Balloon-Occluded Transarterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center US Preliminary Experience.

This report describes a single-center experience with balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization for liver-directed therapy. A total of 26 patients (11 male, 4 female; mean age, 65 y ± 7) with 28 tumors (mean diameter, 2.7 cm; range, 1.1-5.9 cm) were treated. Technical success rate was 100% (28 of 28 cases), with 1 minor complication of left portal vein thrombosis and small liver infarct. Of the 15 tumors analyzed for response, 60% (9 of 15) exhibited complete response, 33.3% (5 of 15) exhibited partial response, and 6.6% (1 of 15) had stable disease on follow-up. Eight patients exhibited overall progression with a new hepatic lesion and a median time to progression of 7.9 months (range, 5-11 mo).

Patient Radiation Exposure in Transradial versus Transfemoral Yttrium-90 Radioembolization: A Retrospective Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare differences in patient radiation exposure (PRE) during transarterial yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization (TARE) between transradial access (TRA) and transfemoral access (TFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 810 consecutive first-time TARE procedures in patients from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. A propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis matched TRA and TFA groups on the basis of patient age, sex, weight, height, cancer type, 90Y microsphere type, and number of previous procedures from the same and opposite approaches. Matched groups were then compared by PRE measures fluoroscopy time (FT), dose-area product (DAP), and cumulative air kerma (AK). Effect size for each PRE measure was calculated. RESULTS: Before PSM, TRA and TFA groups differed significantly in mean age, weight, and number of previous procedures from the same and opposite approach (all P < .05). After PSM, each group consisted of 302 procedures (overall, n = 604) and no longer differed in any procedure performed before surgery measure. TRA did not differ from the matched TFA group regarding median FT (9.50 vs 9.40 minutes, P = .095), median DAP (67,066 vs 67,219 mGy·cm2; P = .19), or median AK (323.63 vs 248.46 mGy; P = .16). Effect sizes were 0.068, 0.054, and 0.110 for FT, DAP, and AK, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No statistical differences were found for PRE measures between the matched TRA and TFA approach groups. Furthermore, practical effect sizes were considered to be small for AK and less than small for FT and DAP, and therefore, any differences in PRE between the radial and femoral approaches for TARE are minor and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday clinical practice.

Transradial Approach for Noncoronary Interventions: A Single-Center Review of Safety and Feasibility in the First 1,500 Cases.

PURPOSE: To review safety and feasibility in a single center using transradial access (TRA) for noncoronary interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed of 946 patients evaluated for 1,531 consecutive TRA procedures from April 2012 to July 2015. Exclusion criteria included sheath > 6 F, Barbeau D waveform, radial artery (RA) diameter < 2 mm on ultrasound, history of severe aortic tortuosity or RA occlusion, and dialysis. TRA was attempted in 936 patients (62% men; median age, 62.4 y) who underwent 1,512 consecutive procedures (chemoembolization [n = 485], yttrium-90 mapping [n = 391] and infusion [n = 293], renal/visceral intervention [n = 172], uterine artery embolization [n = 116], peripheral intervention [n = 43], endoleak repair [n = 10], and other [n = 2]). Patients were evaluated for complications during follow-up at ~30 days. RESULTS: Technical success was 98.2% (1,485/1,512). Major complications (0.13%) included pseudoaneurysm (n = 1) and seizure (n = 1). Minor complications (2.38%) included hematoma/bleeding (n = 13), RA occlusion (n = 11), arm pain (n = 6), and RA spasm (n = 6). Univariate analysis demonstrated a lower rate of adverse events in African American patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.86; P = .027). Twenty-seven cases (1.8%) required crossover to transfemoral access (TFA). Crossover rates were higher in female patients (P = .0055), height < 1.7 m (P = .024), renal/visceral interventions (P = .0003), and endoleak interventions (P = .0357). Multivariate analysis demonstrated intervention type to be the only significant predictor of TFA crossover (renal/visceral [HR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.84-10.9; P = .001]; endoleak repair [HR, 9.54; 95% CI, 1.09-83.8; P = .042]). CONCLUSIONS: TRA was safe and well tolerated in a heterogeneous patient population across a range of peripheral vascular interventions.

TIPS for refractory ascites: a 6-year single-center experience with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts.

