Malignant Gastric and Duodenal Stenosis: Palliation by Peroral Implantation of a Self-Expanding Metallic Stent

Purpose: To assess the use of self-expanding metallic stents in patients with inoperable malignant antrum-pylorus-duodenal obstruction. Methods: Six patients underwent implantation of a Wallstent self-expanding metallic endoprosthesis (20 mm in five patients and 16 mm in one). In five patients a catheter (Berenstein) was introduced perorally into the stomach. A guidewire (Terumo) was introduced through the catheter and advanced through the antrum-pylorus-duodenal stenosis. The guidewire was removed and a 260-cm-long, 0.035″ superstiff guide (Amplatz) was introduced. After the catheter was removed the stent assembly was introduced. In the last patient the stent was implanted through a percutaneous gastrostomy. Results: Treatment of inoperable gastric outlet obstruction caused by tumor compression is difficult and unsatisfactory. Peroral implantation of self-expanding metallic stents resulted in successful palliative therapy of antrum-pylorus-duodenal stenosis in six patients in whom surgery was not possible because of advanced disease and poor general condition. On average, patients were able to eat during 41 days. One patient is tolerating oral intake at 3 months. Conclusion: Implantation of stents resulted in palliative relief of malignant antrum-pylorus-duodenal obstructions. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Traumatic Intimal Tear of the Renal Artery Treated by Insertion of a Palmaz Stent

A renal artery intimal injury induced by blunt trauma in a 23-year-old man was treated by percutaneous placement of a Palmaz endovascular stent. The patient was placed on anticoagulation for 2 months following stent insertion. Nuclide renal scans demonstrated recovery of normal renal function on the affected side at 9 months postprocedure. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Maturation of the Tract After Percutaneous Cholecystostomy with Regard to the Access Route

Purpose: To assess the shortest time for catheter removal with regard to the transhepatic or transperitoneal approach in patients undergoing percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC). Methods: In this prospective study, 40 consecutive high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis (calculous, n= 22; acalculous, n= 18) underwent PC by means of a transhepatic (n= 20) or transperitoneal (n= 20) access route. In 28 patients (70%) computed tomography was used for puncture guidance, while in the remaining 12 (30%) the procedures were performed under ultrasound control. A fistulography was performed on the 14th postprocedural day in all patients and was repeated weekly if the tract was found to be immature. The catheter was removed only if a mature tract without evidence of leakage was delineated. Results: In 36 of 40 patients the procedure was technically successful (90%). Three of the unsuccessful punctures were attempted transperitoneally and one transhepatically. Thirty-five of 36 patients showed rapid improvement within the first 48 hr following the procedure (96%). Three of them died of their severe underlying disease (7.5%) and in another three the catheter was accidentally removed prior to the first fistulography (7.5%). A total of 30 patients could be fully evaluated after the procedure: 15 with a transhepatic, and 15 with a transperitoneal PC. Whereas 14 of 15 patients (93%) with transhepatic gallbladder access developed a mature tract after 14 days and the remaining patient after 3 weeks, only 2 of 15 patients (13%) with a transperitoneal route presented a mature tract after 2 weeks (p < 0.0001; χ² test with Yates' correction). Eleven patients (73%) with transperitoneal access required 3 weeks and two patients (13%) 4 weeks for complete tract formation. Conclusion: A period of 2 weeks suffices for the majority of patients to develop a mature tract when the transhepatic access route is used; when using the trans- peritoneal route at least 3 weeks are required. We suggest that the transhepatic route is preferable since it allows earlier removal of the catheter and reduces the incidence of complications and discomfort for the patients. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Percutaneous implantation of a catheter with subcutaneous reservoir for intraarterial regional chemotherapy: Technique and preliminary results

