TIPS treatment in a patient with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding with a misdiagnosis of cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Abernethy malformation is a rare abnormal embryological development of splanchnic venous system characterised by the presence of a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. We present a rare case of an adult male patient that was admitted with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding, requiring multiple blood transfusions. The patient's medical history and the laboratory tests performed led to the misdiagnosis of a congenital Abernethy malformation. We present a rare case, discussing the reasons for the misdiagnosis and we conclude that management of clinical data and imaging are highly important to discard these types of congenital malformations that can mimic a portal hypertension condition.

[Image-guided minimally invasive treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension due to embolic disease]. / Tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar postembólica mediante técnicas mínimamente invasivas guiadas por imagen.

OBJECTIVE: Although surgical pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice for pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease, minimally invasive endovascular techniques such as angioplasty or placement of a metallic stent can provide acceptable results when surgery is not indicated or has been refused by the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients (5 men, 3 women; mean age, 62.6 years) were treated. The patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV and had a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 40 mm Hg and more, a capillary wedge pressure of 15 mm Hg or less, or a Miller index greater than 0.5. In all cases, diagnosis was based on Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary angiography, hemodynamic evaluation, and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. All patients received fibrinolytic therapy and underwent angioplasty. A metallic stent was implanted in 3 patients. Follow-up echocardiographic assessment and ventilation-perfusion scans were scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The procedures were technically successful in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 18.7 months. Minor complications were extrasystoles (3 cases), slight bruising at the site of puncture (1 case), and rectal bleeding that resolved without treatment (1 case). One patient died from an unknown cause 24 hours after the procedure. In all other cases, improvements were noted in NYHA functional class, in hemodynamics demonstrated by echocardiography, and in vascular structure as shown by arteriography and scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive endovascular interventions can help improve pulmonary arterial hypertension due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease in patients for whom medical or surgical treatment is not possible.

Hemoptysis workup before embolization: single-center experience with a 15-year period follow-up.

The objective of this work was to present our experience in arterial embolization in the endovascular treatment of massive hemoptysis and remark on the importance of the workup before embolization. We present some clinical aspects to keep in mind before carrying out a bronchial embolization in a patient with severe hemoptysis. The main causes of hemoptysis are presented, as well as diagnosis means and the most important therapeutic procedures aimed to stabilize the patient who will undergo a bronchial arterial embolization. Likewise, we present our own experience with 401 patients with over a 15-year period of follow-up.

Endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: visual analog scale (VAS) long-term follow-up clinical evaluation in 202 patients.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcome and patients' satisfaction after a 5 year follow-up period for pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) coil embolization in patients who suffered from chronic pelvic pain that initially consulted for lower limb venous insufficiency. METHODS: A total of 202 patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain were recruited prospectively in a single center (mean age 43.5 years; range 27-57) where they were being treated for lower limb varices. Inclusion criteria were: lower limb varices and chronic pelvic pain (>6 months), >6 mm pelvic venous caliber in ultrasonography, and venous reflux or presence of communicating veins. Both ovarian and hypogastric veins were targeted for embolization. Pain level was assessed before and after embolotherapy and during follow-up using a visual analog scale (VAS). Technical and clinical success and recurrence of leg varices were studied. Patients completed a quality questionnaire. Clinical follow-up was performed at 1, 3, and 6 months and every year for 5 years. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Clinical success was achieved in 168 patients (93.85%), with complete disappearance of symptoms in 60 patients (33.52%). Pain score (VAS) was 7.34 ± 0.7 preprocedural versus 0.78 ± 1.2 at the end of follow-up (P < 0.0001). Complications were: groin hematoma (n = 6), coil migration (n = 4), and reaction to contrast media (n = 1). Twenty-three cases presented abdominal pain after procedure. In 24 patients (12.5%), there was recurrence of their leg varices within the follow-up. The mean degree of patients' satisfaction was 7.4/9. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization of PCS is an effective and safe procedure, with high clinical success rate and degree of satisfaction.

Endovascular treatment of a haemodynamically unstable massive pulmonary embolism using fibrinolysis and fragmentation. Experience with 111 patients in a single centre. Why don't we follow ACCP recommendations?

INTRODUCTION: Fibrinolysis is recommended in several consensus documents for the treatment of a haemodynamically unstable massive pulmonary embolism (HUMPE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 111 patients were treated in a single centre from January 2001 to December 2009. They were 55 males and 56 females diagnosed with HUMPE (systolic arterial pressure>90 mmHg) with at least two of the following criteria: Miller index>0, ventricular dysfunction, and need of vasoactive drugs. Local fibrinolysis with urokinase was performed in all cases, and fragmentation with a pig-tail catheter in the majority of them. An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was implanted in 94 patients as a prophylactic measure. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. The Miller index improved from 0.7 ± 0.12, pre-treatment, to 0.09 ± 0.16. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure fell from 39.93 ± 7.0 mmHg to 20.47 ± 3.3 mmHg in the 30-90 days review. Of the 94 patients with IVC filters implanted, 79% were withdrawn satisfactorily. Seven patients died: 3 due to their neoplasia, 3 due to right cardiac failure at 1, 7 and 30 days, and another died of a brain haemorrhage in the first 24 hours. There were complications in 12.6% of the cases, of which 4.5% were major. CONCLUSION: Local fibrinolysis with fragmentation achieves a rapid return to normal of the pulmonary pressure and is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HUMPE.

TIPS treatment in a patient with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding with a misdiagnosis of cirrhotic portal hypertension

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[Abdominal abscess drainage. Advantages of fibrinolytic agents]. / Drenaje de colecciones abscesificadas abdominales. Ventajas del uso de fibrinolíticos.

Image-guided percutaneous abscess drainage has become the standard method of treatment for most abdominal abscesses. In many cases, it should be considered the treatment of choice, but there are certain circumstances that require specific approaches and methods. Typical abscesses within solid parenchymal organs or those in the peritoneal spaces can be reliably detected by imaging techniques and efficiently drained. Abscesses that are multiple or long and circuitous require careful placement of one or more catheters. Management of the drainage catheters includes irrigation with saline solution to prevent obstruction. Despite the use of saline irrigations and large caliber catheters, catheter drainage sometimes fails and conventional surgery is required. In selected cases, fibrinolytic agents have been proved to be effective in shortening drainage times and length of hospital stay. The use of fibrinolytic agents in the drainage of some anatomical sites, such as the spleen and pancreas, is controversial and the technique should be meticulously selected. Successful treatment is most likely when an interdisciplinary approach is used. The present article reviews the state of the art of the use of fibrinolytic agents to improve percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage.

Ileocolic arteriovenous fistula with superior mesenteric vein aneurysm: endovascular treatment.

We report a case of a venous aneurysm secondary to an acquired ileocolic arteriovenous fistula in a 64-year-old woman with recurrent abdominal pain and history of appendectomy. The aneurysm was diagnosed by ultrasound and computed tomography. Angiography showed an arteriovenous fistula between ileocolic branches of the superior mesenteric artery and vein. This vascular abnormality was successfully treated with coil embolization.

Percutaneous treatment of superior vena cava syndrome using metallic stents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of treatment of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) in patients with benign and malignant disease using expandable metallic stent. From January 1995 to April 2000, 87 expandable stents were implanted in 82 patients (59 men, 23 women; mean age 57.8 years, age range 39-79 years) for the treatment of SVCS. The SVCS was defined as symptomatic bilateral obstruction of venous drainage from head, neck and upper extremities. In 68 patients SVCS was due to malignant neoplasia, and in 14 cases it was due to benign aetiology. All patients were treated with expandable stent. We implanted 81 Wallstent prostheses and 6 Palmaz stents. Adjuvant thrombolysis was applied in 12 patients who required fibrinolysis. After recanalization, the stent was implanted in all cases in SVC (infra- or supra-azygos vein). All patients were treated with heparin of low molecular weight (HBPM) during 6 months. Patency was analyzed according to clinical symptoms and Doppler US or venograms exploration. Technical success was observed in all cases. Clinical success was reached in 78 of 82 patients (95.1%) (absence of symptoms in 2 or 3 days). Four patients suffered immediate thrombosis which required fibrinolitic treatment with a new prosthesis placement in 1 case. The follow-up for the malignant process was of 7.1 months (range 1-39 months) and in benign cases was 31.2 months (range 11-61 months). Sixty-two (91.1%) patients with malignancy died without SVCS symptomatology. All the patients with benign pathology are alive. Clinical primary patency in malignant cases was 87% with assisted patency of 96.2%. Endovascular therapy using metallic stent and thrombolysis is a successful method to treat SVCS due to benign or malignant aetiology.

The Günther Tulip retrievable filter: prolonged temporary filtration by repositioning within the inferior vena cava.

PURPOSE: To report experience with the retrievable Günther Tulip filter (GTF) as a means of temporary caval filtration for the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) with use of a technique that prolongs filter dwell time beyond 14 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight GTFs were implanted in 87 patients. The GTFs were placed with the intention of retrieval in all patients within 14 days after initial implantation. In 23 of the 87 patients (26%), there was a need to prolong temporary caval filtration beyond the recommended period of 14 days. This was successfully achieved with use of percutaneous techniques from the right internal jugular vein whereby the filter was repositioned to a different location within the inferior vena cava (IVC) before definitive device removal. RESULTS: Of 88 GTFs implanted in 87 patients, 70 were successfully retrieved and 18 were left in place permanently. Forty-seven filters in 46 patients were removed after initial implantation with no need for percutaneous repositioning within the IVC to prolong dwell time (mean dwell time, 13 days). In the 23 patients who required repositioning of 23 GTFs within the IVC to prolong temporary caval filtration, the mean dwell time was 34.8 days; the mean number of repositioning procedures was 1.5, the mean time between repositioning procedures was 13.8 days, and the mean fluoroscopy time was 4.4 minutes in patients in whom filter retrieval was attempted. One patient underwent placement and subsequent removal of the GTF twice for perioperative prophylaxis against PE on two separate occasions. No filters were misplaced in an unintended location or tilted (>15 degrees ) in relation to the main caval axis after deployment. In one patient, a GTF became permanently fixed in the IVC 16 days after initial implantation and could not be removed percutaneously. Nine patients had mild or moderate-sized cervical hematomas. One patient had recurrent asymptomatic PE 2 months after filter insertion. CONCLUSION: Dwell times of 14 days can be achieved in most patients before device removal. Prolongation of the dwell time beyond 14 days can be safely and easily achieved by performing percutaneous repositioning of the device within the IVC via a jugular approach.

Tratamiento endovascular mediante fibrinolisis y fragmentación del embolismo pulmonar masivo con inestabilidad hemodinámica. Experiencia de un solo centro en 111 pacientes. ¿Por qué no seguimos las recomendaciones de la ACCP? / Endovascular Treatment of a Haemodynamically Unstable Massive Pulmonary Embolism using Fibrinolysis and Fragmentation. Experience with 111 Patients in a Single Centre. Why don’t we follow ACCP Recommendations?

IntroducciónLa fibrinolisis está recomendada en los diferentes consensos para el tratamiento del embolismo pulmonar masivo hemodinámicamente inestable (EPmHI).Material y métodosEn un solo centro desde enero de 2001 hasta diciembre de 2009 se han tratado 111 pacientes (55 hombres y 56 mujeres) diagnosticados de EPmHI (presión arterial sistólica<90 mmHg) con al menos dos de los siguientes criterios: índice de Miller > 0, disfunción ventricular y necesidad de drogas vasoactivas. En todos los casos se realizó fibrinolisis local con uroquinasa y en la mayoría fragmentación con catéter pig-tail. Se implantó un filtro de vena cava inferior (VCI) en 94 pacientes como medida profiláctica.ResultadosEl éxito técnico fue del 100%. El índice de Miller mejoró de 0,7±0,12 pre-tratamiento a 0,09±0,16. La presión arterial pulmonar media pasó de 39,93±7,0 mmHg a 20,47±3,3 mmHg en el control de 30-90 días. A 94 pacientes se les implantó un filtro de VCI que se pudo retirar en el 79% de forma satisfactoria. Siete pacientes fallecieron: 3 en el curso de su neoplasia, 3 por insuficiencia cardíaca derecha a 1, 7 y 30 días y otro falleció de hemorragia cerebral en las primeras 24 horas. Hubo complicaciones en el 12,6% de los casos, de las que 4,5% fuer mayor.ConclusiónLa fibrinolisis local con fragmentación consigue la normalización rápida de la presión pulmonar y constituye un método seguro y eficaz para el tratamiento del EPmHI(AU)

IntroductionFibrinolysis is recommended in several consensus documents for the treatment of a haemodynamically unstable massive pulmonary embolism (HUMPE).Material and methodsA total of 111 patients were treated in a single centre from January 2001 to December 2009. They were 55 males and 56 females diagnosed with HUMPE (systolic arterial pressure>90 mmHg) with at least two of the following criteria: Miller index>0, ventricular dysfunction, and need of vasoactive drugs. Local fibrinolysis with urokinase was performed in all cases, and fragmentation with a pig-tail catheter in the majority of them. An inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was implanted in 94 patients as a prophylactic measure.ResultsTechnical success was 100%. The Miller index improved from 0.7±0.12, pre-treatment, to 0.09±0.16. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure fell from 39.93±7.0 mmHg to 20.47±3.3 mmHg in the 30-90 days review. Of the 94 patients with IVC filters implanted, 79% were withdrawn satisfactorily. Seven patients died: 3 due to their neoplasia, 3 due to right cardiac failure at 1, 7 and 30 days, and another died of a brain haemorrhage in the first 24hours. There were complications in 12.6% of the cases, of which 4.5% were major.ConclusionLocal fibrinolysis with fragmentation achieves a rapid return to normal of the pulmonary pressure and is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HUMPE(AU)

Tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar postembólica mediante técnicas mínimamente invasivas guiadas por imagen / Image-guided minimally invasive treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension due to embolic disease

OBJETIVO: Aunque la tromboendarterectomía pulmonar quirúrgica es el tratamiento de elección en la hipertensión arterial crónica de origen tromboembólico, cuando no hay indicación quirúrgica o el paciente rechaza la cirugía se puede recurrir a técnicas endovasculares de mínima invasión (angioplastia y prótesis metálica) con aceptables resultados. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se trató a 8 pacientes (5 varones y 3 mujeres) con una media de edad de 62,6 años, en clase III o IV de la clasificación de la New York Heart Association (NYHA), con presión arterial pulmonar media de 40 mmHg o superior, presión capilar enclavada de 15 mmHg o menor e índice de Miller mayor de 0,5. En todos los casos el diagnóstico se estableció por ecografía Doppler cardíaca, angiografía pulmonar, estudio hemodinámico y gammagrafía de ventilación-perfusión. Se realizó tratamiento fibrinolítico seguido de angioplastia en todos los casos, y se colocó una prótesis metálica en 3. Se realizaron revisiones clínicas al cabo de 1; 3; 6, y 12 meses mediante ecografía y gammagrafía. RESULTADOS: El éxito técnico del procedimiento fue del 100%. El seguimiento medio fue de 18,7 meses. Como complicaciones menores se produjeron extrasístoles en 3 casos; hematoma leve en la zona de punción en un caso, y rectorragia, que remitió sin tratamiento, en otro. Una paciente murió por causa desconocida al cabo de 24 h. En todos los casos revisados se observaron una mejoría en la clasificación de la NYHA, mejora hemodinámica evidenciada por ecografía y mejora morfológica objetivada por arteriografía y gammagrafía. CONCLUSIONES: Las técnicas endovasculares de mínima invasión pueden contribuir a mejorar la hipertensión arterial pulmonar crónica debida a tromboembolia en la que no es posible otro tratamiento (farmacológico o quirúrgico)

OBJECTIVE: Although surgical pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice for pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease, minimally invasive endovascular techniques such as angioplasty or placement of a metallic stent can provide acceptable results when surgery is not indicated or has been refused by the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients (5 men, 3 women; mean age, 62.6 years) were treated. The patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV and had a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 40 mm Hg and more, a capillary wedge pressure of 15 mm Hg or less, or a Miller index greater than 0.5. In all cases, diagnosis was based on Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary angiography, hemodynamic evaluation, and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. All patients received fibrinolytic therapy and underwent angioplasty. A metallic stent was implanted in 3 patients. Follow-up echocardiographic assessment and ventilation-perfusion scans were scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The procedures were technically successful in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 18.7 months. Minor complications were extrasystoles (3 cases), slight bruising at the site of puncture (1 case), and rectal bleeding that resolved without treatment (1 case). One patient died from an unknown cause 24 hours after the procedure. In all other cases, improvements were noted in NYHA functional class, in hemodynamics demonstrated by echocardiography, and in vascular structure as shown by arteriography and scintigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive endovascular interventions can help improve pulmonary arterial hypertension due to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease in patients for whom medical or surgical treatment is not possible

Drenaje de colecciones abscesificadas abdominales. Ventajas del uso de fibrinolíticos / Abdominal abscess drainage. Advantages of fibrinolytic agents

El drenaje percutáneo mediante catéter con guía de imagen es el tratamiento estándar de los abscesos abdominales. En muchos casos debería ser considerado el tratamiento de elección, pero hay circunstancias especiales que requieren otros tratamientos específicos. Los abscesos típicos localizados en órganos de parénquimas sólidos y en el seno del peritoneo son fácilmente diagnosticados por los diferentes medios de imagen y se pueden drenar de manera eficiente. Los abscesos múltiples, tabicados y grandes requieren una cuidadosa implantación de uno o varios catéteres. El manejo de catéteres requiere irrigación con suero para evitar su obstrucción. A pesar del uso adecuado de estas irrigaciones con suero y de que se utilicen catéteres grandes, en algunos casos falla el drenaje y es necesario recurrir a la cirugía convencional. En estos casos seleccionados donde ha fallado el drenaje convencional, los agentes fibrinolíticos han sido eficaces para acortar el tiempo de drenaje y la estancia hospitalaria. Hay controversia acerca del uso de fibrinolíticos en el drenaje de ciertas áreas anatómicas, como el páncreas y el bazo, por lo que se exige una selección cuidadosa de la técnica. La colaboración interdisciplinaria propicia el éxito. En este artículo se revisa el estado de la práctica con el uso de fibrinolíticos para mejorar el tratamiento percutáneo mediante catéter de abscesos abdominales (AU)

Image-guided percutaneous abscess drainage has become the standard method of treatment for most abdominal abscesses. In many cases, it should be considered the treatment of choice, but there are certain circumstances that require specific approaches and methods. Typical abscesses within solid parenchymal organs or those in the peritoneal spaces can be reliably detected by imaging techniques and efficiently drained. Abscesses that are multiple or long and circuitous require careful placement of one or more catheters. Management of the drainage catheters includes irrigation with saline solution to prevent obstruction. Despite the use of saline irrigations and large caliber catheters, catheter drainage sometimes fails and conventional surgery is required. In selected cases, fibrinolytic agents have been proved to be effective in shortening drainage times and length of hospital stay. The use of fibrinolytic agents in the drainage of some anatomical sites, such as the spleen and pancreas, is controversial and the technique should be meticulously selected. Successful treatment is most likely when an interdisciplinary approach is used. The present article reviews the state of the art of the use of fibrinolytic agents to improve percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage (AU)