Use of the Wallstent in the venous system including hemodialysis-related stenoses

Eighteen patients with a total of 23 venous stenoses or occlusions were treated with the Wallstent. In 5 patients treated for malignant stenosis there was one primary failure due to insufficient stent expansion. The other 4 patients showed rapid relief of their inflow obstruction, all remaining asymptomatic despite later stent occlusion in 1 patient. Four patients were treated for benign postoperative stenoses of the iliac or femoral vein. All stents remained patent for a period of 6 weeks-58 months. Nine patients were treated for one or multiple stenoses along the venous outflow tract of hemodialysis fistulas. Of 14 lesions that were eventually stented, 12 are still patent after 3–27 months (mean 19). However, 10 secondary interventions (eight percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), two stents) and three additional stent procedures for new lesions were necessary. Although our experience is limited, we believe that patients with tumor compression or postoperative strictures of large veins benefit from treatment with stents. Stenting of venous outflow stenoses in hemodialysis fistulas can significantly prolong stent function, however, PTA should always be the first treatment of choice.     

Technical aspects and results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in Brescia-Cimino dialysis fistulas

Our experience with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of stenoses and occlusions in surgically created arteriovenous fistulas (Brescia-Cimino) is reported. Methodological aspects are emphasized. Forty-nine PTAs were performed in 36 patients, in 3 combined with the use of a vascular metallic endoprosthesis (Wallstent). The initial success rates for stenoses and occlusions and occlusions were 91% and 77%, respectively. Long stenoses and occlusions (>4 cm) showed significantly worse initial results (55%) as compared to short ones (95%). Of the primarily successfully treated shunts, 90% are still functioning after a mean follow-up time of 8 months. The results indicate that PTA may replace surgical intervention as the primary method for treatment of insufficient flow for internal arteriovenous shunts, provided fresh thrombi are not the cause of the occlusion. Metallic endoprostheses and the use of atherectomy catheters were shown to be a valuable adjunct to classical PTA in selected cases.     

血液透析通路狭窄相关问题介入治疗进展

血液透析通路狭窄相关问题一直影响着终末期肾病病人的透析过程。临床中使用介入干预的方法能够快速且有效地维持透析通路的开放。经皮经腔血管成形术(PTA)及经皮经腔支架植入术(PTS)在各种透析通路相关并发症中均有应用和研究,现已用于静脉流出道狭窄及中心静脉狭窄的治疗。PTA及PTS对处理透析通路相关并发症有着较好的临床效果及应用前景,尤其是覆膜支架的使用,是值得推广的一种新型血管腔内治疗手段。     

经皮血管成形术治疗血液透析动静脉内瘘狭窄或闭塞

目的:探讨经皮血管成形术(PTA)治疗血液透析患者动静脉内瘘狭窄和闭塞的临床效果。方法:对16例动静脉内瘘狭窄和闭塞的血液透析患者行PTA治疗,比较PTA治疗前后的血管造影表现、透析时血流量及静脉压的变化情况。结果:术后血管造影显示狭窄和闭塞的血管扩张、再通,触诊感血管震颤增强。术后第2天透析时血流量升高至200ml/min以上,可完成透析,在血流量为250ml/min时静脉压下降为(110.62±15.71)mmHg;其中2例分别在术后3个月和6个月发生再狭窄,再次行PTA后血流量恢复。所有患者均未出现血管破裂、出血、血栓形成等并发症。结论:PTA是治疗动静脉内瘘狭窄和闭塞的有效、安全、微创的方法,可选择适宜的患者采用。     

Percutaneous Intervention in Axillary Loop-Configured Arteriovenous Grafts for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fistulographic features of malfunctioning axillary loop-configured arteriovenous grafts and the efficacy of percutaneous interventions in failed axillary loop-configured arteriovenous grafts.

Materials and Methods

Ten patients with axillary loop-configured arteriovenous grafts were referred for evaluation of graft patency or upper arm swelling. Fistulography and percutaneous intervention, including thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement, were performed. Statistical analysis of the procedure success rate and the primary and secondary patency rates was done.

