Impact of Vaccination Status on Outcome of Patients With COVID-19 and Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Data on impact of COVID-19 vaccination and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy are scarce. Addressing this subject, we report our multicenter experience. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with COVID-19 and known vaccination status treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at 20 tertiary care centers between January 2020 and January 2023. Baseline demographics, angiographic outcome, and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge were noted. A multivariate analysis was conducted to test whether these variables were associated with an unfavorable outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score >3. A total of 137 patients with acute ischemic stroke (48 vaccinated and 89 unvaccinated) with acute or subsided COVID-19 infection who underwent mechanical thrombectomy attributable to vessel occlusion were included in the study. Angiographic outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients were similar (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2b: 85.4% in vaccinated patients versus 86.5% in unvaccinated patients; P=0.859). The rate of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale score, ≤2) was 23.3% in the vaccinated group and 20.9% in the unvaccinated group (P=0.763). The mortality rate was 30% in both groups. In the multivariable analysis, vaccination status was not a significant predictor for an unfavorable outcome (P=0.957). However, acute COVID-19 infection remained significant (odds ratio, 1.197 [95% CI, 1.007-1.417]; P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated no impact of COVID-19 vaccination on angiographic or clinical outcome of COVID-19-positive patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, whereas worsening attributable to COVID-19 was confirmed.

Mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in COVID-19 patients: multicenter experience in 111 cases.

BACKGROUND: Data on the frequency and outcome of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in patients with COVID-19 is limited. Addressing this subject, we report our multicenter experience. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of consecutive acute stroke patients with COVID-19 infection treated with MT at 26 tertiary care centers between January 2020 and November 2021. Baseline demographics, angiographic outcome and clinical outcome evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 90 days were noted. RESULTS: We identified 111 out of 11 365 (1%) patients with acute or subsided COVID-19 infection who underwent MT due to LVO. Cardioembolic events were the most common etiology for LVO (38.7%). Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score were 16 (IQR 11.5-20) and 9 (IQR 7-10), respectively. Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 97/111 (87.4%) patients and 46/111 (41.4%) patients were reperfused completely. The procedure-related complication rate was 12.6% (14/111). Functional independence was achieved in 20/108 (18.5%) patients at discharge and 14/66 (21.2%) at 90 days follow-up. The in-hospital mortality rate was 30.6% (33/108). In the subgroup analysis, patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection requiring intubation had a mortality rate twice as high as patients with mild or moderate acute COVID-19 infection. Acute respiratory failure requiring ventilation and time interval from symptom onset to groin puncture were independent predictors for an unfavorable outcome in a logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a poor clinical outcome and high mortality, especially in patients with severe acute COVID-19 infection undergoing MT due to LVO.

CIRSE Standards of Practice on Below-the-Knee Revascularisation.

The CIRSE Standards of Practice Committee established a writing group that was tasked with producing up-to-date recommendations for performing below-the-knee revascularisation, taking into account data on novel techniques, devices, and long-term outcomes that have emerged over the last decade. CIRSE Standards of Practice documents are not clinical practice guidelines or systematic reviews of the literature. This document is not intended to impose a standard of clinical patient care but recommends a reasonable approach to and best practices for performing below-the-knee revascularisation.

Modeling the Optimal Transportation for Acute Stroke Treatment : Impact of Diurnal Variations in Traffic Rate.

PURPOSE: Prolonged transfer times between the primary stroke center (PSC) and the comprehensive stroke center (CSC) are one of the major causes of treatment delay for endovascular stroke treatment. We aimed to analyze the effect of the diurnal variations in traffic rates at weekdays and weekends on the catchment area size of three transportation paradigms, i.e. mothership, drip-and-ship (DS) and drip-and-drive (DD). METHODS: A conditional probability model that predicts the probability of good outcome for patients with suspected large vessel occlusion was used to analyze the prehospital stroke triage in northwest Germany and produce catchment area maps. Transportation times were calculated during each hour of a weekday and a Sunday using Google Maps. For comparison, real DD transportation times from our CSC in Hamburg-Eppendorf (blinded for review) to a PSC in Lüneburg were prospectively recorded. RESULT: On weekdays, the mothership catchment area was the largest (≥40,000 km2, 63%) except for a decrease during morning rush hours, when the DD catchment area was highest (30,879 km2, 48%). The DS catchment area was higher than the DD catchment area during the afternoon rush hours both during the week as well as on Sundays. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a considerable impact of the diurnal variations in traffic rate and direction of travel on optimal stroke transportation. Stroke systems of care should take real time traffic information into account.

