自膨式金属支架置入术改善胃食管交界处腺癌患者呑咽困难的临床价值

[目的]探讨自膨式金属支架(SEMS)置入术改善胃食管交界处腺癌患者吞咽困难的价值及安全性。[方法]纳入已失去手术机会或拒绝手术治疗的胃食管交界处腺癌伴吞咽困难患者48例,按患者意愿分为SEMS置入治疗组及不置入SEMS的对照组,记录SEMS置入过程中及之后1周的症状及不良反应,并于3、6、12个月对2组患者进行症状、辅助检查及生存状况随访。[结果]治疗组25例患者,均一次性成功置入SEMS,在置入过程中未出现明显并发症,其中96.00%(24/25)患者置入支架后吞咽困难症状明显改善;对照组23例经给予促动力药等治疗后,仅8.69%(2/23)症状稍改善;2组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.000)。6个月、12个月的生存率治疗组分别为64.00%、48.00%,对照组分别为30.43%、0%,治疗组的生存时间明显长于对照组(P=0.021、0.000)。[结论]SEMS置入术是比较安全的治疗胃食管交界处腺癌吞咽困难的方法,可明显改善患者生活质量并明显延长生存时间。     

Novel biliary self-expanding metal stents: indications and applications

Endoscopic insertion of a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) through a malignant common bile duct stricture is the first line of palliation for malignant jaundice. Patency of these stents remains a major concern. SEMS dysfunction can result from tumor ingrowth, overgrowth and/or clogging. Initial SEMS modifications involved covering the central part of the stent in order to reduce ingrowth and ultimately increase patency. Fully covered stents became available shortly after reports of their use in human patients. The potential removability and radial strength of SEMS have led to evaluation of their use in new indications including benign biliary strictures, post sphincterotomy bleeding and perforation. Other aspects of development include the addition of features such as anti-reflux valves, drug elution and spontaneous biodegradability. These aspects and their clinical implications are reviewed and discussed.     

Self-expanding metallic stents for gastric outlet obstruction resulting from stomach cancer: a preliminary study with a newly designed double-layered pyloric stent

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic stent placement is now generally accepted as a palliative treatment for gastric outlet obstruction resulting from gastric cancer, it carries potential limitations such as tumor ingrowth or migration. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the technical and clinical efficacy of endoscopic placement of a newly designed double-layered combination pyloric stent. DESIGN: Prospective, uncontrolled, single-center. SETTING: Tertiary referral university hospital. PATIENTS: Eleven patients with gastric outlet obstruction by unresectable stomach cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Eleven patients received a double-layered combination pyloric stent (an outer uncovered stent to reduce migration and an inner polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent to prevent tumor ingrowth). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: To evaluate technical success, clinical success, and complications, especially tumor ingrowth and migration. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 11 of 11 (100%) patients. Among 11 patients in whom endoscopic stenting was placed successfully, clinical success was 90.9%, tumor ingrowth 0%, migration 9.1%, and tumor overgrowth 9.1%. Median stent patency period was 121 days. LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients, uncontrolled study, short-term follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a technique for endoscopic metal stent placement by using the newly designed double-layered combination stent for gastric outlet obstruction by stomach cancer. This stent seems to be effective and looks promising for technical efficacy, clinical outcome, and preventing tumor ingrowth and migration.     

Comparative retrospective study on the use of plastic prostheses and self-expanding metal stents in the palliative treatment of malignant strictures of the esophagus and cardia

Palliative treatment of malignant strictures of the esophagus and cardia is usually carried out by the endoscopic placement of a prosthesis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes of the use of expandable stents, compared with conventional plastic prostheses. One hundred and thirteen endoscopic intubations were carried out in 120 patients affected by malignant stenosis of the esophagus and cardia using plastic prosthesis and self-expanding metal stents. Dysphagia was scored according to Atkinson and Ferguson's classification and the preoperative median score (3.6) was comparable in both groups. The technical success rate was 94.4% with plastic prosthesis and 93.7% with self-expanding metal stent while the functional success rate was, respectively, 85.2% and 88.8%. Three deaths occurred with plastic prostheses (4.4%), while no deaths were observed with metal stents. A comparative analysis of the results of this study suggests that the endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents is effective and safe and has to be preferred to the conventional plastic prosthesis for easier implantation and lower morbidity.     