Purpose: We present the technique and the preliminary results of percutaneous implantation of intraarterial catheters connected to a subcutaneous infusion reservoir for prolonged regional chemotherapy of hepatic and extrahepatic tumors. Methods: Two hundred patients with primary or secondary hepatic neoplasms, pelvic, pancreatic, renal, lingual, and breast cancer underwent the procedure. The access was the left axillary artery (188 patients) and the femoral artery (12 patients). The catheter tip was placed in the hepatic (170 patients), hypogastric (18), splenic (4), internal thoracic (2), gastroduodenal (3), renal (2) or the external carotid artery (1). The catheter was connected to a subcutaneous reservoir and filled with heparin; chemotherapeutic infusion was subsequently started. Results: One hundred percent immediate technical success was obtained. Forty-three of 200 (21.5%) patients had a complication: 29 patients had a catheter dislodgment, nine had arterial thrombosis, three had a pseudoaneurysm of the left axillary artery and two had a port pocket hematoma. Most complications (37/43, 86%) were treated percutaneously without interruption of chemotherapy. In only six cases (3% of the total population) was chemotherapy discontinued due to the complication itself. The mean duration of catheter patency was 7.2 months. Conclusion: Percutaneous placement of an intraarterial catheter is feasible and causes less discomfort to the patient than the surgical approach. The technique has an acceptable complication rate (21.5%), similar to that for surgical implantation (17.8%), with the advantage that in most cases the complications can be resolved percutaneously. This technique represents an alternative to surgical implantation in the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer and opens new therapeutic possibilities for the local prolonged treatment of other kinds of tumor, though its clinical efficacy must be assessed in selected trials.     

Embolization of Iatrogenic Vascular Injuries of Renal Transplants: Immediate and Follow-Up Results

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome in seven patients in whom iatrogenic vascular complications were treated with catheter embolization. Methods: Angiography showed an arteriovenous fistula in six of the seven patients, a pseudoaneurysm in three patients, and an arteriocaliceal fistula in three patients. Embolization was performed with GAW coils or microcoils in all cases. In three patients enbucrilate, polyvinyl alcohol, or absorbable gelatin powder was administered as an adjunct to the coils. Results: Angiographic success with total occlusion of the vascular injury was achieved in five of the seven patients and clinical success was achieved in four of seven cases. In two cases, nephrectomy after embolization was necessary because of renal artery occlusion or acute hemorrhage at the renal artery anastomosis, respectively. Infarction of 30%–50% of the renal parenchyma was seen in two cases. Conclusion: Angiographically successful embolization is not necessarily associated with clinical success. The complication rate is high.     

Massive Pulmonary Embolism: Treatment with Thrombus Fragmentation and Local Fibrinolysis with Recombinant Human-Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Purpose: To report the results of thrombus fragmentation in combination with local fibrinolysis using recombinant human-tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in patients with massive pulmonary embolism. Methods: Five patients with massive pulmonary embolism were treated with thrombus fragmentation followed by intrapulmonary injection of rtPA. Clot fragmentation was performed with a guidewire, angiographic catheter, and balloon catheter. Three patients had undergone recent surgery; one of them received a reduced dosage of rtPA. Results: All patients survived and showed clinical improvement with a resultant significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the pulmonary blood pressure (mean systolic pulmonary blood pressure before treatment, 49 mmHg; 4 hr after treatment, 28 mmHg). Angiographic follow-up in three patients revealed a decrease in thrombus material and an increase in pulmonary perfusion. Two patients developed retroperitoneal hematomas requiring transfusion. Conclusion: Clot fragmentation and local fibrinolysis with rtPA was an effective therapy for massive pulmonary embolism. Bleeding at the puncture site was a frequent complication. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Varices: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical feasibility of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BORTO) for gastric varices. Methods: BORTO was performed in 14 patients with gastric varices due to liver cirrhosis. The gastric varices were confirmed by endoscopy, and their feeding and draining veins were identified by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and angiography. A 6 Fr Simmons-shaped balloon catheter was inserted into the gastrorenal shunt. The balloon was inflated, and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol was infused slowly through the catheter. Patients were followed up with endoscopy and enhanced CT at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure and every 6 months thereafter. Results: The gastric varices completely disappeared in 12 of 14 patients and was partially resolved in the remaining 2 patients. Neither a recurrence nor an aggravation of gastric varices were found. No major complications were experienced. Conclusion: BORTO is a safe and effective treatment for gastric varices. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Complications Encountered with a Transfemorally Placed Port-Catheter System for Hepatic Artery Chemotherapy Infusion