Results

Four patients had graft related and subclavian venous stenosis, two patients had graft related stenosis and another four patients had subclavian venous stenosis only. Sixteen sessions of interventional procedures were performed in eight patients (average: 2 sessions / patient) until the end of follow-up. An interventional procedure was not done in two patients with central venous stenosis. The overall procedure success rate was 69% (11 of 16 sessions). The post-intervention primary and secondary patency rates were 50% and 63% at three months, 38% and 63% at six months and 25% and 63% at one year, respectively.

Conclusion

Dysfunctional axillary loop-configured arteriovenous grafts almost always had subclavian venous and graft-related stenosis. Interventional treatments are helpful to overcome this and these treatments are expected to play a major role in restoring and maintaining the axillary loop-configured arteriovenous loop grafts.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of malfunctioning Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistula: analysis of factors adversely affecting long-term patency

Our objective was to identify the factors adversely affecting long-term patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for hemodialysis Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulas. Between November 1995 and March 2000, 91 PTA procedures were performed on 50 patients with 57 Brescia-Cimino fistulas. A retrospective study based on the chart review was performed. The initial technical success rate for all procedures and the primary and secondary patency rates for all fistulas were calculated. Regarding fistulas successfully maintained by the primary PTA, the primary and secondary patency rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method between two patient groups. They were classified on the basis of several factors, including age (older, over 70 years, and younger group), age of the fistulas (older, over 6 months, and younger group), with or without diabetes mellitus (DM), solitary or multiple lesions, long or short segment lesion, stenosis or occlusion, and with or without arterial and/or anastomotic lesions. Initial technical success rates for all procedures and fistulas were 91.2 and 89.5%, respectively. Cumulative primary and secondary patency rates at 1 year were 47.3 and 67.3%, respectively. In the comparative study, the secondary patency rate for the older group was lower than that of the younger group with statistical significance ( p =0.029). The higher age is the only factor that reduces the long-term patency rate after PTA.     

A new vascular sealant (Sealgel) to achieve rapid hemostasis after percutaneous angioplasty in anticoagulated patients: clinical feasibility and preliminary results

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a new vascular sealant (Sealgel) to provide rapid hemostasis in anticoagulated patients after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Sealgel was designed with ancrod (10 mg) and tranexamic acid (80 mg) dissolved in a hyaluronic acid gel (3 ml). Fifty anticoagulated patients (heparin, aspirin, ticlopidin) who underwent PTA of coronary artery were enrolled in the study. Sealgel (3 ml) was delivered under manual compression through a 9-F cannula at the arterial puncture site after the introducer sheath removal at the end of PTA procedure. Hemostasis time as well as complications were recorded. Sealgel was successfully delivered in 98 % of patients. Hemostasis occurred within 15 mn of manual compression in 82 % of patients, within 25 mn in 98 %, and failed in 1 patient (2 %). Hematoma (6-cm diameter) was observed in 1 patient and late bleeding in another one. There were no clinical signs of embolism, inflammatory swelling, local infection, vascular fistula, or pseudoaneurysm. No surgery or blood transfusion was required. Sealgel application after PTA in anticoagulated patient is feasible and secure. Preliminary results suggest that the Sealgel brought about rapid hemostasis; however further studies are needed to determine its clinical efficacy. Received: 17 March 2000 Revised: 20 July 2000 Accepted: 26 July 2000     

Therapeutic hepatic vein angioplasty for Budd-Chiari syndrome

The authors report a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). In this case, the occlusion of three major hepatic veins with a big collateral to the inferior vena cava via the right inferior hepatic vein (RIHV) and stenosis of the ostium of RIHV were seen. We performed successful PTA of this stenosis.     

Dissection of the infrarenal aorta treated by stent graft placement

Aortic dissection is primarily localized in the thoracic aorta. Dissection of the abdominal aorta is exceedingly rare, especially in the absence of a blunt abdominal trauma. Two cases of a primarily infrarenal aortic dissection were diagnosed by US, CT and angiography. The patients were treated by stent graft placement. The stent grafts were introduced via a femoral arteriotomy through the introducer sheath and were placed so that they occluded entry and reentry of aortic dissection. The stent graft placement caused total obliteration of a false channel of the dissection immediately after endoprosthesis deployment. The patients were followed-up by CT and angiography at 16 and 3 months after surgery without complication. Received 3 December 1996; Revision received 14 March 1997; Accepted 10 June 1997     