A new technique to anchor stents for exact placement in ostial stenoses: the stent tail wire or Szabo technique.

This report describes a technique for correct positioning of a stent in an ostial stenosis by using a second wire passed through the last cell of a stent. The anchor wire technique, first described by Szabo et al. [Szabo S, Abramowitz B, Vaitkus PT. Am J Cardiol 2005;96:212H], will facilitate precise ostial stent placement and eliminate errors of positioning inside or outside the ostial narrowing.     

Sealing of esophageal perforation or ruptures with expandable metallic stents: A prospective controlled study on treatment efficacy and limitations

Esophageal perforations are surgical emergencies with high mortality rates. A variety of treatment strategies have been advocated. No single strategy has however, been fully applicable to deal with most situations. The aim of this study was to investigate if treatment with covered expandable metallic stents could offer a feasible option for the management of a leaking esophagus regardless of cause. Twenty-two consecutive patients with perforation or leakage from the intrathoracic esophagus were endoscopically treated with placement of a covered expandable metallic stent. Nine patients had esophageal cancer and 13 had benign underlying disease of whom two had a leakage from a surgical anastomosis. The leakage could be sealed in all but one patient. This patient died after an open esophageal diversion procedure. Twelve patients had an uneventful recovery, whereas three patients needed percutaneous drainage of abscesses and one drainage of the pleural cavity through a small thoracotomy. One patient required a conventional thoracotomy to drain the mediastinum. In total five (23%) patients died from the perforation within 30 days. Two of the deaths were unrelated and three (14%) related to the perforation. In patients with benign disease stents were removed or replaced after 3 weeks. In total 17 stents were successfully removed. Leakage from a damage esophagus can be effectively covered by expandable metallic stents seemingly regardless of the underlying cause and is likely to offer a good chance of survival even in severely ill patients.     

Use of a branch wire to anchor stents for exact placement proximal to bifurcation stents: the reverse Szabo technique.

This report describes a technique for correct positioning of a stent proximal to a bifurcation lesion treated with V-stents. A second wire passed through the first cell of a stent, the opposite end of the anchor wire technique as first described by Szabo et al, facilitated precise stent placement and eliminated erroneous positioning inside or outside the treated bifurcation lesion.     

Bench top evaluation and clinical experience with the szabo technique

Background : The Szabo technique has been described as a method to ensure accurate ostial stent placement. We sought to investigate this novel technique in detail both in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results : The technique was subjected to bench testing and also undertaken in 26 patients. Each step was recorded with cine angiography and the stents imaged by microcomputed tomography. The ostial LAD was treated in 81% and a DES was implanted in 92%. Angiographic success was 88.5% (one case of stent dislodgement). Repeat angiography was performed in 78% and restenosis observed in two patients. MACE rate at 15.5 ± 5.1 months was 13% (1 TLR, 1 MI, 1 cardiac death). Despite a seemingly excellent immediate angiographic result, we report one case of restenosis at follow up and one case of IVUS examination (performed in four patients) in which significant stent protrusion, into the proximal main vessel, was observed. In vitro bench testing confirmed a significant and asymmetric (carina side) stent protrusion into the main branch, with the last cell of the stent undergoing significant deformation. Conclusions : The Szabo technique is not a precise technique to implant a stent at the level of the ostium. The proximal end of the stent undergoes significant and asymmetric deformation, protruding into main branch. Additional concerns with this complex technique include the potential for stent damage or contamination before implantation and the risk of stent dislodgement. We conclude that there are more disadvantages than benefits to this technique which only partially addresses the difficulties encountered in the treating ostial lesions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Results and follow-up after implantation of four or more sirolimus-eluting stents in the same patient.