A port-catheter system was implanted via femoral artery access for hepatic artery chemotherapy infusion. Implantation was attempted in 90 patients and was successful in 88. Blood flow redistribution was performed using embolization coils. In the first ten patients a soft heparin-coated infusion catheter was used. For the following 78 patients we used a stiffer catheter coated with fluorine-acryl-styrene-urethane-silicone (FASUS) copolymer. The catheter was connected to a port implanted subcutaneously below the level of the inguinal ligament. Complications during the procedure and after placement were observed in 7 of 90 patients and 24 of 88 patients, respectively. These included catheter obstruction (11%), dislocation of the catheter tip (10%), drug toxicity (5.7%), and catheter infection (3.4%). In 6 of 10 patients with catheter obstruction, recanalization of the port system was achieved. In 7 of 9 patients with dislocation of the indwelling catheter tip, replacement of the port system was successful. Our complications appear to be comparable with those encountered with the subclavian/brachial approach when the new catheter coating is used. Notable is the avoidance of cerebral infarcts.     

Local Intraarterial Thrombolysis: In Vitro Comparison of Various Infusion Catheters

Purpose: Catheters are compared in vitro to evaluate the efficacy of thrombolysis during urokinase infusion within the thrombus. Methods: Six catheters were introduced individually into human thrombus within a stenotic flow model. Urokinase was infused continuously into the thrombus. To quantify the efficacy of thrombolysis, pressure gradients were recorded proximal and distal to the thrombus and during the course of infusion. Uniformity of lysis was assessed radiographically. Results: The fastest and most homogeneous thrombolysis was achieved with the EDM and the straight-flush catheter, shown by decreasing transthrombotic pressure gradients. All other catheter designs showed less homogeneous and delayed thrombolysis (p≤ 0.001, Friedmann-Test, Schaich-Hamerle). There was no significant difference in the efficacy of thrombus dissolution between the EDM and the straight-flush catheter (Wilcoxon, matched pairs, p> 0.7). Conclusion: The EDM catheter and the straight flush catheter achieved the most homogeneous and fastest thrombolysis, apparently due to the best urokinase distribution within the thrombus. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Extended intraarterial cisplatin infusion for treatment of gynecologic cancer after alteration of intrapelvic blood flow and implantation of a vascular access device

Purpose: Twenty-two patients with advanced gynecologic cancer underwent extended intraarterial cisplatin infusion after alteration of the intrapelvic blood flow and implantation of a vascular access device (VAD). Methods: To maximize concentrations of cisplatin at the target lesion, the superior and inferior gluteal arteries were embolized with steel coils. The tip of the catheter was inserted into the internal iliac artery; the opposite end of the catheter was connected to the VAD. Results: Intensive radioisotope accumulation was demonstrated in the anterior division of the pelvis, seen by scintigraphy performed with technetium 99m macroaggregated albumin via the VAD. Local perfusion in the tumor was well seen by ultrasonographic angiography with CO₂ microbubbles via the VAD. Continuous consecutive infusion of cisplatin at a rate of 12.5 mg/day via the VAD minimized the toxicity. The overall response rate was 73%. Radical surgery was possible in 16 of the 22 patients after this intraarterial infusion. Conclusion: This method was useful for treating advanced gynecologic cancer without significant toxicity. Received: 0/00/000 Accepted: 0/00/00     

Simultaneous Thrombolysis of Superior Mesenteric Artery and Bilateral Renal Artery Thromboembolisms with Three Transfemoral Catheters