PTA arid stenting of benign venous stenoses in the pelvis: Long-term results

Purpose: To provide follow-up data on endovascular intervention for venous stenoses in the pelvis. Methods: Between 1985 and 1995, 35 patients presented with 42 stenoses of the pelvic veins after operative thrombectomy and creation of an arteriovenous fistula, combined with intraoperative venous angioscopy. All patients underwent angioplasty and, if unsuccessful, percutaneous insertion of an endovascular stent (n = 7). Results: Angioplasty with and without endovascular stenting was technically successful in 34 of 35 patients (97%). Average length of the stenoses was 20.6 mm (range 10–90 mm), average diameter before dilation 4.1 mm (range 2–6 mm), and average diameter after dilation 10.1 mm (range 5–18 mm). Intraoperative angioscopy showed pathologic findings (intimal laceration or residual thrombotic material) in 14 patients. After an average follow-up period of 4.13 years, 24 (69%) patients had patent veins. The difference in the primary patency rate between patients with angioscopically abnormal veins (6 of 14 patients, corresponding to a patency rate of 43%) and patients with angioscopically normal veins after thrombectomy (18 of 21 patients, corresponding to a patency rate of 86%) was statistically significant (p < 0.01, log rank test). Conclusions: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or stenting are good treatment modalities for pelvic vein stenosis following surgical thrombectomy. Angioscopically abnormal veins have a poorer long-term patency, regardless of the type of intervention.     

Use of a puncture needle for recanalization of an occluded right subclavian vein

We report a patient in whom we used a puncture needle to initiate percutaneous recanalization of a chronic occlusion of the junction between the right subclavian vein and the right brachiocephalic vein. Under fluoroscopic guidance, an 18-gauge needle was used to puncture the right subclavian vein. When contrast material injected through the needle confirmed intravascular location, the needle was advanced until it deflected and perforated an occlusion balloon target positioned within the right brachiocephalic vein. This technique may be useful in patients with central venous occlusions that are refractory to traversal using traditional catheter and guidewire techniques.     

The Timing and Frequency of Complications After Peripheral Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Iliac Stenting: Is a Change from Inpatient to Outpatient Therapy Feasible?

Purpose: A prospective study was performed to assess the frequency and timing of complications after transluminal angioplasty and stent placement with a view to changing our practice and performing these procedures on an outpatient basis. Method: A total of 266 angioplasties and 51 stent deployments were attempted on 240 consecutive patients. Immediate complications were documented by the radiologists. The timing and nature of any complications during and beyond the first 24 hr were reported by the vascular surgeons. Results: There were 14 complications in 240 patients, giving a complication rate of 4.8% per vessel segment dilated. There were five major and nine minor complications. Eighty-six percent of complications were evident before the patient had left the angiography suite. All complications were evident within 4.5 hr of the procedure. Conclusion: The timing of complications suggests it would be reasonable to perform percutaneous transluminal angioplasties and iliac stenting on an outpatient basis in suitable patients.     

经皮球囊血管成形术和经皮支架植入术治疗透析通路中心静脉狭窄的临床效果比较

目的：观察透析通路中心静脉狭窄（CVS）经皮球囊血管成形术（PTA）和经皮支架植入术（PTS）治疗的近中期疗效。 方法：选取2014年10月—2016年10月收治的发生CVS的血液透析患者40例,按治疗方式的不同分为PTA治疗组26例和PTA+PTS治疗组14例。观察两组患者术后疗效及通路管径变化情况;随访术后1、3、6个月透析通路的开放情况及开放时间。 结果：术后相关症状均在1周内改善,治疗后通路直径较治疗前均增宽;PTA治疗组的初级开放时间为（5.17±1.54）个月,高于PTA+PTS治疗组的初级开放时间（3.57±1.71）个月;PTA+PTS治疗组的腔内干预次数为（1.93±0.47）次,高于PTA治疗组的（1.35±0.56）次,差异均有统计学意义。PTA治疗组1、3、6个月的初级开放率分别为96.2%、80.7%、69.2%,辅助初级开放率分别为100%、92.3%、92.3%;PTA+PTS治疗组1、3、6个月的初级开放率分别为92.9%、64.3%、14.3%,辅助初级开放率分别为100%、100%、85.7%。两组的初级开放率和辅助初级开放率差异无统计学意义。 结论：透析通路CVS的治疗首选单纯PTA,当出现PTA抵抗或频繁复发时,可以考虑植入支架。     

Persistent sciatic artery: Bilateral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in ischemic disease

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare vascular anomaly that results from failure of an embryonal artery to the lower extremities to regress during fetal development. Aneurysm formation, thromboembolism, and arterial occlusions may complicate this abnormality. We report a patient with complete bilateral PSA and intermittent claudication who was treated by bilateral percutaneous angioplasty.     