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of > or =4 sirolimus-eluting stent (SES; Cypher, Cordis, Johnson and Johnson) implantation. The safety of implantation of > or =4 SESs in the same patient and setting has not been established. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that sirolimus administration with the use of multiple stents may diminish the platelet inhibitory effects of clopidogrel and may trigger drug-drug interactions. We identified 96 consecutive patients (96 procedures) who underwent implantation of > or =4 SESs in 365 lesions (438 stents) during the same procedure. All patients received aspirin indefinitely and clopidogrel or ticlopidine for at least 1 year postprocedure; 57% and 47% of the patients were on calcium channel blocker and statin therapy, respectively. All stents were successfully deployed and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 50% of the procedures. There were no in-hospital deaths, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), urgent bypass surgery, or repeat percutaneous coronary intervention; 18 patients (19%) suffered non-Q-wave MI (defined as CK-MB elevation >3 times the upper limit of normal). At 30-day follow-up, there was one (1%) subacute thrombosis resulting in target lesion revascularization. At mean follow-up time of 15.4 +/- 6.2 months, the frequency of target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, and major adverse cardiac event rates were 12%, 16%, and 18%, respectively. No other notable clinical events that might have been attributed to the possible drug-drug interactions or discontinuation of concomitant antithrombotic, statin, or calcium channel blocker therapy were reported. Multiple (> or =4) SES implantation appears safe with no increase in major adverse cardiac events.     

Cost-effectiveness of the unrestricted use of sirolimus-eluting stents vs. bare metal stents at 1 and 2-year follow-up: results from the RESEARCH Registry.

AIMS: To assess the cost-effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) compared with bare metal stents (BMSs) as the default strategy in unselected patients treated in the Rapamycin Eluting Stent Evaluated At Rotterdam Cardiology Hospital (RESEARCH) Registry at 1 and 2-years following the procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 508 consecutive patients with de novo lesions exclusively treated with SES were compared with 450 patients treated with BMS from the immediate preceding period. Resource use and costs of the index procedure, and clinical outcomes were prospectively recorded over a 2-year follow-up period. Follow-up costs were measured as unit costs per patient based on the incidence of clinically driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), to obtain cumulative costs at 1 and 2-years. Cost-effectiveness was measured as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per TVR avoided. The use of SES cost euro 3,036 more per patient at the index procedure, driven by the price of SES. Follow-up costs after 1-year were euro 1,089 less with SES when compared with BMS, due to less TVR, resulting in a net excess cost of euro 1,968 per patient in the SES group, and reduced by a further euro 100 per patient in the second year. The incidence of death or myocardial infarction between groups was similar at 1 and 2 years. Rates of TVR in the SES and BMS groups were 3.7% vs. 10.4%, P<0.01 at 1 year, respectively; and 6.4% vs. 14.7%, P<0.001 at 2 years. The ICER per TVR avoided was euro 29,373 at 1 year, and euro 22,267 at 2 years. CONCLUSION: The use of SES, while significantly beneficial in reducing the need for repeat revascularization, was more expensive and not cost-effective in the RESEARCH registry at either 1 or 2-years when compared with BMS. On the basis of these results, in an unselected population with 1 year of follow-up, the unit price of SES would have to be euro 1,023 in order to be cost-neutral.     

Late loss of early benefit from drug-eluting stents when compared with bare-metal stents and coronary artery bypass surgery: 3 years follow-up of the ERACI III registry.