Successful treatment was achieved for a patient with superior mesenteric artery thromboembolism concomitant with bilateral renal artery thromboembolism. Thrombi of the three vessels were lysed simultaneously with a three-catheter technique using short-term, high-dose urokinase followed by overnight infusion with low-dose urokinase. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Local Intravascular Drug Delivery: In Vitro Comparison of Three Catheter Systems

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare different catheter systems for local drug delivery with respect to the penetration depth of a biotin marker solution delivered into the vessel wall. Methods: Post-mortem carotid arteries from pigs were locally infused with a biotin solution using three different catheter systems. With all catheters (microporous balloon catheter, hydrogel-coated balloon catheter, and spiral balloon catheter) we used the same pressure of 405 kPa (4 atm) and infusion times of 60, 90, and 300 sec. After infusion the arteries were histologically prepared and stained using a biotin-specific method. With a light microscope an observer, blinded to the catheter type, scored the amount of biotin within the vessel wall, measured as staining intensity, and the penetration depth of the biotin. Results: Delivery with the hydrogel-coated balloon catheter was limited to the intima and the innermost parts of the media. The spiral balloon and microporous balloon catheter showed both a deeper penetration and a larger amount of delivered biotin compared with the hydrogel catheter, with a slightly deeper penetration using the microporous catheter. The penetration depth showed a correlation with infusion time for the spiral balloon and microporous catheters, but not for the hydrogel-coated catheter. Conclusion: Different catheter designs lead to different patterns of local drug delivery. The differences in penetration depth and amount of the substance delivered to the vessel wall should be known and might be useful for targeting specific areas within the vessel wall. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Evaluation of Directional Atherectomy Studied by Intravascular Ultrasound in Femoropopliteal Artery Stenosis

Purpose: To evaluate the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) before and after directional atherectomy (DA) in the treatment of femoropopliteal artery stenosis. Methods: In 12 patients with 16 stenoses IVUS was performed before and immediately after an angiographically successful DA. This was defined as a diameter reduction (DR) ≤ 50%, which was calculated using the minimal lumen diameter compared with the diameter of a nearby ``normal' segment. In the presence of residual plaque on IVUS an additional DA was performed. Endpoints studied were DR ≤ 30% on IVUS compared with the IVUS findings of the angiographically normal reference segment, or when no additional atherosclerotic material could be removed by further DA passages. Results: Additional DA (mean 1.6 per lesion) had to be performed in all patients. Initial DA increased the cross-sectional free lumen area (FLA) from 3.8 ± 2.0 mm² to 8.1 ± 2.7 mm² (p= 0.0004). Additional DA increased FLA to 9.3 ± 2.3 mm² (p= 0.002) after the second passage and to 9.8 ± 2.4 mm² (p= 0.09) after the final DA run. The plaque area (PLA) before DA decreased from 18.1 ± 4.2 mm² to 15.4 ± 4.8 mm² (p= 0.002) after the first passage, and to 13.5 ± 5.0 mm² (p= 0.004) and 12.8 ± 4.4 mm² (p= 0.07) after the second and final DA runs, respectively. PLA of the reference segment (9.5 ± 5.7 mm²) was significantly smaller (p= 0.006) than the final PLA of the treated lesion, indicating a large amount of retained plaque. As a result of DA there was an increase in the area bordered by the medial layer, i.e., the total vessel area (from 21.9 ± 4.7 mm² to 23.0 ± 4.7 mm²), significantly in eccentric and soft lesions. On IVUS, dissection and plaque rupture after the final passage was seen in 12 of 16 stenoses; two dissections were seen on the completion angiogram. After the final passage in all stenoses except three, the DR with IVUS was ≤ 30%. Conclusion: Lumen enlargement following DA is predominantly due to plaque excision. Vessel expansion combined with plaque excision varies in different stenoses and is an important factor in eccentric and soft lesions. Despite additional DA considerable plaque remains. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Therapeutic Consequences of Variation in Intraarterial Pressure Measurements After Iliac Angioplasty