OBJECTIVE. This single-center study evaluated the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stent-grafts for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement to manage portal hypertension-related refractory ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS. One hundred patients at a single tertiary care center in a major metropolitan hospital underwent TIPS placement with an ePTFE-covered stent-graft (Viatorr TIPS Endoprosthesis). Patients with portal hypertension-related ascites and preexisting hepatocellular carcinoma or liver transplant were excluded from the analysis. Records were reviewed for demographic characteristics, technical success of the TIPS procedures, and stent follow-up findings. Clinical results were assessed at 90- and 180-day intervals. RESULTS. Immediate technical success of the TIPS procedure was 100%. Of the 61 patients with documented follow-up, 55 (90.2%) had a partial or complete ascites response to TIPS creation. Of these 55 patients, nine experienced severe encephalopathy. Six of 61 patients (9.8%) did not experience a significant ascites response. Overall survival was 78.7% at 365-day follow-up. The 365-day survival was 84.2% for patients with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of less than 15, 67.0% for those with a score of 15-18, and 53.8% for those with a score of greater than 18 (p = 0.01). For patients with a MELD score of less than 18, the 365-day survival was 88.0% for those with an albumin value of 3 mg/dL or greater and 72.8% for those with an albumin value of less than 3 mg/dL (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION. TIPS placement using an ePTFE-covered stent-graft is an efficacious therapy for refractory ascites. Patients with preserved liver function-characterized by a MELD score of less than 15 or a MELD score of less than 18 and an albumin value of 3 mg/dL or greater-experience the greatest survival benefit.

Uterine artery embolization using a transradial approach: initial experience and technique.

This study investigates the feasibility of performing uterine artery embolization (UAE) via transradial access (TRA). Growing evidence demonstrates significant benefits of TRA versus standard transfemoral access during percutaneous coronary intervention, now making it the preferred approach at many centers worldwide. At a single institution from March 2013 to October 2013, 29 consecutive patients were treated by transradial UAE. Technical success rate was 100%, with no immediate major or minor complications. The radial artery was patent at 1-month follow-up evaluation in all cases. These preliminary data suggest that transradial UAE is feasible and safe.

Percutaneous microwave ablation of renal tumors using a gas-cooled 2.4-GHz probe: technique and initial results.

The feasibility, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of renal tumors using a high-powered, carbon dioxide-cooled probe were evaluated. There were 15 tumors treated in 14 patients. Computed tomography was performed immediately after MWA, and follow-up imaging was performed to evaluate for recurrence. Immediate technical effectiveness was 100%. One complication involved the formation of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm. At follow-up (mean interval, 12.5 wk) evaluation, 14 of 15 (93.3%) tumors demonstrated complete necrosis. MWA is a safe, effective treatment modality; larger studies are warranted to demonstrate long-term oncologic outcomes.

Prospective, randomized study of coil embolization versus Surefire infusion system during yttrium-90 radioembolization with resin microspheres.

PURPOSE: To compare standard coil embolization versus the use of an antireflux microcatheter (ARM) in patients undergoing planning angiography before selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center trial was performed in which 30 patients were randomly assigned to undergo SIRT with coil embolization or the use of an ARM. The coil group underwent detachable coil embolization of nontarget vessels, and the ARM group underwent infusion of macroaggregated albumin with use of an ARM system, without coil embolization. Single-photon emission computed tomography (CT)/CT was then performed to assess for nontarget distribution. The primary endpoint was fluoroscopy time during planning angiography. Secondary endpoints included deployment time, total procedure time, radiation dose-area product, contrast agent used, and adverse events. Endpoints were evaluated during planning angiography and SIRT. RESULTS: Over a 9-month period, 30 consecutive patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio between coil embolization and ARM groups. Technical success rates were 100% in both groups. Mean fluoroscopy time was significantly reduced in the ARM group versus the coil embolization group (1.8 min [range, 0.4-4.9 min] vs 6.0 min [range, 1.9-15.7 min]; P = .002). The planning procedure time (P < .001), deployment time (P < .001), dose-area product (P = .04), and amount of contrast agent used (P < .001) were also significantly less in the ARM group than in the coil embolization group. No nontarget distribution was detected in either group. There was no difference between groups in dose delivered on the day of SIRT (P = .71). There were no major or minor adverse events at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an ARM during planning angiography can significantly reduce fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and radiation dose.

