Effect of education on sun-safe behaviour in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients (OTR) are more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population. One of the main components of the exposome that triggers the development of skin tumours is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To reduce the incidence of harmful consequences of sun exposure, sun protection education is needed for patients taking long-term immunosuppressive drugs. METHODS: In a previous study, we assessed the sun-safe behaviour of 221 OTR using a questionnaire before and after transplantation and personally educated the patients about proper sun protection. After the education, there were no further reminder presentations. Presently, the sun protection and sun seeking habits of the available 176 of these patients were questioned to assess the long-term effect of the previous sun protection education. RESULTS: Two-four years after the education, more patients wore hats and protected their skin with long-sleeved clothing than before the education. In terms of sun seeking habits, both occupational and recreational sun exposure decreased significantly. Significantly fewer people went on holiday after transplantation, but those who went on holiday spent significantly less time in the sun. CONCLUSION: The long-term positive effects of education can be seen both in the patients' sun protection and in their sun seeking habits. However, the long-term goal is to maintain these results and thereby reduce the likelihood of skin tumours and consequently the associated tumour death.

TRIACCESS Study: Randomized Comparison Between Radial, Femoral, and Pedal Access for Percutaneous Femoro-popliteal Artery Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this randomized study was to compare the success and complication rates of different access sites for the treatment of superficial artery stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 180 consecutive patients were randomized in a prospective study to treat symptomatic superficial femoral artery stenosis via radial (RA), femoral (FA), or pedal artery (PA) access. Technical success was achieved in 96.7%, 100%, and 100% of the patients in the RA, FA, and PA groups, respectively (p=0.33). Secondary access sites were used in 30%, 3.3%, and 30% of the patients in the RA, FA, and PA access groups, respectively (p=0.0002). Recanalization for chronic total occlusion was performed in 34/36 (94.4%), 30/30 (100%), and 46/46 (100%) patients in the RA, FA, and PA groups, respectively (p=0.17). The X-ray dose was significantly lower in the PA group than that in the RA and FA access groups (63.1 vs 162 vs 153 Dyn, p=0.0004). The cumulative rates of access site complications in the RA, FA, and PA groups were 3.3% (0% major and 3.3% minor), 16.7% (3.3% major and 13.3% minor), and 3.3% (3.3% major and 0% minor) (p=0.0085), respectively. The cumulative incidence of MACEs at 6 months in the RA, FA, and PA groups was 5%, 6.7%, and 1.7%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of MALEs at 6 months in the RA, FA, and PA groups was 20%, 16.7%, and 9.2%, respectively (p=0.54). CONCLUSION: Femoral artery intervention can be safely and effectively performed using radial, femoral, and pedal access, but radial and pedal access is associated with a lower access site complication rate and hospitalization. Pedal access is associated with a lower X-ray dose than that with radial and femoral access.

High Level of Unwarranted Clinical Variation in the Use of Lower Extremity Revascularisation Procedures in Hungary (2013-2017).

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of variations in the use of lower extremity open vascular surgical procedures (LEOPEN) and lower extremity endovascular procedures (LEENDO) across small geographic areas in Hungary from 2013 to 2017. Introduction of a new metric giving a rough estimate of unwarranted clinical variation in revascularisation practice. METHODS: Spatial variation (at local administrative unit level) of referral for LEOPEN and LEENDO was evaluated through a retrospective analysis using healthcare administrative data of all beneficiaries in Hungary. The same assessment was performed for percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction (PCIAMI). The latter was considered a reasonable comparator (similar at risk population, well organised, guideline driven patient pathways, small room for referral discretion). Consequently, the ratio of spatial variations of LEOPEN and LEENDO to PCIAMI (as a reference) are thought to reflect unwarranted clinical variation. RESULTS: A total of 109 882 procedures were identified in the database (LEOPEN, LEENDO, PCIAMI) affecting 85 083 patients. While estimates of spatial variations for LEOPEN and LEENDO turned out to be high (systematic component of variation [SCV] 0.09 and 0.21, respectively), PCIAMI showed a low SCV value of 0.02. Consequently, the ratios of SCVs were SCV/SCVref = 4.67 (LEOPEN) and SCV/SCVref = 10.3 (LEENDO), indicating high levels of unwarranted clinical variation. CONCLUSION: The analysis showed that patients living in different locations of Hungary face very different odds of having lower extremity revascularisation procedures (open or endovascular). This spatial variation is thought to be related mainly to the failure in vascular service organisation. The newly introduced numerical estimate of unwarranted clinical variation may support within, and also between, system comparisons.