Effective hematopoietic stem cell-based gene therapy in a murine model of hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis due to GM-CSF receptor deficiency (herPAP) constitutes a life-threatening lung disease characterized by alveolar deposition of surfactant protein secondary to defective alveolar macrophage function. As current therapeutic options are primarily symptomatic, we have explored the potential of hematopoietic stem cell-based gene therapy. Using Csf2rb-/- mice, a model closely reflecting the human herPAP disease phenotype, we here demonstrate robust pulmonary engraftment of an alveolar macrophage population following intravenous transplantation of lentivirally corrected hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Engraftment was associated with marked improvement of critical herPAP disease parameters, including bronchoalveolar fluid protein, cholesterol and cytokine levels, pulmonary density on computed tomography scans, pulmonary deposition of Periodic Acid-Schiff+ material as well as respiratory mechanics. These effects were stable for at least nine months. With respect to engraftment and alveolar macrophage differentiation kinetics, we demonstrate the rapid development of CD11c+/SiglecF+ cells in the lungs from a CD11c-/SiglecF+ progenitor population within four weeks after transplantation. Based on these data, we suggest hematopoietic stem cell-based gene therapy as an effective and cause-directed treatment approach for herPAP.

Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: quality of life, tumour response, safety and survival comparing two types of drug-eluting beads.

PURPOSE: To compare two different types of drug-eluting microspheres with regard to impact on HRQoL after first TACE, tumour response, peri-procedural complications, adverse events and 1-year survival in patients suffering from unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: HRQoL was prospectively assessed with validated questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and -HCC18) before and 2 weeks after treatment with their first drug-eluting beads (DEB-)TACE with either acrylamido-polyvinylalcohol-AMPS hydrogel microspheres (groupDCB; 20 patients) or polyvinyl alcohol-co-acrylic acid microspheres (groupHS; 16 patients). Baseline characteristics, peri-procedural complications, treatment-related adverse events and 1-year survival were compared between both types of microspheres. Treatment response and objective response rates (ORR) were analysed using established tumour response criteria. Subgroup analysis for pooled groups with small (groupSMALL; 21 patients) versus large particles (groupLARGE; 15 patients) was performed. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the treated microsphere groups. No significant differences were found in absolute HRQoL changes after first DEB-TACE between the different types of microspheres. Response rates and survival were comparable between the investigated microsphere groups. For groupSMALL, we found a significant difference in post-interventional deterioration of physical function (- 19.4%) compared to groupLARGE (- 8%; p = 0.025). Tumour response and ORR according to mRECIST were significantly higher in groupSMALL (p = 0.008; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: DEB-TACE is generally well tolerated and effective, with comparable changes in HRQoL for both types of drug-eluting microspheres. Tumour response is better with small microspheres. A relevant deterioration of physical function underlines that an aggressive TACE using small beads should be well deliberated.

Correlation between SACE (Subjective Angiographic Chemoembolization Endpoint) score and tumor response and its impact on survival after DEB-TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To asses angiographic and computed tomographic success criteria during and after transcatheter arterial drug-eluting bead chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, 50 patients with unresectable HCC having undergone DEB-TACE from January 2010 to July 2015 were assessed. The angiographic endpoint was classified by Subjective Angiographic Chemoembolization Endpoint (SACE) scale. Relative tumor density in arterial (DArt) and portal venous phase (DPV) computed tomography post- versus pre-DEB-TACE were calculated, respectively. Tumor response according to modified Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) was assessed. Univariate Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were carried out. RESULTS: SACE scores I, II, III, and IV were found in 1 (2%), 20 (40%), 15 (30%), and 14 (28%) patients, respectively. Median OS and PFS were 14.2 and 5.5 months, respectively. Death rates at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years were 24%, 38%, and 52%, respectively. SACE score during DEB-TACE significantly correlated with local and overall mRECIST results (local: p < 0.001, r = 0.49, overall: p = 0.042, r = 0.29) and inversely correlated with DPV (p = 0.005, r = - 0.40). In univariate analysis, progressive disease (PD) according to mRECIST and increase of DArt and DPV were associated with significantly shorter PFS. Modified RECIST independently predicted OS (hazard ratio for complete remission vs. PD = 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.68, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A direct impact of SACE on PFS or OS could not be shown. However, SACE significantly correlated with local and overall mRECIST tumor response that again significantly predicted OS. We therefore postulate an indirect impact of SACE on OS. Consequently, complete embolization should be attempted.

