Endovascular treatment for an iliac artery-ureteral fistula with a covered stent

Iliac artery-ureteral fistula (IAUF) is a rare entity that has a potential risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. It is difficult to diagnose and treat appropriately. Conventional treatment for the disease consists of surgical ligation and vascular reconstruction or coil embolization. Surgical treatment is usually difficult for patients with several risk factors. In recent years, endovascular stent-graft treatment for iliac artery pseudoaneurysm has been reported. The present report describes two cases in which endovascular covered stent-graft treatment was successfully applied to treat IAUF, with good clinical outcomes.     

Metallic stent placement for treating peripheral outflow lesions in native arteriovenous fistula hemodialysis patients after insufficient balloon dilatation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report our experience with metallic stent placement in the peripheral outflow veins in native arteriovenous fistula (A-V fistula) hemodialysis patients after insufficient balloon dilatation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the past 4 years, 12 A-V fistula dialysis patients in our hospital underwent metallic stent placement in the peripheral outflow veins to restore vascular access. The indications for metallic stent placement in our study included (1) recoil stenosis of outflow vein in six patients; (2) outflow venous rupture in two patients and dissection in one patient; and (3) large residual adherent thrombus in outflow aneurysms in three patients with thrombosed (arteriovenous) access. Self-expandable Wallstent or Jostent (Jomed, Abbott Laboratories) of appropriate size (6-10 mm in diameter) was chosen for use in these patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the access patency rates. RESULTS: Twelve patients received stents. Eleven patients (92%) underwent successful dialysis after the procedure. One patient experienced complications due to incorrect positioning of the stent at the anastomotic site, causing flow compromise. The primary patency (+/- standard error) of the vascular access at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 92% +/- 8%, 81% +/- 12%, 31% +/- 17%, and 31% +/- 17%, respectively. The secondary patency of the vascular access at 3 months was 92% +/- 8%, and 82% +/- 12% at 6, 12, and 24 months each. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement is safe and effective in treating peripheral venous lesions in native A-V fistula hemodialysis patients after unsatisfactory balloon dilatation.     

Iliac artery stent placement: clinical experience and short-term follow-up regarding a self-expanding nitinol stent

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and short-term patency rates of a self-expandable nitinol stent (JostentSelfX; Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL) for treatment of iliac artery stenoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 34 chronic iliac artery stenoses were primarily treated in 27 patients (mean age, 61.7 years +/- 9.4) by placement of a JostentSelfX. Handling and visibility of the stent was scored on a 4-point scale. Before stent placement, within 3 days after stent placement and at 6 months follow-up, the clinical history, clinical stage according to the Rutherford classification, and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) were assessed. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography including measurement of the mean pressure gradient was performed at the time of stent placement and at 6 months follow-up or in case of recurrence of symptoms. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kaplan-Meier method were applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The immediate technical success rate was 94%. The clinical success rate immediately after the procedure was 96% and 85% at 6 months follow-up. Stent placement significantly decreased the severity of stenoses as well as the mean pressure gradients and significantly increased the ABI. Handling of the stent was judged good. No misplacement occurred. Foreshortening during deployment was negligible and no stent migration was seen. However, visibility of the stent during fluoroscopy was ranked as moderate to bad. Follow-up at 6 months revealed the cumulative angiographic primary patency rate (<50% restenosis and <10 mm Hg mean pressure gradient) to be 0.96. CONCLUSION: The evaluated self-expandable nitinol stent is an effective tool in treating iliac artery stenoses. Apart from poor visibility, handling was good. The angiographic patency rate is comparable with data reported in other stent trials.     

移植肾动脉狭窄的球囊扩张及支架治疗

目的评价肾移植术后肾动脉狭窄球囊扩张及支架植入治疗的疗效。方法对2002年6月～2008年12月肾移植病房的16例肾移植后3个月～4年发生的肾动脉狭窄患者行经皮肾动脉成形术。结果手术成功率100%,术后除1例血压在支架置入2h后下降,术后3d又升高外,其余血肌酐、血压均明显下降,症状缓解率93.7%。1例出现穿刺点血肿;3例发生再狭窄,通过二次球囊扩张及支架植入治疗缓解。结论球囊扩张及支架置入治疗肾移植术后肾动脉狭窄安全有效,是首选治疗方法 。     