Aims: Long-term benefit from coronary revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DES) relative to bare metal stents (BMS) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has not been established. One year follow-up of the ERACI III registry study showed better outcome with DES. To compare major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rates in patients with multivessel cardiovascular disease (CVD) who received DES with those patients treated with BMS or CABG in the ERACI II trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with multivessel CVD who met the ERACI II trial, clinical and angiographic inclusion criteria were treated with DES and enrolled in the ERACI III registry. The primary endpoint was 3-year MACCE. ERACI III-DES patients (n = 225) were compared with the BMS (n = 225) and CABG (n = 225) arms of ERACI II. Patients treated with DES were older, more often smokers, more often high risk by euroSCORE and less frequently had unstable angina. They also had higher incidence of type C lesions and received more stents than the BMS-treated cohort. Three year MACCE was lower in ERACI III-DES (22.7%) than in ERACI II-BMS (29.8%, P = 0.015), mainly reflecting less target vessel revascularization (14.2 vs. 24.4%, P = 0.009). MACCE rates at 3 years were similar in DES and CABG-treated patients (22.7%, P = 1.0), in contrast to results at 1 year (12 vs. 19.6%, P = 0.038). MACCE rates in ERACI III-DES were higher in diabetics (RR 0.81, 0.66-0.99; P = 0.018). Death or non-fatal MI at 3 years trended higher in the DES (10.2%) than BMS cohort (6.2%, P = 0.08) and lower than in CABG patients (15.1%, P = 0.07). Sub-acute late-stent thrombosis (LST) (>30 days) occurred in nine DES patients and no BMS patients (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In patients with multivessel CVD, the initial advantage for PCI with DES over CABG observed at 1 year was not apparent by 3 years. Furthermore, despite continued lower incidence of MACCE, initial advantage over BMS appeared to decrease with time. LST occurred more frequent in DES-treated patients.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention of or through saphenous vein grafts or internal mammary arteries: the impact of stents, adjunctive pharmacology, and multicomponent distal protection.

We hypothesized that the use of stents and aggressive adjunctive pharmacotherapies has been associated with lower rates of complicating myocardial infarction (MI) and improved long-term outcomes compared to either previous balloon-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or atheroablative intervention for lesions of or through saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and/or internal mammary arteries (IMAs). PCI of SVG has been complicated by relatively high rates of procedural MI and less favorable long-term outcomes than native vessel PCI, stimulating the development and application of an array of technologies. This study was based on retrospective review of stent-era (1999-2004) 5-year experience of a single center with 95 SVG procedures in 85 patients and 20 IMA procedures in 20 patients. These cases were compared with the previously published experience of one of the operators during the balloon-only period and literature review of the application of multiple technologies to SVG intervention, as well as consideration of the reoperation alternative. There was one in-hospital death each in the SVG cohort (1%) and in the IMA cohort (5%). There were SIX procedural MIs (6%), defined by total CK > normal, and 19 procedural MIs (20%) based on troponin-I > 1.0. Follow-up has been from 4 months to 5 years (average, 2.5 years), with 91% survival and one late CABG in the IMA group. SVG PCI with stents and adjunctive pharmacotherapies is associated with relatively low rates of procedural MI and favorable long-term outcomes.     

Endovascular technique using a snare and suture for retrieving a migrated peripherally inserted central catheter in the left pulmonary artery

We report a successful endovascular technique using a snare with a suture for retrieving a migrated broken peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)in a chemotherapy patient.A 62-year-old male received monthly chemotherapy through a central venous port implanted into his right subclavian area.The patient completed chemotherapy without complications 1 mo ago;however,he experienced pain in the right subclavian area during his last chemotherapy session.Computed tomography on that day showed migration of a broken PICC in his left pulmonary artery,for which the patient was admitted to our hospital.We attempted to retrieve the ectopic PICC through the right jugular vein using a gooseneck snare,but were unsuccessful because the catheter was lodged in the pulmonary artery wall.Therefore,a second attempt was made through the right femoral vein using a snare with triple loops,but we could not grasp the migrated PICC.Finally,a string was tied to thetop of the snare,allowing us to curve the snare toward the pulmonary artery by pulling the string.Finally,the catheter body was grasped and retrieved.The endovascular suture technique is occasionally extremely useful and should be considered by interventional cardiologists for retrieving migrated catheters.     