Portal vein embolization before right hepatectomy or extended right hepatectomy using sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam: technique and initial results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of portal vein embolization (PVE) with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) foam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of 35 patients (27 men and 8 women; mean age, 61 y) who underwent PVE with STS foam was performed. The technical success rate, rate of PVE at producing adequate future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy, and rate of disease progression precluding resection after PVE were analyzed. Complications of PVE and liver resection after PVE were recorded. RESULTS: PVE was performed on 35 patients before right hepatic resection for both primary and secondary hepatic malignancies (22 hepatocellular carcinoma, 10 metastasis, 2 cholangiocarcinoma, 1 invasive gallbladder carcinoma). Technical success was achieved in 97.1% (34 of 35) of patients. Mean FLR of the total estimated liver volume increased from 24.5% (SD, 7.7%) to 36.5% (SD, 14.5%), a mean percentage increase of 48.8% (SD, 34.3%). PVE produced adequate FLR hypertrophy in 31 of 35 patients (88.6%). Proposed right hepatectomy was subsequently performed in 27 patients (77.1%). One patient remains scheduled for surgery, two had peritoneal spread at surgery and resection was aborted, two had disease progression on imaging after PVE, and three had inadequate FLR hypertrophy with no surgery. One major complication was observed related to PVE that involved nontarget embolization to segment III, which was managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PVE with STS foam is a safe and effective method to induce hypertrophy of the FLR.

Revascularization for critical limb ischemia using the SpiderFX embolic protection device in the below-the-knee circulation: initial results.

PURPOSE: To examine the safety and efficacy of the SpiderFX embolic protection device (EPD) in the below-the-knee (BTK) circulation in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed to identify patients with CLI and single-vessel runoff in whom the SpiderFX EPD was used in the BTK circulation. Technical success and device-related complications were the primary endpoints. Retrieval of macroscopic debris in the EPD, 1-year freedom from major adverse limb events (MALEs), and 30-day perioperative death were also evaluated. A major amputation, surgical bypass, endovascular thrombectomy, or endovascular thrombolysis was considered a MALE. Thirty-six patients (21 men; mean age, 75.8 y) treated between 2008 and 2013 had endovascular revascularization with use of the SpiderFX EPD in the BTK circulation. RESULTS: The SpiderFX EPD was successfully deployed in all cases; the technical success rate of revascularization was 100%. Two minor and zero major complications were observed related to the SpiderFX. Two MALEs, a major amputation and a subsequent surgical bypass, were observed in the cohort. All MALEs occurred within 1 year of treatment (1-y freedom from MALE rate, 90%). Debris was retrieved in the SpiderFX device in 47% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the SpiderFX EPD in the BTK circulation in patients with CLI is safe and frequently retrieves debris.

Double-barrel iliocaval reconstruction using closed-cell dedicated venous stents.

OBJECTIVE: Double-barrel iliocaval reconstruction is performed by deploying two stents simultaneously in a side-by-side, or "double-barrel," configuration in the inferior vena cava (IVC) with extension into the bilateral common iliac veins. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of double-barrel reconstruction using closed-cell dedicated venous stents for the treatment of iliocaval deep venous thrombosis and iliac vein compression syndrome. METHODS: All endovascular procedural reports comprising vascular surgery and interventional radiology operators from a single urban academic hospital between May 1, 2019, and April 30, 2021, were retrospectively searched. A cohort of 22 consecutive patients who underwent double-barrel iliocaval stenting with closed-cell dedicated venous stents for chronic or acute-on-chronic iliocaval venous disease without prior endovascular iliocaval repair was identified. Baseline characteristics, procedural data, and patient outcomes were determined via a manual review of preprocedure clinical notes, diagnostic imaging studies, procedure notes and images, and follow-up clinical notes. RESULTS: The median (range) age was 59 (27-81) years, and the cohort consisted of 59.1% female. The most common presenting symptoms of venous disease were lower extremity swelling (90.9%) and pain (50.0%). CEAP clinical classification was C3 in 86.4% of patients, whereas the remainder had C4 disease. Most patients (72.7%) had post-thrombotic syndrome, 22.7% had a nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion, and one patient (4.5%) had the congenital absence of the infrarenal IVC. A total of 40.9% of patients had a pre-existing IVC filter at the time of treatment. Six of the 22 patients underwent concurrent pharmacomechanical thrombectomy during the index iliocaval reconstruction and stenting procedure. The number of stents placed ranged from 2 to 5. With a mean follow-up period of 7.1 months, ranging from 12 days to 16.7 months, the freedom from reintervention rate was 90.9%. Twenty of 22 patients achieved subjective improvement or resolution of symptoms. The major adverse event rate was 9.1%, as two patients had access site complications requiring intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Double-barrel iliocaval reconstruction with closed-cell dedicated venous stents for the treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome or iliac vein compression syndrome is technically feasible and clinically effective with a low reintervention rate.