Complications during renal artery stent placement for atherosclerotic ostial stenosis

Purpose To describe short-term complications during stent placement for atherosclerotic renal artery ostial stenosis. Methods Sixty-one arteries in 50 patients were treated with Palmaz stents. Nineteen patients had a single functioning kidney, 23 had a bilateral stenosis, which was stented bilaterally in 11, and 8 had a unilateral stenosis. The complications were grouped as those related to the catheterization procedure, those related to stent placement, and those possibly related to either category. The complications were divided into those with severe clinical significance (SCS), those with minor clinical significance (MCS), and radiological-technical complications (RTC). The stent placement procedures were ordered chronologically according to examination date and the complications were tabulated per group of 10 patients. Results Five (10%) SCS, 5 (10%) MCS, and 8 (16%) RTC occurred in 50 patients. The catheterization procedure led to 2 SCS, 3 MCS, and 1 RTC. Stent placement gave rise to 7 RTC. Three SCS and 2 MCS could have been related to either catheterization or stent placement. More SCS occurred in the first group of 10 patients than in the following groups. Conclusion Renal artery stent placement for atherosclerotic ostial stenosis has a considerable complication rate and a learning curve is present. The complications related to the actual stent placement were without clinical consequences.     

Angiographic control of renal artery stenoses 6 months following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Twenty-eight patients with a total of 32 stenoses of the renal artery were examined by angiography 6 months following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The angiograms were obtained: (1) prior to PTA; (2) immediately following PTA; and (3) 6 months later. These angiograms were compared and the relationship of diameter of the stenosis (A) to the poststenotic region (B) was evaluated. In 22 cases (78.5%), 6 months post-PTA, the stenoses were no longer demonstrated; stenosis diameter (A) showed an average increase from 2.1 to 5.1 mm, while the poststenotic region (B) decreased from 7.7 to 5.6 mm on average. Five cases of partial stenoses (17.8%) seen on angiograms 6 months after PTA still showed a marked difference between A and B, with only a minimal reduction in area of B. In five patients with restenosis (17.8%), nearly the same results were obtained as in the pre-PTA state. Neither aneurysms nor renal arterial obstruction was found in our patient group. Rather, in most of our patients normalization of the renal vessels could be demonstrated on angiograms, supporting the choice of PTA as the preferred method of treatment of renal artery stenosis.     

Aortic bifurcation reconstruction: Use of the memotherm self-expanding nitinol stent for stenoses and occlusions

PURPOSE: To assess the technical success, initial clinical outcome, and intermediate follow-up of the Memotherm nitinol self-expanding stent in aortic bifurcation reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (13 male, 20 female), mean age 64 years, were treated, who had symptoms classified by the Surgical Vascular Society/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (SVS/ICVS) classification as grade 2 in 11 (33%), grade 3 in 19 (58%) and grade 4 in 3 (9%) patients. Lesions were classified according to severity and type. Indications for placement of a Memotherm nitinol self-expanding stent were failed angioplasty in 14 (42%), chronic occlusions in 12 (37%), and complex stenoses in seven (21%) patients. RESULTS: Sixty-seven stents were technically successfully placed in 66 aorto-iliac segments in 33 patients, with one major complication. Initial clinical outcome was improvement in 25 (81%), no change in four (13%), and a worsening in two (6%) patients by Rutherford criteria. Mean early ankle/brachial pressure index (ABI) gain was 0. 27 for occlusions and 0.05 for stenoses. Clinical follow-up was obtained in all patients, with retrospective angiographic follow-up in 28 (85%) at a mean of 16 months (range 12-26 months). The decrease in ABI and the decrease in angiographic luminal diameter at follow-up was determined as the "late loss." The mean ABI late losses were -0.06, 0.00, and 0.09, and the mean angiographic late losses were 6.7%, 10% and 14% for occlusions, stenoses, and normal segments respectively. Primary clinical patency was 96%, primary angiographic patency was 89%, and secondary angiographic patency was 93%. CONCLUSION: The high technical success of stent placement, the low complication rates for aortic bifurcation reconstruction using the Memotherm self-expanding stent, and high clinical and angiographic patency maintained at intermediate follow-up support their use in aortic bifurcation reconstruction.     

