Further Recognition of Interventional Medicine.

Subtle changes have occurred in China, and interventional radiology has gradually become an independent specialty, separated from diagnostic radiology. This has been called "Interventionalogy", "interventional medicine (IM)", or simply Intervention by our team, and "Interventional Radiology" is used no more. It has even been given the name "Third clinical Medicine" by us. Chinese intervention has established an independent association for interventional doctors, as well as independent interventional societies in many provinces. The national interventional society will likely be set up at some point in time. Chinese interve ntion has set up their own clinical wards, with much attention paid to a clinical, professional, and normalized direction for development, and established special nursing units. According to us, turf battle is meaningless. "The Third clinical Medicine" belongs to all human beings. It could also be predicted that interventional history will follow the same evolutionary rule as other disciplines, i.e., "long divided, must unite; long united, must divide".

Redefining Budd-Chiari syndrome: A systematic review.

AIM: To re-examine whether hepatic vein thrombosis (HVT) (classical Budd-Chiari syndrome) and hepatic vena cava-Budd Chiari syndrome (HVC-BCS) are the same disorder. METHODS: A systematic review of observational studies conducted in adult subjects with primary BCS, hepatic vein outflow tract obstruction, membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC), obliterative hepatocavopathy, or HVT during the period of January 2000 until February 2015 was conducted using the following databases: Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus. RESULTS: Of 1299 articles identified, 26 were included in this study. Classical BCS is more common in women with a pure hepatic vein obstruction (49%-74%). HVC-BCS is more common in men with the obstruction often located in both the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins (14%-84%). Classical BCS presents with acute abdominal pain, ascites, and hepatomegaly. HVC-BCS presents with chronic abdominal pain and abdominal wall varices. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are the most common etiology of classical BCS (16%-62%) with the JAK2V617-F mutation found in 26%-52%. In HVC-BCS, MPN are found in 4%-5%, and the JAK2V617-F mutation in 2%-5%. Classical BCS responds well to medical management alone and 1(st) line management of HVC-BCS involves percutaneous recanalization, with few managed with medical management alone. CONCLUSION: Systematic review of recent data suggests that classical BCS and HVC-BCS may be two clinically different disorders that involve the disruption of hepatic venous outflow.

Arterioportal shunts in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated using ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge: therapeutic effects and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge (ESG) for the treatment of arterioportal shunts (APSs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients with unresectable HCC was included in this study, conducted from June 2008 to November 2011. These patients, who were treated with APSs, had received transarterial therapy. They underwent transarterial embolization of the shunt with ESG followed by transarterial chemoembolization if available. Changes in APSs, tumor response (per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), postembolization events, patient survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 3-34 mo). The immediate APS improvement rate was 97% (59 of 61), and the APS improvement rate at first-time follow-up was 54% (33 of 61). Tumor response at 2 months after first embolization was as follows: complete response in two patients (3.3%), partial response in 24 patients (39.3%), stable disease in 24 patients (39.3%), and progressive disease in 11 patients (18.1%). Survival rates were 79% at 6 months, 50% at 1 year, and 12% at 2 years; the median survival time was 382 days. Maximal tumor size and APS improvement at first-time follow-up were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial embolization with ESG may be safe and effective for the treatment of APSs in patients with unresectable HCC. Small maximal tumor size (< 5 cm) and an improvement in APSs favored overall survival.

Transarterial embolization for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage following abdominal surgery.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical results of angiography and embolization for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage after abdominal surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included 26 patients with postoperative hemorrhage after abdominal surgery. All patients underwent emergency transarterial angiography, and 21 patients underwent emergency embolization. We retrospectively analyzed the angiographic features and the clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization. RESULTS: Angiography showed that a discrete bleeding focus was detected in 21 (81%) of 26 patients. Positive angiographic findings included extravasations of contrast medium (n = 9), pseudoaneurysms (n = 9), and fusiform aneurysms (n = 3). Transarterial embolization was technically successful in 21 (95%) of 22 patients. Clinical success was achieved in 18 (82%) of 22 patients. No postembolization complications were observed. Three patients died of rebleeding. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of angiographic findings in 26 patients with postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage was 81%. Transcatheter arterial embolization seems to be an effective and safe method in the management of postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Transarterial embolization with cyanoacrylate for severe arterioportal shunt complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate glue embolization in the treatment of severe arterioportal shunt (APS) presenting with hepatofugal portal venous flow in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2000 and January 2010, 27 HCC patients with severe APS presenting with hepatofugal portal venous flow underwent transarterial angiography and treatment. Among them, four patients were excluded from the study. Twelve patients underwent transarterial chemoperfusion and embolization of APS with cyanoacrylate glue between January 2006 and January 2010 (Emb group), and the other 11 patients undergoing only transarterial chemoperfusion without embolization of APS between July 2000 and December 2005 served as a control group (non-Emb group). The change of APS, survival rates, and procedure related complications were analyzed. RESULTS: In the Emb group, APS was improved in all of the 12 patients after initial glue embolization; long-term APS improvement with hepatopetal portal flow was achieved in 80 % (8 of 10) patients who underwent follow-up angiography. Survival rates in the Emb group were 67 % at 6 months, 33 % at 1 year, and 8 % at 2 years, whereas those in the non-Emb group were 0 % at 6 months (P < 0.05). Median survival time in the Emb group was 275 days, which was longer than that of 107 days in the non-Emb group (P = 0.001). There were no major complications in both groups. CONCLUSION: The preliminary experience suggests that glue embolization may be an effective and safe therapy in the management of severe APS accompanied by HCC and also improve patient survival.