Sarcoid-Like Lesions Mimicking Pulmonary Metastasis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The association of sarcoid-like lesions and malignancy is well described. Nonetheless, pulmonary lesions in malignant disease are typically presumed metastatic, and do not routinely receive histological validation. Here, we report on pulmonary sarcoid-like lesions identified in patients with a primary malignancy where pulmonary metastatic disease was suspected. METHODS: Patients who underwent thoracic surgical procedures for confirmation or treatment of suspected pulmonary metastasis were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: In 8/186 patients (4.3%), histology revealed sarcoid-like lesions. In these cases, there were no clinical symptoms suggestive of sarcoidosis. All underlying primary malignancies in the sarcoid-like patients were treated with curative intent. The median age of patients with sarcoid-like lesions was 46.3 years (range 26-61). The median interval between primary diagnosis of malignancy and diagnosis of pulmonary lesions was 188 days (range 0-794), with thoracic surgical intervention performed at a median of 250 days (range 183-675). FDG-avidity was demonstrated in the sarcoid-like lesions in 2 out of 3 patients who underwent PET-CT. CONCLUSION: Sarcoid-like lesions may be challenging to identify and can mimic pulmonary metastases. Therefore, considering sarcoidosis as a differential diagnosis whenever first pulmonary metastasis is suspected is warranted. Carefully considered, histological validation of initial suspected pulmonary metastasis may avoid subsequent over- or undertreatment.

Treatment with metformin is associated with a prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers. Nutrition- and life style-associated risk factors are increasingly prevalent. Metformin, the mainstay of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-treatment, reduces the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, its influence on the prognosis of patients with HCC has not been investigated on a large scale, yet. METHODS: Five thousand and ninety-three patients treated for HCC between 2000 and 2016 at three referral centres were included in this retrospective multicentre study. The aim of this study was to assess whether treatment with metformin for T2DM is associated with a prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with HCC. RESULTS: Among 5093 patients with HCC, 1917 patients (37.6%) were diagnosed with T2DM, of which 338 (17.6%) received treatment with metformin. Compared to diabetic patients not treated with metformin, patients on metformin had a significantly better hepatic function (Child-Pugh-Score A: 69.2% vs 47.4%, P < 0.001) and underwent significantly more often tumour resection (22.1% vs 16.5%, P = 0.024). Patients on metformin had a significantly longer median OS (mOS) compared to diabetic patients not treated with metformin (22 vs 15 months, P = 0.019). The prolongation of survival was most significant in patients treated with surgery. Using a propensity score match (PSM), patients were adjusted for hepatic function and initial therapy. In the matched cohorts, mOS remained significantly longer in metformin-treated patients (22 vs 16 months, P = 0.021). Co-treatment of metformin and sorafenib was associated with a survival disadvantage. CONCLUSION: Treatment with metformin was associated with an improved survival in patients with T2DM and HCC. This effect was most pronounced in patients at potentially curative tumour stages.

Shear wave elastography prior to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may predict the decrease in hepatic vein pressure gradient.