Recanalization results after carotid stent placement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The details of stent reconstruction in the vascular lumen and of the adaptation of carotid stents, the vessel wall, and the vascular anatomy are only occasionally reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate and longer-term anatomic results after implantation of self-expanding carotid stents. METHODS: In a retrospective study, pre- and postprocedural angiograms and duplex sonograms from 40 consecutive carotid stent procedures in 39 patients (22 men, 17 women; mean age, 67 years; age range, 53-84 years) with high-grade (> or =70 %) internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses were evaluated to assess the expansion of the vascular lumen, apposition of the stent, and geometric changes in the ICA after the implantation of rolling-membrane and carotid Wallstents (n = 22) or Easy Wallstents (n = 18). RESULTS: Optimal widening of the lumen and apposition of the stent were achieved in 11 (28%) of 40 arteries. Residual stenoses (n = 16), free stent filaments not attached to the vessel wall (n = 21), and stent-induced kinking of the ICA (n = 6) were minor shortcomings of stent reconstruction. Because of one death, peri-interventional morbidity and mortality rates were 3%. During follow-up (median, 24 months), one high-grade restenosis, one ipsilateral stroke, and two ipsilateral transient ischemic attacks were observed. CONCLUSION: Suboptimal anatomic results frequently occur after endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis with self-expanding Wallstents. With the exception of one symptomatic restenosis, no major complications or longer-term sequelae were clearly related to these findings, but further controlled follow-up studies of larger samples are required.     

Balloon dilatation and stent placement of suprahepatic caval anastomotic stenosis following liver transplantation

We present an unusual case of suprahepatic caval anastomotic stenosis after adult liver transplantation in the early postoperative period. Color flow Doppler sonography and cavography were used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Success-ful nonoperative treatment of the obstruction was achieved by balloon dilatation and subsequent implantation of a vascular stent.     

Residual stenosis after conventional balloon angioplasty for hemodialysis shunt failure: treatment with metallic stent placement and post-balloon dilatation

PURPOSE: The usefulness of metallic stent placement and post-balloon dilatation was investigated for patients with residual stenosis after conventional percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (balloon PTA) of dialysis shunt vessels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 92 patients who had received balloon PTA for dialysis shunt vessels, seven patients who showed a residual waist on the balloon even under maximum inflation were enrolled in this study. In these patients with residual stenosis after balloon PTA, we inserted a stent in the residual stenosis, and post-balloon dilatation was immediately applied using the same balloon catheter. RESULTS: After balloon PTA, the average percent diameter stenosis declined to 45.5 +/- 7.30%, and the stenosis was further improved to an average of 19.3 +/- 7.09% after the placement of a stent and the additional balloon PTA. The average percent diameter dilatation of the balloon before the placement of a stent was 65.8 +/- 12.7%, while the average dilatation increased to 84.1 +/- 8.96% after the placement of a stent. Dialysis became possible immediately after the procedure in all cases. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement and post-balloon dilatation was effective for patients with residual stenosis after conventional balloon PTA of dialysis shunt vessels.     

Impact of different hemodynamic criteria for stent placement after suboptimal iliac angioplasty. Dutch Iliac Stent Trial Study Group.

PURPOSE: To investigate the consequences of different hemodynamic criteria as indications for stent placement after suboptimal iliac angioplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients with intermittent claudication, on the basis of atherosclerotic disease of the iliac artery, underwent angioplasty. Intraarterial systolic and mean pressures were simultaneously recorded above and below the lesion, with and without vasodilation, and before and after percutaneous angioplasty. These data were used to estimate what proportion of the study population would be eligible for stent placement according to different criteria reported in the literature. Subsequently, the authors compared peak systolic velocity (PSV) ratios during follow-up in their patients, with and without indication for stent placement according to two different criteria. RESULTS: Applying the different thresholds reported in the literature to the patient group shows that stent placement would be indicated in anywhere from 4% to 87% of cases. No difference was observed when PSV ratios were compared in patients with a residual mean pressure gradient of > or = 5 and < or = 10 mm Hg with patients with a residual mean pressure gradient of less than 5 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the various published thresholds as indications for secondary stent placement leads to a wide range in proportion of cases requiring stent placement. Lesions with a residual mean pressure gradient of > 5 and < 10 mm Hg fare as well as lesions with a residual mean pressure gradient of less than 5 mm Hg. The optimal criterion is still not clear.     