Four‐year clinical outcome of sirolimus‐ and paclitaxel‐eluting stents compared to bare‐metal stents for the percutaneous treatment of stable coronary artery disease

Background : There are limited data on the long‐term safety and efficacy profile of coronary stent implantation in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objective : We aimed to assess the 4‐year clinical outcome in patients who received a bare‐metal stent (BMS), sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES), or a paclitaxel‐eluting stent (PES) for the percutaneous treatment of stable angina in our center during 2000–2005. Methods : In the study period, a total of 2,449 consecutive patients (BMS = 1,005; SES = 373; and PES = 1071) underwent a PCI as part of three historical PCI‐cohorts for stable angina and were routinely followed for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results : At 4 years follow‐up, 264 BMS patients (26.8%) had a MACE, compared to 75 SES patients (20.9%) and 199 PES patients (23.9%). Multivariate analysis showed that SES and PES were superior to BMS with respect to MACE [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.81; HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55–0.82, respectively]. The occurrence of MACE was significantly lower in the SES and PES population, primarily due to less target‐vessel revascularization (TVR) procedures (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.37–0.75; HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.62–0.81, respectively). The occurrence of early, late, and very late stent thrombosis was equally rare with each stent type. There were no significant differences between SES and PES on death, myocardial infarction, TVR, and MACE. Conclusion : These findings suggest that SES and PES result in decreased TVR procedures and MACE compared to BMS at 4 years follow‐up. SES or PES implantation should be the preferred choice over BMS for patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Randomized controlled trial comparing submucosal endoscopy with mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection in the esophagus and stomach: Animal study

Background and Aim

In Western countries, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has not prevailed as a result of training problems and a target patient population. We have previously reported a hybrid ESD technique, submucosal endoscopy with mucosal resection (SEMR), in which the submucosal dissection is carried out chiefly by blunt balloon dissection. We have also reported successful application in the porcine colon. In the present study, we compared the safety and efficacy of SEMR with ESD in the porcine esophagus and stomach.

Methods

SEMR and ESD were carried out in eight domestic pigs under general anesthesia. Resection sites were marked by circumferential coagulation. After circumferential ESD knife mucosal incision, submucosal fluid cushion (SFC) was created. In the SEMR group, the balloon catheter was inserted deep into the SFC. The balloon was then inflated and pulled back toward the endoscope tip repeatedly, altering the direction, to disrupt the submucosa. Residual strands were cut with an IT‐knife. En bloc resection rates, procedure times, complications and dissection difficulty scales (DDS) were recorded prospectively. DDS were rated using a visual analog scale.

Results

Thirty‐two resections (8 SEMR/8 ESD in the esophagus; 8 SEMR/8 ESD in the stomach) were done with no major adverse events. There was no statistical difference between the two techniques in either location in the above categories measured.

Conclusions

SEMR and traditional ESD are comparable techniques in safety and effectiveness when carried out in the esophagus and stomach. SEMR may serve as a more appealing technical option for endoscopists who are unable to sustain a traditional ESD practice volume.     

Microvasculature of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: Lesson learned from submucosal endoscopy

Advanced therapeutic endoscopy,in particular endoscopic mucosal resection,endoscopic submucosal dissection,per-oral endoscopic myotomy,submucosal endoscopic tumor resection opened a new era where direct esophageal visualization is possible.Combining these information with advanced diagnostic endoscopy,the esophagus is organized,from the luminal side to outside,into five layers(epithelium,lamina propria with lamina muscularis mucosa,submucosa,muscle layer,adventitia).A specific vascular system belonging to each layer is thus visible: Mucosa with the intra papillary capillary loop in the epithelium and the sub-epithelial capillary network in the lamina propria and,at the lower esophageal sphincter(LES) level with the palisade vessels; submucosa with the drainage vessels and the spindle veins at LES level; muscle layer with the perforating vessels; periesophageal veins in adventitia.These structures are particularly important to define endoscopic landmark for the gastro-esophageal junction,helpful in performing submucosal therapeutic endoscopy.