Transbrachial Thrombolysis,PTA and Stenting in the Lower Extremities

We present an analysis of 37 interventions in the arteries of the lower limbs via a transbrachial arterial approach. Twenty-six patients (42–79 years) underwent 37 interventional procedures in the lower extremities (iliac n = 6, iliac + femoro-popliteal n = 1, femoro-popliteal n = 30) with a vascular approach via the brachial artery (33 left sided, 4 right sided, introducer sheath 4–7 F). The transbrachial approach was chosen to avoid puncture of femoral bypass graft material. Technical success could be achieved in 11/13 thrombolyses, 8/9 PTAs, 7/10 combinations of thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminar angioplasty (PTA) and in the placement of two stents. One patient suffered from periprocedural severe re-thrombosis due to insufficient anticoagulation during fibrinolysis, and twice thrombolysis was incomplete. One puncture-related false aneurysm of the brachial artery had to be corrected surgically. One transient ischemic attack (TIA) and four minor complications occurred. Transbrachial vascular approach for arterial interventions in iliac and femoro-popliteal pathologies is a reasonable alternative to the transaxillary access if transfemoral puncture has to be avoided. The technical success rate is comparable with the results of the transaxillary and transfemoral approach. To minimize, at least theoretically, the risk of cerebral complications, the left- sided approach should be preferred and intravenous heparin should be administered routinely.     

Factors influencing technical success and outcome of percutaneous balloon angioplasty in de novo native hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas

Objective

To determine predictors of technical success, dysfunction recurrence and patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of de novo dysfunctional hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of first time PTA of 167 AVF in 162 patients (100 men, 66 ± 13 years). Anatomical (location, length, grade and number of stenoses) and clinical variables (sex, age, prior AVF, diabetes mellitus and AVF age, side and location) were reviewed.

Results

217 stenoses or segmental occlusions were treated. Technical success rate (84.4%) was higher in radiocephalic AVF compared to brachial artery–median vein AVF (p = 0.030) and was negatively correlated with initial stenosis (p = 0.049). Dysfunction recurrence was seen in 52.7% and correlated negatively with technical success (p = 0.013) and AVF age (p = 0.008). Early dysfunction (within 6 months) was negatively correlated with AVF age (p = 0.016) and positively with diabetes (p = 0.003). Higher AVF age resulted in higher primary (p = 0.005) and secondary patency rates (p = 0.037–0.005).

Conclusions

Technical success of PTA in hemodialysis AVF is affected by AVF type and initial stenosis and has significant effect on dysfunction recurrence, but not on AVF longevity. Younger AVF has increased risk for (early) recurrent dysfunction and lower patency rates. Patients with diabetes mellitus have higher risk for early dysfunction.     

Primary Stenting of Focal Atherosclerotic Infrarenal Aortic Stenoses: Long-Term Results in 13 Patients and a Literature Review

We conducted this study to investigate the value of primary stent implantation for the endovascular treatment of focal atherosclerotic stenoses of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The data of 13 patients with a localized complex infrarenal aortic stenosis who underwent primary stenting was retrospectively evaluated. The patients (6 females, 7 males) had a mean age of 57.3 ± 9.1 years (mean ± SD). In all patients, the aortic diameter was measured on CT sections, and a self-expanding endoprosthesis was primarily implanted followed by dilatation with single or double balloons. In 3 patients, additional distal stenoses were also endovascularly treated. The procedure was technically successful in all patients. No complications occurred except for 2 minor groin hematomas. During the 43 ± 23 months (mean ± SD) follow-up (range: 12–96 months), all stented aortic segments remained patent. Clinical patency was lost in 4 patients, which was due to atherosclerosis or restenosis distal to the aorta. In view of the excellent early and long-term results, we believe that primary stenting should be considered the first line treatment in properly selected patients with focal atherosclerotic infrarenal stenoses of the abdominal aorta.