Carotid angioplasty and stent placement for restenosis after endarterectomy

Introduction Recurrent carotid stenosis following endarterectomy is a common complication, and reoperation may be associated with increased morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine the procedural safety and long-term complication rates of carotid angioplasty and stenting for recurrent stenosis. Methods Of 248 consecutive carotid angioplasty and/or stenting procedures performed at our institution between March 1996 and November 2005, 83 procedures for recurrent stenosis following endarterectomy were performed in 75 patients (mean age 68 years; 43 men, 32 women) without cerebral protection devices. The patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed for vascular imaging reports and available clinical follow-up. Procedural and long-term complication rates were calculated. Results Recurrent stenosis was reduced from a mean of 80.6% to no significant stenosis in 82 of 83 procedures. The procedural stroke rate was 3 out of 83 procedures (3.6%). The procedural transient ischemic attack (TIA) rate was 2 out of 83 procedures (2.4%). Mean follow-up was 22.4 months (range 0.1 to 86.7 months) with at least 6 months follow-up for 54 of 83 procedures (65%). There were five TIAs and no strokes on follow-up (new TIAs at 25.5 and 43.4 months; recurrent TIAs at 1, 11.1, and 12 months, all with normal angiograms). The composite 30-day stroke, myocardial infarction, or death rate was 5 of 83 procedures (6.0%). Conclusion In this series, angioplasty and stenting were effective in relieving stenosis secondary to recurrent carotid disease after endarterectomy, and have low rates of ischemic complications.     

食管癌性重度狭窄并食管-气道瘘的内支架置入治疗

目的探讨食管癌性重度狭窄合并食管-气道瘘的内支架置入效果。方法透视下,27例食管重度癌性狭窄合并食管-气道瘘患者置入食管覆膜内支架。结果支架全部一次性置入成功,瘘口完全封堵,患者恢复正常进食,肺部感染得以控制。结论内支架置入治疗食管癌性狭窄并食管-气道瘘损伤小、操作简单安全、并发症少、成功率高,控制呛咳具有立竿见影的效果。     

暂时性蘑菇状内支架与经鼻经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘

目的探讨暂时性蘑菇状覆膜内支架与经鼻经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘的疗效。方法对8例食管-胃吻合口瘘患者透视下,经鼻腔和食管向脓腔内置入引流管,负压抽吸脓液,再经食管置入蘑菇状覆膜内支架封堵瘘口。定时经引流管冲洗脓腔,适时复查脓腔造影,及时调整后退引流管的位置,直至引流管完全拔出;在置入术后1个月左右(约在引流管拔出后1周)取出支架。结果8例蘑菇状覆膜内支架和引流管置入技术操作全部成功,放置位置合适。经鼻经食管脓腔引流14～21d,脓腔消失,引流管完全拔出。置入术后1个月内以介入技术顺利取出支架,复查造影瘘口均愈合,脓腔消失。结论暂时性蘑菇状覆膜内支架与经鼻腔经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘,操作简单安全、无严重并发症、花费低、创伤小,是一项值得推广的新技术。     

Influence of stent type on hemodynamic depression after carotid artery stent placement

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of stent type on hypotension and bradycardia after carotid artery stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis on a prospectively maintained database was conducted in 256 patients (126 men; mean age, 71.8 years +/- 8.6; 194 de novo lesions) undergoing carotid artery stent placement between January 1996 and January 2007 by using self-expanding stents. Braided Elgiloy stents (Wallstents) were used in 44 of the 256 patients (17.2%) and slotted-tube nitinol stents were deployed in 212 (82.8%). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the influence of stent design on procedural and 24-hour hypotension and bradycardia. RESULTS: Procedural hemodynamic depression (HD) was encountered in 73 of the 256 patients (28.5%) due to hypotension in 24 (9.4%), bradycardia in 12 (4.7%), or both in 37 (14.5%) patients. Rates of procedural hypotension were 11.3% with nitinol stents and 0% with braided Elgiloy stents (P = .0188). Persistent postprocedural HD occurred in 91 of the 256 patients (35.5%) due to hypotension in 40 patients (15.6%), bradycardia in 23 (9.0%), or both in 28 (10.9%). Within a multivariable analysis adjusted for clinically relevant factors affecting rates of HD, the use of braided Elgiloy stents was associated with a decreased rate of procedural hypotension (odds ratio: 0.165; 95% confidence interval: 0.038, 0.721; P = .017). Procedural hypotension and bradycardia were not correlated to incidence of major adverse events but were associated with an increased duration of hospital stay (P = .0059 and P = .0335, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nitinol stents are associated with a higher risk of hypotension as compared to braided Elgiloy stents during carotid artery stent placement.     