Stent-Graft Treatment of a Giant Asymptomatic Extracranial Vertebral Artery Aneurysm: Case Report and Literature Review.

With the widespread appliance of endovascular techniques, a plethora of options is available in the treatment of extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms. If the vertebral artery can be sacrificed, embolization with coiling, liquid injection, or parent artery exclusion can be done. We hereby present a case of a 74-year-old male patient presenting with an asymptomatic atherosclerotic giant extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm in the V1 segment of the vertebral artery, successfully treated with balloon expandable stent-graft deployment. No neurologic symptoms occurred, and the stent-graft was patent with no signs of endoleak at 24 months follow-up with computed tomography angiography.

Changes in serum pigment epithelium-derived factor levels after kidney transplantation in patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a serin protease inhibitor and a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. Its serum level has significant associations with metabolic parameters. However, little is known about the association between PEDF levels and lipid parameters in renal transplanted (TX) patients. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the relationship between PEDF level and lipid parameters in TX patients. METHODS: Seventy TX patients (47 males, 23 females, mean age 51.7 ± 12.4 years) and 34 healthy controls were enrolled. We examined the serum creatinine, C-reactive protein, fasting glucose and lipid parameters right before, then 1 and 6 months after TX. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Lipoprotein subfractions were determined by Lipoprint. PEDF and oxidized low-density liporotein (oxLDL) levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Before transplantation, patients had had a significantly higher PEDF level compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). One month after transplantation, their PEDF level decreased significantly reaching the healthy controls' level, and this lower level was maintained during the 6 months follow-up period as well. The initial oxLDL level was significantly higher, while PON1 activities were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group. We found a significant positive correlation between PEDF and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, oxLDL and small HDL subfraction; while negative correlations were found between PEDF and mean LDL size and large HDL subfraction during the entire follow-up period. CONCLUSION: PEDF may play an important role in the increased oxidative stress and enhanced atherogenesis in renal transplant patients.

Early and long-term results of the endovascular treatment of patients with isolated infrarenal aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report our results of patients' characteristics, procedural complications, and long-term patency in treatment of isolated infrarenal aortic stenosis (IIAS). METHODS: Forty symptomatic patients (28 female, 12 male; median age, 60 years [54.8-68 years]) with IIAS who underwent endovascular intervention between 2001 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient, lesion, procedure, and balloon/stent characteristics were assessed. Follow-up included clinical status evaluation and color Doppler ultrasound examination. RESULTS: The cause of IIAS was atherosclerosis in all patients. Twenty percent of the patients were younger than 50 years; 85% had hypertension, 80% were smokers, 38% had hyperlipidemia, 23% had diabetes mellitus, 15% were obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), and 8% had chronic kidney disease. The median stenosis grade was 80% (70%-80%), and the median lesion length was 19.9 mm (13-29.4 mm). Severe calcification was present in 8% of the patients. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in four cases (10%), whereas stenting was performed in 36 (90%). One complication, an aortic rupture requiring surgical repair, occurred. The median follow-up was 61 months (17-101 months). The primary patency rate was 100% at 6 months, 97% at 12 and 24 months, and 88% at 60 and 96 months. Restenosis developed in three patients (8%); reintervention was carried out in two cases (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy for IIAS provides a safe and effective long-term treatment strategy.

Finding the optimal access for proximal upper limb artery (PULA) interventions: Lessons learned from the PULA multicenter registry.