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of intraarterial measurement of transstenotic pressure gradients for the detection of hemodynamically suboptimal iliac angioplasty. Methods: In 14 patients, referred for diagnostic angiography, mean pressure gradients in the aorta and iliac artery were obtained twice, using a double-sensor pressure catheter. Additional iliac measurements were performed during pharmacologically induced flow augmentation. Repeatability was assessed by calculation of the mean difference plus standard deviation (MD ± SD) and repeatability coefficient (2 × SD). These results were extrapolated to 137 iliac angioplasty procedures with secondary stenting where there was a residual pressure gradient > 10 mmHg. Results: MD ± SD for repeated measurements at rest and during flow augmentation were 0 ± 2 mmHg and 1 ± 3 mmHg, respectively. Repeatability coefficients were 3 and 6 mmHg. Mean pressure gradients after hemodynamically insufficient angioplasty were 8 ± 7 mmHg at rest and 17 ± 5 mmHg following vasodilatation. Inaccurate pressure recordings may have led to inappropriate stent placement in less than 2.5%, and inappropriate denial of stent placement in less than 5% of the lesions. Conclusion: Variability of intraarterial pressure measurements has little consequence in the detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis after angioplasty. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Left Lobe Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Lipiodol-TAE via the Left Internal Mammary Artery

A multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was treated with seven transarterial interventions via the hepatic artery over a 2-year, 5-month period before the eighth angiography showed a recurrent HCC in the anterior portion of the left hepatic lobe. The left internal mammary artery (IMA) was feeding the tumor. This was successfully treated with Lipiodol-transcatheter arterial embolization using a coaxial system via a branch of the left IMA. No complications resulted from the procedure. The left IMA should be considered as a possible feeding artery to an HCC occurring in the anterior portion of the left hepatic lobe. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

A new rotational thrombectomy catheter: System design and first clinical experiences

Purpose: To describe a new catheter for the percutaneous mechanical removal of fresh and organized thrombi, and to assess its efficacy and safety in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The catheter consists of a coated stainless steel spiral that rotates at 40,000 rpm over a guidewire inside the whole length of an 8 Fr, single-lumen, polyurethane catheter, driving a dual-blade cutting crown. Abraded occlusion material is sucked into the catheter head through distal side holes and transported by the spiral into a reservoir at the proximal end. The efficacy of the device was tested in arterial models and fresh bovine carotid arteries (n = 72). In a clinical pilot study 10 patients (8 women, 2 men; mean age 70.6 ± 10.1 years) with occlusions of the superficial femoral artery (2–12 cm, mean 5.8 cm), not older than 4 weeks, underwent thrombectomy with the new catheter. Results: In arterial models and bovine cadaver arteries the catheter completely removed fresh thrombi. Occlusion material of higher consistency was cut into particles of 100–500 μm and transported outside. Thrombectomy was successful and vessel patency restored in all 10 patients. The ankle/brachial pressure index significantly (p < 0.0005) increased from 0.41 ± 0.18 before intervention to 0.88 ± 0.15 after 48 hr and to 0.84 ± 0.20 after 3 months. Two reocclusions occurred within 14 days after the intervention. Conclusion: Thrombectomy with the new device appears to be feasible and safe in patients with acute and subacute occlusions of the femoropopliteal artery.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Iliac Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms with Cragg Endopro System 1 Stent-Grafts

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term follow-up results of treating iliac aneurysms by the Cragg Endopro System 1 stent-graft. Methods: Nine lesions (two pseudoaneurysms and seven atherosclerotic aneurysms) were treated in eight patients by percutaneous implantation of a total of 10 stent-grafts. The procedure was followed by anticoagulation with heparin for 6 days, then antiplatelet therapy. Follow-up was by color Doppler ultrasound scan at 2 days and 3 months after the procedure for all patients, and by venous digital subtraction angiography and/or angio-CT up to 12 months later for four patients. Results: Initial clinical success rate was 100% and there were two minor complications. In one case the delivery system was faulty resulting in failure to deploy the stent-graft. An additional device had to be used. At 3–12 months all prostheses were patent but one patient (12.5%) had a minimal pergraft leak. Conclusion: Percutaneous stent-grafting with this device is a safe and efficacious treatment of iliac artery aneurysms. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Comparative Efficacy of Pulse-Spray Thrombolysis and Angioplasty Versus Surgical Salvage Procedures for Treatment of Recurrent Occlusion of PTFE Dialysis Access Grafts

