Crush implantation of a self-expanding interwoven stent over a subintimally recanalized standard stent in a TASC D lesion of the superficial femoral artery.

We demonstrate feasibility of implantation of a self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent in a claudicant, where recanalization attempt of a heavily calcified, occluded superficial femoral artery (TASC D lesion) was complicated by a previously implanted, fractured standard stent. Wire passage through the occlusion and beyond the fractured stent could only be achieved through the subintimal space. A dedicated reentry device was used to allow distal wire entry into the true lumen at the level of the popliteal artery. Despite crushing of the fractured stent with a series of increasingly sized standard balloons, a significant recoil remainded in the area of the crushed stent. To secure patency of the femoro-popliteal artery we therefore decided to implant the novel self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent (Supera Veritas (TM), IDEV), whose unique feature is an exceptional high radial strength. Patient presented asymptomatic without any impairment of his walking capacity at three month follow up and duplex ultrasound confirmed patency of the stent. Subintimal recanalizations can be complicated by previously implanted stents, in particular in the presence of stent fracture, where intraluminal wire passage often can not be achieved. Considering the high radial strength and fracture resistance, interwoven nitinol stents represent a good treatment option in those challenging cases and they can be used to crush standard nitinol and ballonexpandable stents.

[The value of telemedicine in 2011 : standard care in heart failure therapy?]. / Stellenwert der Telemedizin in 2011 : Standard der Herzinsuffizienztherapie?

Heart failure represents a significant clinical and health economic problem. The implementation of new therapeutic strategies favorably affecting the course of the disease remains insufficient in day to day practice. Thus, the use telemedicine offers a central service and information instrument, such that optimized therapy can be achieved by consistent patient surveillance. Predefined vital parameters are automatically transmitted to the telemedicine center; if individually predefined limits are exceeded, therapeutic means are immediately initiated. The service is available to patients 24 h/day throughout the year in case cardio-pulmonary symptoms are experienced. This patient-oriented use of technology should not replace the physician-patient relationship, but improves and supports the participation and self-management of patients.