like ultrasound, isotope studies, magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography sensitivity is still too low to reliably exclude RVH. Clinical and laboratory criteria that suggest RVH will be proposed and recommendations when digital subtraction angiography should be performed will be made. A treatment algorithm that suggests when to use medical treatment, interventional radiology and surgery in children with RVH will be given.