Long-term results 10 years after iliac arterial stent placement

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate results in 110 patients who had iliac arterial occlusive disease and were treated with stents before 1991. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1990, 110 patients (mean age, 57 years) with iliac arterial occlusive disease (Fontaine stage IIa, seven patients; IIb, 95 patients; III, four patients; IV, four patients) underwent implantation of a self-expanding metal stent. Stenoses (n = 66) were treated after failed angioplasty, and occlusions (n = 60) were treated with primary stent placement. Follow-up included angiography and/or color duplex ultrasonography and clinical examination with ankle-brachial index measurement. Patients lost to follow-up were interviewed by using dedicated questionnaires administered by telephone and/or mail. If a patient was deceased, relatives and attending doctors were interviewed. RESULTS: The fate of 109 of the 110 patients was determined. Overall, 46 patients died: 18 within 5 years, 39 within 10 years, and seven after more than 10 years. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 83% and 64%, respectively. Cardiovascular disease caused 23 deaths; malignant tumor caused 15. The cause of death remained unknown in five patients. Primary stent patency rates were 66% +/- 4.8 (standard error) after 5 years and 46% +/- 5.9 after 10 years; secondary patency rates were 79% +/- 4.2 after 5 years and 55% +/- 6.3 after 10 years (Kaplan-Meier test). Seventeen (16%) patients underwent surgical bypass of the aortoiliac arteries that involved the segment with the stent, 14 because of stent restenosis and three because of stenosis in other iliac arterial segments. CONCLUSION: The main cause of death in patients with intermittent claudication was cardiac disease. Long-term patency of iliac arterial stents was moderate.     

自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架治疗食管-气管瘘

目的:探讨自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架治疗各种食管瘘的方法,常见并发症的预防与处理。方法:采用自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架,在X线监视下或胃直视下用推送器经口置入食管病变部位,共治疗食管瘘患者57例,其中食管-气管瘘18例,食管-支气管瘘25例,食管-纵隔瘘9例,食管-纵隔-支气管瘘5例。结果:57例患者均顺利完成支架置入,即时堵瘘率为100%,未出现技术问题及严重并发症。所有患者均达到了改善进食、提高生活质量的治疗效果。结论:自膨式国产食管覆膜支架适用于治疗各种食管瘘,操作简便、疗效安全,且价格低廉,是一项值得推广的技术。     

Factors predictive of cerebral hyperperfusion after carotid angioplasty and stent placement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome has been increasingly reported as a complication of carotid angioplasty and stent placement. The aim of the present study was to determine significant predictors of hyperperfusion phenomenon after carotid angioplasty and stent placement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients with unilateral severe carotid stenosis who underwent angioplasty and stent placement. Resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) to acetazolamide challenge were quantitatively measured to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic reserve. Split-dose [(123)I] iodoamphetamine single photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed before and 7 days after carotid angioplasty and stent placement. Technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) SPECT was performed immediately after the procedure. RESULTS: Three patients had cerebral hyperperfusion phenomenon immediately after angioplasty and stent placement, as shown by HMPAO SPECT: One developed status epilepticus 2 weeks after the procedure. Significant predictors of hyperperfusion included patient age, pretreatment CVR, and pretreatment asymmetry index ([ipsilateral resting CBF/contralateral resting CBF] x 100). Variables determined not to be significant risk factors included pretreatment resting CBF value, degree of carotid stenosis, and interval from the onset of ischemic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Significant predictors of hyperperfusion phenomenon after carotid angioplasty and stent placement included patient age, pretreatment CVR, and pretreatment asymmetry index. Pretreatment CBF measurements, including those obtained by quantifying CVR and performing SPECT immediately after the procedure may aid in identifying patients at risk and in initiating careful monitoring and control of blood pressure to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome.