Carotid artery stenting in a single center, single operator, single type of device and 15 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Revascularization with carotid stent (CAS) is considered the therapeutic alternative to endarterectomy (CEA). However, its role compared to CEA remains questioned, mainly due of the heterogeneity of long-term results. The objective of this study was to report the efficacy and durability of CAS in terms of stroke prevention in a "real world experience". METHOD: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of 344 patients treated with CAS between January 2001 and December 2015.The primary outcome of the trial was stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during a periprocedural period or any stroke event over a 15-year follow-up. The secondary aim was to identify risk factors for 30-day complications, long-term neurological complications, and intra-stent restenosis. RESULTS: The primary composite end point (any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period) was 2.3%. The use of an EPD was protective against major complications.Long-term follow-up was achieved in 294 patients (85,5%) with a median of 50 months (range 0-155 months). Fifty-six (16,3%) died within this period, most commonly of nonvascular causes (4 patients had stroke-related deaths). During the follow-up period, 8 strokes and 3 TIAs were diagnosed (3.2%).ISR determined by sequential ultrasound was assessed in 4.4% of the patients and remained asymptomatic in all but 2 patients (0.6%). All patients with restenosis underwent revascularization with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSION: The long-term follow-up results of our study validate CAS as a safe and durable procedure with which to prevent ipsilateral stroke, with an acceptable rate of restenosis, recurrence and mortality.

Transient ischemic rectitis as a potential complication after prostatic artery embolization: case report and review of the literature.

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Complications are primarily related to non-target embolization. We report a case of ischemic rectitis in a 76-year-old man with significant lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, probably related to nontarget embolization. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an 85.5-g prostate and urodynamic studies confirmed Inferior vesical obstruction. PAE was performed bilaterally. During the first 3 days of follow-up, a small amount of blood mixed in the stool was observed. Colonoscopy identified rectal ulcers at day 4, which had then disappeared by day 16 post PAE without treatment. PAE is a safe, effective procedure with a low complication rate, but interventionalists should be aware of the risk of rectal nontarget embolization.

[Role of low molecular weight heparins in prophylaxis of thromboembolic events on oncological patients with indwelling central venous catheter]. / Heparinas de bajo peso molecular en la profilaxis de episodios tromboembólicos en pacientes con cáncer portadores de catéter venoso central.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to assess the incidence of thrombosis in the upper limbs and of pulmonary embolism in oncological patients with indwelling central venous catheters, and to evaluate, also, the potential role of LMWH to prevent these events. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Oncological patients undergoing placement of a central venous acccess (port-a-cath type) were treated with or without bemiparin in a non-randomized fashion. Assessment included clinical and radiological follow-up. A phlebography on the first day and ecodoppler on days 1th, 45th and 90th were performed. Patients received or not prophylactic bemiparin (3500UI/day) in a non-randomized way. The incidence of thrombosis in both groups was assessed as well as its relation with some risk factors. RESULTS: One hundred and forty eight patients were eligible; 19 thrombotic events were found. The incidence of symptomatic upper extremity thrombosis was 5.41%, asymptomatic thrombosis in 2.03% ; there was one case of pulmonary embolism ( 0,68%); catheter failure occurred in 2.70%; incidence of lower extremities deep venous thrombosis was 2.03%. There was a higher percentage of events in the group of patients treated with bemiparin than in the not treated individuals (9.4%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.27). The only risk factors reaching statistical significance were the prothrombin time, high blood pressure and overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Central venous catheters are very useful in oncology. The procedure was related with a low percentage of thrombotic complications. Sodic bemiparin does not reduce the thrombotic risk in these patients.

[Utility of urokinase in percutaneous drainage treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses]. / Utilidad de la urocinasa en el tratamiento de los abscesos intraabdominales mediante drenaje percutáneo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the usefulness of the treatment with Urokinase (UK) in percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational study of 50 patients treated in the Interventional Radiology Unit from University Hospital Lozano Blesa .Zaragoza. Spain. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia and ultrasound control, using Pigtail catheters (12-14 F). PH , D-dimer determination and microbiological studies were done from the initial aspirated sample. Subsequently, we injected 10 cc of UK (100,000 IU) 3 times a day for 3 days at least. Variables study: RESOLUTION (Principal variable). Other variables included epidemiological, specific prognostic indexes (Mannheim, Altona); types of abscesses (location/origin), pH, D-Dímer and microbiology. Technical success, days of treatment, stay and mortality were also analyzed. RESOLUTION: 86%; technical success: 100%; subsequent surgery: 3 cases. Mean treatment days: 7. Mean stay: 12 days. Death rate: 8% (PMI=or>13 and PIA II=or<-3,76). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of IAA through percutaneous drainage and washed with urokinase, is a safe, feasible and reproducible technique. The outcomes are similar to those reported previously.

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.