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure used to treat portal hypertension complications. Our aim was to evaluate liver and spleen stiffness measurement (LSM and SSM, respectively) changes using acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) in comparison to Child-Pugh scores for predicting hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) decreases after TIPS implantation. METHODS: This prospective study included 31 consecutive clinically significant portal hypertension patients with TIPS indication. All patients received LSM and SSM before TIPS, at baseline, 2 days (follow-up 1) and 6 weeks (follow-up 2) post-implantation. HVPG was performed during the TIPS procedure. RESULTS: The mean decrease in HVPG after TIPS was 63%. LSM and SSM decreased significantly between baseline and follow-up 2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). At baseline, follow-up 1 and follow-up 2, significant correlations were detected between mean SSM and mean HVPG (p = 0.026; p = 0.018; p = 0.002, respectively). HVPG decreased to ≤ 10 mmHg in 61% of patients for which LSM, SSM, and Child-Pugh score were predictors (p = 0.033, p = 0.002 and p = 0.030, respectively). The area under the curve (AUC) for LSM, SSM, and Child-Pugh was 0.88, 0.90, and 0.84, respectively, with close sensitivity and specificity. SSM had the highest diagnostic accuracy for predicting an HVPG decrease to ≤ 10 mmHg in comparison to LSM and Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSION: Spleen stiffness is superior to liver stiffness and Child-Pugh score as a non-invasive surveillance tool for evaluating patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) prior to TIPS.

Comparison of health-related quality of life after transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial radioembolization in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL) after two different transarterial therapies [transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE)] for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to assess tumor therapy in palliative situation additional to traditional aims like survival or image response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: QoL was evaluated with two validated questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-30 and EORTC HCC18) before and 14d after treatment in 94 initial therapies (TACE n = 67; TARE n = 27). QoL changes after treatment were analyzed. Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST/WHO/mRECIST/EASL criteria. A multivariate linear regression was undertaken to identify potential influence factors on change of QoL. RESULTS: Mean return rate of questionnaires was 71.3% allowing analysis of 67 therapies (TACE n = 46; TARE n = 21). Initial global health status/QoL was significantly higher in TACE (62.5%) compared to TARE with 50.8%. Absolute global health decrease was higher in TACE (- 10.5%) compared to TARE (- 4.8%, p = 0.396). Also relative global health decrease was higher in TACE (- 16.82%) compared to TARE (- 9.37%). Findings for other items were corresponding, as less impairment was found for TARE compared to TACE for physical/social functioning, fatigue and pain. Objective mRECIST response rate was 22.8% in TACE and 21.1% in TARE. CONCLUSION: Neither TACE nor TARE showed a major decrease in QoL after first treatment. TACE showed a slightly but not significantly higher decrease, so this study is not clearly in favor for one treatment. But with the addition that TARE showed less decrease even in patients with higher tumor burden and lower baseline.

iPSC-Derived Macrophages Effectively Treat Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Csf2rb-Deficient Mice.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hematopoietic cells represent a highly attractive source for cell and gene therapy. Given the longevity, plasticity, and self-renewal potential of distinct macrophage subpopulations, iPSC-derived macrophages (iPSC-Mφ) appear of particular interest in this context. We here evaluated the airway residence, plasticity, and therapeutic efficacy of iPSC-Mφ in a murine model of hereditary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (herPAP). We demonstrate that single pulmonary macrophage transplantation (PMT) of 2.5-4 × 106 iPSC-Mφ yields efficient airway residence with conversion of iPSC-Mφ to an alveolar macrophage (AMφ) phenotype characterized by a distinct surface marker and gene expression profile within 2 months. Moreover, PMT significantly improves alveolar protein deposition and other critical herPAP disease parameters. Thus, our data indicate iPSC-Mφ as a source of functional macrophages displaying substantial plasticity and therapeutic potential that upon pulmonary transplantation will integrate into the lung microenvironment, adopt an AMφ phenotype and gene expression pattern, and profoundly ameliorate pulmonary disease phenotypes.

Parametric response mapping cut-off values that predict survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after TACE.