OBJECTIVE: The multicenter proximal upper limb artery (PULA) Registry was created to study the optimal puncture sites for the interventions involving the subclavian, axillary, and innominate arteries. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the optimal vascular access for PULA interventions, despite the well-known technical complexity of these procedures. METHODS: We performed the retrospective analysis of consecutive patients treated for symptomatic steno-occlusive disease of the proximal upper limb arteries between January 2015 and December 2019 in three high-volume centers. Acute thrombotic occlusions were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were treated for significant stenosis and 108 for total occlusion. The baseline patient's characteristics were similar, except for the higher median age of the stenotic patients: 68.5 years (31.1; 90.0) versus 64 years (38.0; 86.0) p = 0.0015. Successful revascularization rate was higher in the stenotic group 93.75% (255/272) versus 86.11% (93/108) p = 0.0230, while the procedure length 27 min (8; 133) versus 46 min (7; 140) p = 0.0001 and fluoroscopy times 439 s (92; 2993) versus 864 s (86; 4176) p = 0.0001 were higher in the occlusion group. The main adverse event rate was similarly low. Dual access was used more often to treat occlusions (60.19% (65/108) vs. 11.40% (31/272) p = 0.0001) without significantly increasing the complication rate. The safest access was ultrasound-guided distal radial artery puncture, significantly better than conventional radial access with 0% (0/31) versus 13.6% (18/131) p = 0.0253 complication. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous revascularization of proximal upper limb arteries is a safe and effective. Dual access can be applied to increase treatment efficacy, without significantly compromising safety.

Distal Radial Artery Access for Superficial Femoral Artery Interventions.

PURPOSE: To compare the acute success and complication rates of distal radial (DR) vs proximal radial (PR) artery access for superficial femoral artery (SFA) interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, 195 consecutive patients with symptomatic SFA stenosis were treated via DR (n=38) or PR (n=157) access using a sheathless guide. Secondary access was achieved through the pedal artery when necessary. The main outcomes were technical success, major adverse events (MAEs), and access site complications. Secondary outcomes were treatment success, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, procedure time, and crossover rate to another puncture site. RESULTS: Overall technical success was achieved in 188 patients (96.4%): 37 of 38 patients (97.3%) in the DR group and 151 of 157 patients (96.2%) in the PR group (p=0.9). Dual (transradial and transpedal) access was used in 14 patients (36.8%) in the DR group and 28 patients (18.9%) in the PR group (p<0.01). Chronic total occlusions were recanalized in 25 of 26 DR patients (96.1%) and in 79 of 81 PR patients (92.6%) (p=0.57). The crossover rate to femoral access was 0% in the DR group vs 3.2% in the PR group (p=0.59). Stents were implanted in the SFA in 15 DR patients (39.4%) and in 39 patients (24.8%) in the PR group (p=0.1). The contrast volume, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and procedure time were not statistically different between the DR and PR groups, nor were the rates of access site complications (2.6% and 7.0%, respectively). The cumulative incidences of MAE at 6 months in the DR and PR groups were 15.7% vs 14.6%, respectively (p=0.8). CONCLUSION: SFA interventions can be safely and effectively performed using PR or DR access with acceptable morbidity and a high technical success rate. DR access is associated with few access site complications.

Human Somatostatin SST4 Receptor Transgenic Mice: Construction and Brain Expression Pattern Characterization.

Somatostatin receptor subtype 4 (SST4) has been shown to mediate analgesic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory functions without endocrine actions; therefore, it is proposed to be a novel target for drug development. To overcome the species differences of SST4 receptor expression and function between humans and mice, we generated an SST4 humanized mouse line to serve as a translational animal model for preclinical research. A transposon vector containing the hSSTR4 and reporter gene construct driven by the hSSTR4 regulatory elements were created. The vector was randomly inserted in Sstr4-deficient mice. hSSTR4 expression was detected by bioluminescent in vivo imaging of the luciferase reporter predominantly in the brain. RT-qPCR confirmed the expression of the human gene in the brain and various peripheral tissues consistent with the in vivo imaging. RNAscope in situ hybridization revealed the presence of hSSTR4 transcripts in glutamatergic excitatory neurons in the CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus; in the GABAergic interneurons in the granular layer of the olfactory bulb and in both types of neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex, piriform cortex, prelimbic cortex and amygdala. This novel SST4 humanized mouse line might enable us to investigate the differences of human and mouse SST4 receptor expression and function and assess the effects of SST4 receptor agonist drug candidates.

Direct transpedal pressure measurement during transpedal below-the-knee interventions in critical limb ischemia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the distal pressure measurement during transpedal below-the-knee interventions in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and to assess the hemodynamic response after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. METHODS: The clinical and angiographic data of 137 consecutive patients treated via transpedal access in CLTI (Rutherford 4-6) were evaluated. Distal pedal pressure (PP) at the end of the pedal sheath was measured and the pedal-to-aortic pressure index (PAPI) was also calculated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Good angiographic results was achieved in 131 patients (95.6%) in the femoro-popliteal and at least in one below-the-knee artery. Significant differences were found in PP and PAPI between before- and after-intervention values (103.2 ± 41.6 mmHg vs. 138.2 ± 37.8 mmHg and 0.74 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.34), respectively. Post-procedural PP and PAPI were significantly higher in patients who underwent good and borderline/unsuccessful intervention 141.7 [135.8-147.6] versus 82.6 [33.8-131.5] mmHg and 1.05 [1-1.1] versus 0.53 [0.2-0.8], respectively. PP's are significantly different in various Rutherford classification groups. Among the studied parameters, postprocedural PAPI was found to have the best discriminatory power to predict 3-month amputation (c-statistic: 0.749, 95% CI: 0.546-0.952, p = .016, sensitivity: 57.1%, specificity: 92.3% using the cut-off criterion ≤0.58). Major adverse event was detected in 17 patients at 3 months follow up (12.4%), including 7 major amputations (5.1%). CONCLUSION: Transpedal pressure and pedal-to-aortic pressure index significantly increased during transpedal below-the-knee angioplasty and final pressure and index correlates significantly with limb salvage.

Kinetic Imaging in Lower Extremity Arteriography: Comparison to Digital Subtraction Angiography.

Purpose To compare the image quality produced by kinetic imaging in x-ray angiography and the current reference standard digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Materials and Methods This prospective observational crossover study enrolled 42 patients undergoing lower limb x-ray angiography between February and June 2017 (mean age, 68.7 years; age range, 49-89 years; 32 men [mean age, 67.1 years; age range, 49-89 years] and 10 women [mean age, 75 years; age range, 57-85 years]). Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of DSA and kinetic image pairs were compared. Visual quality comparisons were also performed by specialists who used an online questionnaire. Interrater agreement was characterized by percent agreement and Fleiss k. Results A total of 1902 regions of interest were carefully selected in 110 image pairs to calculate and compare the SNRs. Median SNR in raw kinetic images was 3.3-fold and 2.3-fold higher than raw and postprocessed DSA images, respectively. A total of 232 pairs of raw and postprocessed kinetic images were compared. It was indicated that postprocessing improved the quality of kinetic images in 63.9% (2668 of 4176) of the comparisons. Interrater agreement was 75% and Fleiss k was 0.12 (P < .001). Also, 238 pairs of kinetic and DSA images were compared. Kinetic imaging was judged to have provided higher quality images than DSA in 69.0% (2462 of 3570) of the comparisons. The interrater agreement was 81% and Fleiss k was 0.17 (P < .001). Conclusion Kinetic imaging helps to view the same structures as digital subtraction angiography but offers better image quality. The improved signal-to-noise ratio suggests that this approach could reduce radiation exposure and improve the ability to view smaller vessels. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Transradial left gastric artery embolization to treat severe obesity: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is currently the only effective treatment with long-lasting results to treat severe obesity. OBJECTIVES: We performed a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous distal embolization of the left gastric artery (LGA) using a transradial approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited seven severely obese male patients (mean age 48 ± 7 years) referred for diagnostic coronary angiography. Mean baseline weight was 160 ± 27 kg and body mass index was of 52 ± 8 kg/m2 . We successfully injected 300-500 µm polyvinyl alcohol particles using 5Fr catheters and all distal LGA were occluded at the end of procedures. Mean procedure duration was 24 ± 13 min and mean fluoroscopy time was 10 ± 5 min. Six patients reported mild transient epigastric discomfort, which resolved with proton pump inhibitors. At 2 months, the average weight loss was of 7 ± 6 kg (median loss: -10 kg [-2, -11]), 6 ± 12 kg (median loss: -9 kg [-16, +4]) at 6 months and 13 ± 17 kg (median loss: -11 kg [0, -25]) up to 12 months after index procedures. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transradial LGA embolization appears to be a promising technique to reduce the obesity burden. Randomized trials are required to further delineate the risk/benefit ratio, potential clinical indications and long term results.