Single-center experience with elective transcatheter coil embolization of splenic artery aneurysms: technique and midterm follow-up.

PURPOSE: To review a single-center experience with elective coil embolization of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) and analyze efficacy of the technique at midterm follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 through 2011, 50 patients (28 women, 22 men; age range, 24-89 y; mean age, 53.5 y ± 13.6) underwent transcatheter coil embolization for treatment of SAAs. Pseudoaneurysms and ruptured aneurysms were excluded. A total of 63 SAAs were treated (size, 13-97 mm; mean, 29 mm). Ninety-eight percent of aneurysms were treated with coils alone. Regular follow-up consisted of an office visit and imaging. Patient medical records were reviewed for aneurysm location, procedural approach, and technical and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of procedures were technically successful at thrombosing the aneurysm at the time of procedure. Repeat intervention was performed in four of 47 patients (9%) because of continued aneurysm perfusion at follow-up. Mean time to repeat intervention was 125 days (range, 42-245 d). All repeat interventions were technically successful. Neither aneurysm growth nor aneurysm rupture was observed in any patient during the follow-up period (mean, 78 weeks; range, 9 d to 7.1 y). There were no major adverse events. Major splenic infarction occurred in three of 33 patients (9%) with no underlying liver disease and normal splenic volume and in seven of 14 patients (50%) with portal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for SAAs as evidenced by high rates of technical success and freedom from aneurysm rupture.

Radiation dose reduction utilizing noise reduction technology during uterine artery embolization: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the radiation dose reduction during uterine artery embolization utilizing dose reduction technology. METHODS: A total of 58 women underwent uterine artery embolization. A total of 26 procedures were performed in a standard fluoroscopy suite; 32 procedures were performed utilizing a novel imaging platform. Radiation dose data and acquisition parameters were compared. RESULTS: The new platform provided significant reduction in the median radiation dose (P<.001): from 389Gy cm(2) to 145Gy cm(2). There were no differences between the groups with regard to acquisition parameters. CONCLUSION: The new imaging platform provided a 61% dose reduction during uterine artery embolization without a significant change in acquisition parameters.

Percutaneous Mesocaval Shunt Creation in a Patient with Chronic Portal and Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis.

The creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a critical procedure for the treatment of recurrent variceal bleeding and refractory ascites in the setting of portal hypertension. Chronic portal vein thrombosis remains a relative contraindication to conventional TIPS and options are limited in this scenario. Presented is a novel technique for management of refractory ascites in a patient with hepatitis C cirrhosis and chronic portal and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to schistosomiasis and lupus anticoagulant utilizing fluoroscopically guided percutaneous mesocaval shunt creation.

Endovascular therapy for atherosclerotic occlusion and stenosis from the infrarenal aorta to the infrapopliteal arteries.

Aortoiliac and peripheral vascular disease that cannot be treated medically is generally treated by vascular surgeons and/or interventional radiologists. Advances in technology have allowed endovascular therapy to become a therapeutic option for atherosclerotic disease from the aorta to the femoropopliteal region. Distal peripheral disease is still approached surgically; however, further technological advances may lead to a more active role for endovascular therapy at this level.

Characterization of extrahepatic distribution of Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin in hepatic perfusion imaging studies prior to yttrium-90 microsphere therapy.

Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) hepatic perfusion study and hepatic angiography are routinely performed prior to yttrium-90 (Y-90) microsphere therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or metastatic cancers to the liver. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of altered Tc-99m MAA distribution in these patients and to identify factors that are associated with these changes. A total of 176 Tc-99m MAA hepatic perfusion studies in 159 patients performed in preparation for Y-90 microsphere therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormal findings were identified and correlated with diagnosis, infusion site, tumor volume, and tumor uptake by using bivariate statistical analysis. Abnormal Tc-99m MAA distribution on the hepatic perfusion imaging studies include excessive hepatopulmonary shunting with an elevated shunting fraction (>10%; n=23, 13%) and abnormal intra-abdominal visceral deposition in the GI tract, pancreas, spleen, and umbilical vein (n=19; 11%). Patients with a diagnosis of HCC showed higher incidence of abnormal hepatopulmonary shunting compared with other types of tumors (p<0.05). The incidence of abnormal intra-abdominal visceral deposition is higher with infusion into the left hepatic artery or proper hepatic artery/common hepatic artery compared with infusion into right hepatic artery (p<0.001). In 9 of 12 cases with abnormal deposition in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas, the cause was identified upon reviewing angiography retrospectively and was subsequently corrected. In conclusion, the hepatic perfusion imaging study is an important imaging modality in preparation and guidance of Y-90 microsphere treatment.

Intra-arterial methylprednisolone infusion in treatment-resistant graft-versus-host disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a potentially fatal complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Standard primary therapy for acute GVHD includes systemic steroids, often in combination with other agents. Unfortunately, primary treatment failure is common and carries a high mortality. There is no generally accepted secondary therapy for acute GVHD. Although few data on localized therapy for GVHD have been published, intra-arterial injection of high-dose corticosteroids may be a viable option. We treated 11 patients with steroid-resistant GVHD using a single administration of intra-arterial high-dose methylprednisolone. Three patients (27%) died periprocedurally. Four patients (36%) had a partial response to intra-arterial treatment and were discharged on total parenteral nutrition and oral medication. Four patients (36%) had a complete response and were discharged on oral diet and oral medication. No immediate treatment or procedure-related complications were noted. Twenty-seven percent of patients survived long-term. Our preliminary results suggest that regional intra-arterial treatment of steroid-resistant GVHD is a safe and potentially viable secondary therapy in primary treatment-resistant GVHD.

Inferior mesenteric artery embolization before endovascular aneurysm repair: technique and initial results.

PURPOSE: To report a single center's technique and initial results in the preoperative embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) before endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 3-year period, 102 patients at a single clinical site, including 86 men and 16 women aged 54-93 years (mean, 75 years), were found to have a patent IMA on computed tomographic (CT) angiography before EVAR. Coil embolization was performed after subselective catheterization with use of microcoils placed in the IMA proximal to the origin of the left colic artery. All patients in whom the IMA was visualized on flush aortography and successfully accessed underwent embolization. One month and 6 months after surgery, results in this cohort were retrospectively compared with those from a similar group of patients who underwent EVAR during the same period. These patients had patent IMAs on preoperative CT angiography but did not undergo embolization as a result of nonvisualization during flush aortography. All patients underwent EVAR with bifurcated modular devices with proximal transrenal fixation. All patients underwent postoperative follow-up with multiphase CT angiography to detect the presence of endoleak. Six-month follow-up data were available for 18 patients who underwent embolization and 54 patients who did not. Change in sac diameter was compared in these patients. RESULTS: Embolization was technically successful in 30 of 32 patients (94%) in whom it was attempted. There were no complications. At 1-month follow-up, five of 30 patients in the embolization group were noted to have a type II endoleak (17%). None of the endoleaks in this group were related to the IMA. The group with patent IMAs who did not undergo preoperative embolization had a 42% incidence of type II endoleak (P < .05). At 6 months after surgery, three of 18 patients who had undergone embolization (17%) had a type II endoleak, compared with 26 of 54 in the other group (48%; P < .05). Among the patients in whom 6-month data were available, mean changes in sac diameter were -5.2 mm (range, -24 to 2 mm) in the embolized group and -2.1 mm (range, -19 to 8 mm) in the nonembolized group. CONCLUSION: These initial results demonstrate that embolization of the IMA with subselective microcoils before EVAR is a safe and effective procedure to reduce the incidence of type II endoleaks. The data also suggest that preoperative embolization of the IMA is associated with greater shrinkage of aneurysm sac diameter at 6 months.