Absence of proximal neck dilatation and graft migration after endovascular aneurysm repair with balloon-expandable stent-based endografts

OBJECTIVE: Proximal neck dilatation (PND) and/or endograft migration with the subsequent development of type I endoleak is a significant cause of late endograft failure after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Although there are numerous reports examining PND in patients receiving endografts that use self-expanding stents (SES) for proximal fixation, there are no such reports for patients treated with endografts that use balloon-expanding stents (BES). The purpose of this study was to investigate PND and endograft migration after EVAR with BES endografts. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all charts and all serial computed tomographic scans available for patients who underwent EVAR with a BES endograft (surgeon-made, aortounifemoral polytetrafluoroethylene graft with a proximal Palmaz stent) between August 1997 and October 2002. Only patients with longer than a 12-month follow-up were analyzed. Neck diameter was measured at the level of the lowest renal artery and at 5 mm below it. PND was defined as neck enlargement of 2.5 mm or more. To assess endograft migration, the distance between the superior mesenteric artery and the cranial end of the BES was measured. Stent migration was defined as a change of 5 mm or more. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients received this device during the study period. The technical success rate was 99%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 66%, 48%, and 29.5%, respectively. Complete serial computed tomographic scans were available in 41 of the 48 patients who survived 12 months or longer after the operation. The mean follow-up period for these patients was 31 months (range, 12-66 months). The maximum aneurysm diameter was either unchanged or decreased in 35 patients (85%). The immediate postoperative proximal neck diameter was 19 to 29 mm (median, 24 mm). This was unchanged at the latest follow-up. None of the patients had significant PND. The cranial end of the BES was located in the area between 14 mm proximal and 36 mm distal to the superior mesenteric artery (median, 6 mm). None of the patients developed significant endograft migration. CONCLUSIONS: Neither PND nor endograft migration was observed with the BES endograft. The nature of the SES may be responsible for the observed neck dilatation and device migration after EVAR with SES endografts. This study suggests that BES may be a better fixation method for EVAR.     

1992: Parodi, Montefiore, and the First Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft in the United States

In 1990 Juan C. Parodi performed the first endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in Buenos Aires. Two years later, in 1992, Parodi and Claudio Schonholz visited Montefiore Medical Center in New York to perform with us the first endovascular AAA repair to be done in the United States. Since then the Montefiore/Einstein vascular group has performed 1522 endovascular grafts in 674 patients for many types of vascular lesions using a variety of both surgeon-made and industry-made devices. The purpose of the present article is to describe the events that surrounded the performance of the first seminal endovascular AAA repair at our institution on November 23, 1992.     

Clinical actions of subarachnoid sevoflurane administration in vivo: a study in dogs

Background. Halogenated ethers produce clinical effects at spinalsites. Nevertheless, in vitro and in vivo studies have not determinedwhether the immobilizing effect in the spinal cord is due toinhibition of nociceptive or motor transmission or both. Ourgoal was to characterize the clinical effects of direct spinalsevoflurane administration. Methods. Five adult beagle dogs completed the study. In a randomizedand blinded manner each animal received placebo (saline 0.1ml kg^–1) and three concentrations of pure sevofluraneadministered intrathecally (0.05, 0.075 and 0.1 ml kg^–1)by means of a permanent spinal catheter. Sensory and motor blockand state of consciousness were determined at baseline and atpredetermined regular intervals until at least 2 h after totalrecovery. Results. None of the dogs presented a decrease in consciousnesswith either 0.05 or 0.075 ml kg^–1 of sevoflurane. Administrationof 0.1 ml kg^–1 produced light sedation (2 on a four-pointsedation scale) in three of the five dogs. A comparison of theduration of the sensory and motor blocks among the three sevofluranedosages shows a significant dose-dependent increase that isgreater in all cases than that for the saline solution. Conclusions. Spinal administration of pure sevoflurane resultedin a dose-related and totally reversible motor and sensory regionalblock without any signs of clinical neurotoxicity or significantdecrease in consciousness. Therefore the model allows us tocomment on the analgesic effects at the spinal level in additionto the direct immobilizing effects of sevoflurane.     

Bullous pemphigoid with nail loss

The nail can be affected in autoimmune bullous diseases. Because of the different antigens involved, nails are often affected in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), but not in bullous pemphigoid (BP). We describe an unusual case of BP with permanent loss of toenails.     

Medical treatment of retinal vein occlusions

The medical treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is comprised of three main stages: identification and therapy of the detectable risk factors, specific treatment aimed at the occlusive form and treatment of RVO complications. Even though the possible medical management of RVO includes several treatments, the most interesting approaches have been: anticoagulant/antiaggregating agents, troxerutin, corticosteroid, fibrinolytic/thrombolytic agents, and hemodilution. Overall, the medical approach to RVO is still awkward and unsatisfactory. Randomized clinical trials are needed to assess the degree of efficacy of the medical treatment of the specific forms of RVO.     

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for anterior segment neovascularizations in neovascular glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for iris and angle neovascularization in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: A prospective, noncomparative case series included four patients (four eyes) with neovascular glaucoma. PDT was performed following the parameters of treatment of age-related macular degeneration with photodynamic therapy Study Group (TAP). The laser was directed at the anterior chamber angle and iris surface using a Goldmann three-mirror contact lens. Iris and angle neovascularization were quantified using the number of clock hours involved. Outcome measures were obliteration of neovascularization and decrease of intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: One week after PDT, we registered complete obliteration of angle neovascularization and partial occlusion of iris neovascularization. Subsequent reopening of angle neovascularization was detectable at 1 month. Intraocular pressure diminished considerably after 1 week, with a subsequent tendency toward stabilization. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy can be used safely and effectively in the early phases of neovascular glaucoma to achieve angle neovascularization obliteration and IOP reduction.     

Transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with choroidal nevus

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with choroidal nevus, which was successfully treated using transpupillary thermotherapy. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 53-year-old woman underwent ophthalmologic evaluation, including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. Clinical and angiographic data were prospectively analyzed to evaluate visual acuity changes and angiographic evolution. RESULTS: Three months after transpupillary thermotherapy, visual acuity had improved from 20/100 to 20/40. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiograms showed absence of leakage from CNV. Final visual acuity was 20/32 after a 15-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transpupillary thermotherapy may be a viable option for subfoveal CNV associated with CN, although further studies are needed to establish the correct setting.