PURPOSE: Parametric response mapping (PRM) is a novel image-analysis technique applicable to assess tumor viability and predict intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, to date, the prognostic value of PRM for prediction of overall survival in HCC patients undergoing TACE is unclear. The objective of this explorative, single-center study was to identify cut-off values for voxel-specific PRM parameters that predict the post TACE overall survival in HCC patients. METHODS: PRM was applied to biphasic CT data obtained at baseline and following 3 TACE treatments of 20 patients with HCC tumors ≥ 2 cm. The individual portal venous phases were registered to the arterial phases followed by segmentation of the largest lesion, i.e., the region of interest (ROI). Segmented voxels with their respective arterial and portal venous phase density values were displayed as a scatter plot. Voxel-specific PRM parameters were calculated and compared to patients' survival at 1, 2, and 3 years post treatment to identify the maximal predictive parameters. RESULTS: The hypervascularized tissue portion of the ROI was found to represent an independent predictor of the post TACE overall survival. For this parameter, cut-off values of 3650, 2057, and 2057 voxels, respectively, were determined to be optimal to predict overall survival at 1, 2, and 3 years after TACE. Using these cut points, patients were correctly classified as having died with a sensitivity of 80, 92, and 86% and as still being alive with a specificity of 60, 75, and 83%, respectively. The prognostic accuracy measured by area under the curve (AUC) values ranged from 0.73 to 0.87. CONCLUSION: PRM may have prognostic value to predict post TACE overall survival in HCC patients.

Transarterial chemoembolization versus sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and extrahepatic disease.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is the recommended treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is performed in individual cases with limited extrahepatic spread. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with HCC and extrahepatic disease (EHD) treated with sorafenib and TACE. METHODS: A total of 172 patients with HCC and EHD treated with sorafenib (n = 98) or TACE (n = 74) at three German referral centers (Hannover, Mainz and Hamburg) were included in this study. In order to reduce selection bias, patients were matched for significant demographic differences using a propensity score analysis. RESULTS: Patients with liver cirrhosis, higher extrahepatic tumor burden and/or infiltration of adjacent organs/structures were significantly more often treated with sorafenib. Median overall survival (OS) was similar for sorafenib- and TACE-treated patients (7 versus 8 months, p = 0.312). In a propensity score analysis matched for demographic differences, median OS remained similar with 4 versus 8 months for sorafenib versus TACE (p = 0.613). CONCLUSION: Treatment with TACE is not inferior to treatment with sorafenib in patients with limited EHD of HCC. TACE represents an effective therapeutic option in selected patients with EHD.

Correction to: Clinical and endovascular practice in interventional radiology: a contemporary European analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s42155-018-0010-8.].

Clinical and endovascular practice in interventional radiology: a contemporary European analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this survey was to determine the current trends in endovascular practice by Interventional Radiologists (IR's) across Europe and to understand the engagement by Interventional Radiology (IR) with clinical practice. CIRSE European members were invited to participate in an online survey between July 11th, 2016 and August 8th, 2016. A 54 question survey was created to capture a comprehensive overview of IR endovascular practice and clinical engagement. RESULTS: Four hundred and five valid responses were received (9.9%) from a broad geographic distribution from across Europe. 76% of IR's practised in centres with more than 400 beds as 60% worked in an academic or university teaching hospital. 36% dedicated 80-100% of their time to IR and 59% dedicated at least 60% of their time to IR. 24/7 IR on-call was available in the hospitals of 73% or respondents. 78% had dedicated IR nursing staff and 67% had nursing support on-call, 55% had inpatient admission privileges and 27% had dedicated IR inpatient beds. 65% of IR's had admitting rights to day-case beds. 42% ran IR outpatient clinics and 36% performed ward rounds. 81% of respondents performed peripheral arterial disease (PAD) intervention and IR was the main provider of PAD intervention in 67% of centres. Vascular Surgery or Medicine were the main referrers (71%) to IR for PAD intervention. 37% of centres had a hybrid operating theatre and 80% of IR's had access to this. CONCLUSION: IR remains a substantial player in the field of PAD Intervention. The continued evolution of outpatient clinics and clinical practice is key to retention and future expansion in the field of endovascular therapy for PAD.