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of surgery versus pulse-spray thrombolysis and angioplasty in patients with recurrent thrombosis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dialysis access grafts. Methods: We analyzed 96 consecutive interventions for thrombosed PTFE dialysis access grafts in 18 patients. Primary patency after thrombolysis and angioplasty (n= 25) was compared with primary patency following thrombectomy alone (n= 50) or thrombectomy followed by graft revision (n= 21) using life-table analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model that accounted for graft age and number of previous interventions was used to generate the relative risk for recurrent occlusion following therapy. Results: Life-table analysis showed that patency after thrombolysis and angioplasty was greater than that following thrombectomy alone (p= 0.02). After accounting for the age of the graft and the number of previous interventions (average six per patient), the relative risk for recurrent occlusion [3.0; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.5, 6.4] was greater for thrombectomy alone than for thrombolysis/angioplasty [0.6; CI = 0.3, 1.3]. The relative risks of repeat occlusion following thrombolysis/angioplasty [0.6; CI = 0.3, 1.3] and thrombectomy/surgical revision [1.0; CI = 0.5, 1.7] were similar. Conclusion: Outcome data from our retrospective study on recurrent thrombosis of PTFE dialysis access grafts suggest that thrombolysis/angioplasty is superior to thrombectomy alone, and equivalent to thrombectomy/surgical revision.     

Intraarterial Infusion Therapy via a Subcutaneous Port for Limb-Threatening Ischemia: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To present the initial results of a new percutaneously implantable catheter port system (PIPS) used for long-term intraarterial infusion therapy in patients with severe ischemic limb disease. Methods: Ten patients with deep, extended ischemic ulcerations (all 10) and osteomyelitis (6/10) of the foot received intraarterial infusions of prostaglandine E₁ and antibiotics, if indicated, via a new port catheter system with the port placed subcutaneously above the groin after percutaneous introduction and the catheter tip placed into the superficial or deep femoral artery. Results: Port implantation and repeated port access were uncomplicated. During the follow-up period (mean 11 months, range 1 week–50 months), port migration, leakage, or infection was not observed. Three catheters thrombosed and were opened by fibrinolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator instilled via the port. Treatment success was achieved in 8 patients: relief from rest pain (8 patients), reduction of ulcer size (4/8), and complete healing (4/8). Limb savage rate was 80%. In 2 patients amputation could not be avoided. Conclusion: Selective long-term arterial infusion therapy presents a valuable therapeutic regimen for limb salvage. With the new catheter port system, repeated local intraarterial infusion is safe and simple.     

Preoperative Embolization of Cervical Spine Tumors

Purpose: To assess the technical success rate, complications, and effect on intraoperative blood loss of preoperative transarterial embolization of cervical spine tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 38 patients with tumors of the cervical spine; 69 vertebrae were affected. Polyvinyl alcohol particles, coils, gelfoam particles, either alone or in combination, were used for preoperative tumor embolization. After embolization a total of 57 corporectomies with titanium basket implantation were performed. Results: In 36 of 38 patients, complete (n= 27) or partial (n= 9) embolization was achieved. In 23 patients one vertebral artery was completely occluded by coil placement, and in one patient the ipsilateral internal and external carotid arteries were occluded in addition. No neurological complications could be directly related to the embolization, but two postoperative brain stem infarctions occurred. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 2.4 L. Conclusion: Transarterial embolization of cervical spine tumors is a safe and effective procedure to facilitate extensive surgery. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00