Usefulness of stent implantation for treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of intracranial stent implantation for treating patients with atherosclerotic stenosis and with recurrent, ischemic, neurological symptoms despite having undergone medical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2004 and April 2010, we attempted intracranial, stent-assisted angioplasty in 77 patients with 85 lesions (anterior circulation 73 cases, posterior circulation 12 cases) and who had ischemic neurological symptoms with more than 50% major cerebral artery stenosis. We analyzed the results regarding the technical success rate, complication rate, and restenosis rate during the mean 29.4 month follow-up period. RESULTS: Intracranial stent implantation was successfully performed in 74 cases (87.1%). In nine cases among the 11, failed cases, stent implantation failure was due to the tortuosity of the target vessel. One patient experienced middle cerebral artery rupture during the procedure, and we embolized the vessel using a microcoil. Five patients developed cerebral infarction in three weeks after the procedure, three of whom improved using conservative management, although the other, two patients expired. The mean number of residual stenoses decreased from 72.3% to 14.7%. Three patients demonstrated significant in-stent restenosis, i.e. more than 50%, during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: As stent-assisted angioplasty in intracranial, atherosclerotic stenosis is effective and relatively safe, it can be considered as an alternative treatment for patients with recurrent, ischemic, neurologic symptoms despite having undergone medical therapy.

Massive pulmonary embolism: treatment with the rotarex thrombectomy system.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) for acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE). Fourteen patients (8 men, 6 women) with a mean age of 55.4 (range, 38-71) years with acute massive PE were initially diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) and confirmed by pulmonary angiography. All patients presented with acute PE symptoms and hemodynamic compromise. Each patient was treated with Straub Rotarex thrombectomy device and five patients received additional thrombolysis. Technique success and clinical improvement were achieved in all patients without major complications. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) decreased from 37.6 ± 6.6 to 29 ± 6.4 mmHg (P < 0.01) after PMT. Partial arterial pressures of O(2) (PaO(2)) increased from 61.1 ± 9.2 to 88 ± 5.1 mmHg (P < 0.01). The Miller index was 0.67 ± 0.11 and 0.37 ± 0.13 (P < 0.01), respectively, before and after PMT (P < 0.01). Eleven patients had no recurrence of PE on a mean follow-up of 28.3 months, whereas the other three patients were lost to follow-up. The preliminary experience in our series suggests that the Straub Rotarex thrombectomy device, which has been utilized in peripheral arteries, also is useful for the treatment of acute massive PE.

Value of percutanous catheter fragmentation in the management of massive pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a clinical emergency requiring rapid and supportive measures. Percutanous mechanical thrombectomy is considered as a treatment option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of peructaneous mechanical catheter fragmentation in the management of acute massive PE. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2007, 28 patients (20 men, 8 women; mean age 64 years) with acute massive PE initially diagnosed by computed tomography and confirmed by pulmonary angiography were treated with inferior vena caval filter placement and percutaneous catheter fragmentation. Twenty-six patients received thrombolytic agents after embolus fragmentation. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients. The improvement of clinical status and restoration of blood flow in the main branches of the pulmonary artery were seen in 27 patients. Only one case did not benefit from the percutaneous therapy and died from the failure of the surgery. Oxygen saturation increased from (86.2 +/- 4.5)% to (96.1 +/- 3.2)% (P < 0.001) after the interventional procedure. The post-procedure mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from (34.2 +/- 4.8) mmHg to (25.2 +/- 5.1) mmHg (P < 0.001). During clinical follow-up (range, 1 - 5 years), no patients had recurrence of PE. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous catheter fragmentation combined with thrombolysis is an effective and safe therapy in the clinical management of acute massive PE.

Interventional radiology in China.

With more than 3000 members, the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology (CSIR) is one of the world's largest societies for interventional radiology (IR). Nevertheless, compared to other societies such as CIRSE and SIR, the CSIR is a relatively young society. In this article, the status of IR in China is described, which includes IR history, structure and patient management, personnel, fellowship, training, modalities, procedures, research, turf battle, and insightful visions for IR from Chinese interventional radiologists.

Preoperative transarterial embolization of hypervascular vertebral tumor with permanent particles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and value of preoperative transarterial embolization of hypervascular vertebral tumors. METHODS: Sixteen patients with hypervascular vertebral tumors underwent transarterial embolization before surgery. The lesions were located between the middle cervical and lower lumbar spine. Forty-one arteries were embolized with permanent particles injected through a microcatheter, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (150 - 500 micro m) in 25 arteries and Dextran particles (150 - 350 micro m) in 16. Of these, 31 had pieces of gelatin sponge added for proximal pedicled embolization. The criteria for judging the effectiveness of embolization were completeness of tumor removal and estimated blood loss during surgery. RESULTS: The particles were injected into the tumor feeders through superselection in 17 arteries or flow control in 24. Tumor embolization was defined as "total" in five patients, "nearly total" in eight, "subtotal" in two, and "partial" in another. There were no symptomatic complications associated with embolization. Tumors were entirely removed in all patients. The average estimated blood loss during surgery was 1510 ml (range of 200 - 6000 ml) for all 16 patients. CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolization of hypervascular vertebral tumors is safe and effective. It can make complete resection of a tumor possible and can make a previously unresectable tumor resectable. Superselection or flow control is necessary to achieve effective devascularization and to avoid complications.