Short- and long-term results with a percutaneous treatment in critical hand ischaemia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective registry was to determine the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and thrombolysis in the treatment of critical hand ischemia (CHI). METHODS: One-hundred one patients (aged 60.6 ± 15.3 years) were treated for CHI between 2012 and 2016 in three cardiovascular centers. Anatomically, the upper arm was divided into three segments (I-subclavian, II-brachial, and III-forearm). We examined the rates of technical and clinical success, major adverse events (MAEs), and vascular complications at 1 year and at long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (18.8%) were treated for acute CHI, and 82 (81.2%) for chronic CHI. Median follow-up was 36.9 (19.6-68.3) months. Clinical symptoms were isolated rest pain in 91 patients (90.1%) and digital ulcer or gangrene in 10 patients (9.9%). The technical and clinical success rate of intervention was 96.0% (97/101) and 84.2% (85/101) at 1 year. Angioplasty was performed in Segments I, II, and III in 28 (27.7%), in 29 (28.7%), and 44 (43.5%) patients. Stent implantation was necessary in 47 patients (46.8%). Vascular access site complications were found in 2.1% of the sample. After 1 year, MAEs occurred in 27 patients (26.9%), and the target lesion revascularization rate was 11.9%. In two patients (1.9%), thoracic sympatectomy was necessary, and two patients (1.9%) underwent minor finger amputations. CONCLUSIONS: Angioplasty of hand vessels for CHI is a feasible and safe procedure with acceptable rates of technical success and hand healing. MAEs are frequent because the rate of severe comorbidities is high.

Stent Protrusion >20 mm Into the Aorta: A New Predictor for Restenosis After Kissing Stent Reconstruction of the Aortoiliac Bifurcation.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term patency of aortoiliac kissing stents and to identify predisposing factors for the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 105 patients (median age 60.9 years; 64 women) with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease who had kissing stents implanted between 2001 and 2015. The indication for kissing stents was severe claudication in 91 (86.7%) patients and critical limb ischemia in 14 (13.3%). Lesions were TASC A in 52 (49.5%), B in 29 (27.6%), C in 4 (3.8%), and D in 20 (19%) patients. Twenty-five (23.8%) patients had heavily calcified lesions. In all, 210 stents were deployed [180 (85.7%) self-expanding and 30 (14.3%) balloon-expandable]. Follow-up included clinical evaluation, ankle-brachial index measurement, and duplex ultrasonography. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 45 months. The primary patency rates were 93%, 86%, and 77% at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively. Significant ISR developed in 23 (21.9%) patients (12 unilateral and 11 bilateral). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed older age [hazard ratio (HR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.81, p=0.004] and larger aortic diameter (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.7, p<0.001) to be variables favoring long-term patency, while a longer aortic stent segment (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.09, p=0.003) and a larger discrepancy between the summed stent diameters and the aortic diameter (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.65, p=0.043) were associated with ISR development. Multivariate analysis showed a longer aortic stent segment to be the only significant determinant of ISR (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.01, p=0.035). CONCLUSION: The kissing stent technique can be performed with good long-term patency. Patients whose iliac stents protrude too far into the aorta need closer follow-up.