Epidural interlaminar injections in severe degenerative lumbar spine: fluoroscopy should not be a luxury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess technical efficacy, accuracy, and safety of epidural (interlaminar) injections performed blindly in patients with a severely degenerated lumbar spine. METHODS: Over 12 consecutive months, 138 patients with a severe degenerative lumbar spine underwent epidural (interlaminar) injection as therapy for low back pain and neuralgia. Patients had already undergone a blind epidural infiltration with minimum or no pain reduction. The session was repeated in the angiography suite. Patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position. The injection was performed without image guidance by an anaesthesiologist; the target level was defined before the beginning of the procedure. Once air resistance loss was felt it was presumed that the needle was inside the epidural space. Verification of needle position was performed by injection of 1-3 mL of iodinated contrast medium under fluoroscopy in a lateral projection. RESULTS: Correct needle position inside the epidural space was documented in 82/138 cases (59.4%); unexpected extraepidural location was seen in 56/138 cases (40.6%). Target level was reached in 96/138 cases (69.6%); in 42/138 cases (30.4%) the needle was positioned in a non-target level. In 5/138 (3.6%) cases, there was inadvertent intradural position of the needle. Image guidance was subsequently used for correct positioning of the needle, which was feasible in all cases. CONCLUSION: Blind interlaminar epidural injections lack the accuracy of exact needle location that imaging guidance offers in approximately 40% of cases, when there is difficult spine anatomy and the initial epidural approach has failed to provide pain relief. Image guidance for interlaminar epidural injection ensures accurate needle placement, enhancing the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Quantification of perfusion reduction by using 2D-perfusion angiography following transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads.

PURPOSE: To analyze the feasibility of 2D-perfusion angiography (2D-PA) for the quantification of perfusion reduction following transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE). METHODS: Overall, 24 DEB-TACE procedures in 19 patients were included. To quantify changes in tumor perfusion following DEB-TACE using 2D-PA, the acquired digital subtraction angiography (DSA) series were post-processed. A reference region-of-interest (ROI) in a main hepatic artery and two, distal target ROIs in embolized tumor tissue and in non-target liver parenchyma were placed in corresponding areas on DSA pre- and post-DEB-TACE. The time to peak (TTP), peak density (PD), and the area under the curve (AUC) were assessed and the ratios reference ROI/target ROIs were calculated. RESULTS: In the embolized tumor, the 2D-PA ratios changed significantly (p < 0.05) after DEB-TACE, whereas no significant change was observed for non-target liver parenchyma (p > 0.05). PDtumor/PDinflow differed significantly to PDparenchyma/PDinflow pre-DEB-TACE (p < 0.0001), likewise AUCtumor/AUCinflow to AUCparenchyma/AUCinflow (p < 0.0001) with higher values in tumor tissue. The post-DEB-TACE ratios of AUC decreased significantly in the tumor tissue compared to the non-target liver parenchyma (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: 2D-PA offers an objective approach to quantify the immediate perfusion reduction of embolized tumor tissue following DEB-TACE and may therefore be used to monitor peri-interventional stasis and to quantify technical success.

Retrograde portal vein flow and transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma - a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most common treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In case of portal vein (PV) flow diversion, outcome may be compromised due to a decompensation of hepatic perfusion following arterial embolization. The aim of this study was to determine whether TACE in patients with retrograde PV flow results in a stronger deterioration of liver function and a poorer survival compared to patients with orthograde PV flow. METHODS: A database of 606 patients treated with TACE between 2000 and 2015 at Hannover Medical School was screened for Doppler ultrasound (US) findings on PV flow prior to TACE. A total of 407 patients were identified, among which 32 patients had retrograde PV flow. RESULTS: Patients with retrograde PV flow had significantly more often liver cirrhosis with advanced hepatic dysfunction (93.5% vs. 72.7%, p < .05). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 and 19 months in patients with retro- and orthograde PV flow, respectively (HR 1.27, p > .05). Patients with retrograde PV flow showed a trend for a shorter OS when matched for cirrhosis (12 vs. 21months, HR 1.51), Child-Pugh score/albumin-bilirubin grade (12 vs. 15 months). There was no difference in the deterioration of liver function after repeated treatments between both groups as assessed by increase of CP points and ALBI grade. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde PV flow alone was not a significant prognostic marker, but patients with retrograde PV flow and advanced liver cirrhosis treated with TACE had a very short survival. Assessment of PV flow prior TACE may be helpful in borderline cases considered for TACE.