Comparison of pre- and post-transplant sun-safe behavior of kidney transplant recipients: What is needed to improve?

BACKGROUND: The role of sun exposure in the development of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers is known; however, there are limited data on the contribution of pretransplantation total sun burden (TSB) to the increased skin cancer risk in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). The importance of patient education about sun-safe behaviors is understood, but educations are often unsuccessful in OTRs. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed with kidney transplant patients at a single academic center to assess the pre- and post-transplant sun exposure, sun protection habits, and skin cancers. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one patients participated in the study. 13.1% developed at least one skin cancer. High total sun burden before transplantation was reported by 58.4%, and 65.2% reported education about increased skin cancer risk at the time of transplantation. However, that education did not lead to less sun exposure or better sun protection methods after transplantation. Overall, OTR related but not sun protection-guided lifestyle changes affecting OTRs after transplantation led to reduction in sun exposure. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for more tailored, population-specific education programmes, even for patients who expect to receive a transplant in the future, and suggest the importance of pretransplantation TSB in determining the post-transplant skin cancer risk.

[Examination of attitudes towards transplantation among patients with chronic renal failure]. / A krónikus vesebetegek transzplantációval kapcsolatos attitudjeinek vizsgálata.

The patients' attitudes towards kidney transplantation are significantly affected by the acceptance of the treatment to have a better quality of life. Exploration of the cognitive-emotional relation in patients with chronic renal failure. Our study included 285 kidney patients. We investigated three groups of patients: predialysis, dialysis and transplantation patients. In the framework of a pre-examination we have created an attitudinal questionnaire (85 items) that can be used to describe the cognitive and emotional attitude of kidney patients towards their illness and to measure scales. Negative attitudes towards transplantation were reported in dialysis and predialysis patients. In contrast, patients who had already undergone surgery were particularly positive about kidney transplantation. Many patients refuse transplantation which correlates with attitudes towards illness and healing. Our results showed that the exploration of the patients' cognitive emotional relation along with the medical diagnosis would have a better adherence towards the kidney substitutional treatment which ensures a better quality of life. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(46): 1898-1904.

[Kidney exchange programmes in Europe. What is the status of Hungary? A summary of the first results of the ENCKEP (European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programmes) COST Action]. / Élodonoros vesecsereprogramok Európában. Hol tart Magyarország? Összefoglaló tanulmány az ENCKEP (European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programmes) COST Action eddigi eredményei alapján.

Patients with end-stage renal disease may exchange their willing, but incompatible donors among each other in centrally coordinated kidney exchange programmes. The aim of this writing is to summarise the results of the ENCKEP COST Action, and describe the lessons learned with regard to the plans for the Hungarian kidney exchange programme. The ENCKEP COST Action had several workshops since 2016 September, and its first working group conducted two surveys that they summarised in two handbooks; our description is based on these resources. There are already 10 national kidney exchange programmes in Europe, the oldest is in the Netherlands (operating since 2004) and the largest in the United Kingdom, where already more than 700 patients received a kidney through this programme in the last ten years. There are a number of countries with plans to start a kidney exchange programme, and international collaborations are also getting established in several regions. Kidney exchange programmes can significantly increase the opportunities of the kidney patients for getting living donor transplants, but for the successful operation of a kidney exchange programme the organisers have to resolve several medical, logistic, optimisation, ethical and legal issues. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(46): 1905-1912.

[Antibody-mediated rejection: challenge of the treatment in kidney transplantated patients]. / Antitestmediált rejekció: kihívás a veseátültetett betegek kezelésében.

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is one of the factors affecting the long-term graft survival after kidney transplantation (KT). Two kidney transplant centres (University of Debrecen and University of Pécs) followed up their data of cadaveric KTs that had been performed between 2013 and 2017, and reviewed the literature. There were 454 KTs in the mentioned period, 18 cases (4%) were recognised as ABMRs. Biopsy has been performed in all cases. 22% were primary, and 78% retransplanted patients. The average age was 51.2 ± 6 years. ABMR occurred 15.4 ± 22.1 months after KT. Histology showed C4d positivity in 39% of the cases. The treatment was steroid bolus + intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) + plasma exchange (PE) in 16 cases, rituximab was additionally given in 5 cases. 47.4% of the patients are alive with a functioning graft, four (21%) died, and 31% of the patients had a graft loss due to ABMR. ABMR is a dangerous complication after KT. Diagnostic criteria has been unclear for years. Gold standard is the histology, however, accelerated ABMR may occur even in C4d negative cases. The exposed group includes young, retransplanted patients, having a preformed donor-specific antibody (DSA), and receiving a graft from an EC donor. The occurrence of de novo DSA and the kinetics of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of existing ones can be a signal for the risk of an ABMR. The effectiveness of rituximab is not proven, there is a lack of long-term controlled trials for new drugs. Our results of over 40% recovery is an extensively good result. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(46): 1913-1929.

[Nellix: New possibilities in the treatment of the aorto-iliac aneurysm - our initial experiences]. / Nellix: új távlatok az aortoiliacalis aneurysmák kezelésében ­ kezdeti tapasztalataink.

INTRODUCTION: The Endologix developed an aortoiliac stent graft system that is different than the conventional implantation technique (Nellix, EVAS-endovascular aneurysm sealing system). The first implantation in Hungary has been performed in the beginning of 2016 at Heart and Vascular Center. METHODS: Nellix: two endobags surrounding ballon-expandable covered stent (10 mm) with optional length, biocompatible polymer which is able to be injected into the endobags and a procedure-coordinating console. The instructions for use: aortic neck length: ≥10 mm, neck diameter: 18-32 mm, angulation: ≤60°, blood lumen diameter: ≤60 mm, aneurysm maximal diameter: >50 mm, common iliac artery (CIA) minimal and maximal diameter: ≥9 mm, ≤35 mm. RESULTS: Six elective implantations were performed at our clinic. The average age of the patients were: 68.33 ± 12.44 year, the rate of male was 100%. The reason of implantations was isolated infrarenal aortic aneurysm, CIA aneurysm or both. The average postoperative in-hospital stay were 5.17 ± 1.47 days. In the perioperative period fever and femoral wound healing problem developed in one patient respectively. The average follow-up period were 177.17 ± 96.91 days. There was no endoleak, graft-migration, aneurysm growth, reoperation or death. A stroke with left hemiparesis without residual symptoms developed in one case in the third week after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the new EVAS technology, according to 30-day and midterm results the system is able to be used in complicated anatomical situations with low perioperative mortality and morbidity, and it can decrease the incidence of endoleaks, graftmigration and aneurysm growth.

[Endovascular treatment of acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis - our results with catheter-directed thrombolysis and AngioJet]. / Az akut proximális mélyvénás thrombosis endovascularis kezelése ­ a lokális katéteres lysissel és az AngioJet-tel szerzett tapasztalataink.

INTRODUCTION: Most of the patients with iliofemoral thrombosis treated with anticoagulants only are affected with postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) that worsens the patients' quality of life. In the acute phase of proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) catheter-directed (CDT) and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis may be a reasonable alternative therapeutic method. Our aim was to summarize our results using these methods. METHODS: Since 2009 twenty-four patients with iliofemoral DVT were treated with these endovascular procedures and with stenting at our Institution. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 35.83 ± 15.9 years, the female: male ratio was approximately 2:1. The mean time between the onset of the symptoms and the procedures was eleven days. CDT alone was performed in 8 patients, thrombus aspiration in addition to CDT using AngioJet device in 16 patients; in 19 cases the procedure was completed with venous stenting. During the follow-up we performed US examinations and estimated the severity of PTS by Villalta-scale. The total recanalization-rate was more than 50%, which even improved during the follow-up. The total lysis time and the amount of used recombinant tissue plasminogen activator decreased significantly by applying the AngioJet. We did not find any severe PTS among our patients during the follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that these methods can be used efficiently and safely in the treatment of acute iliofemoral DVT.