Rotational Atherectomy Plus Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Total In-Stent Occlusions in Iliac and Infrainguinal Arteries.

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term outcomes of a hybrid treatment method combining rotational atherectomy with drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in patients with total in-stent occlusion in the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2014 and June 2017, 74 consecutive patients (mean age 66.7±9.7 years; 49 men) with total occlusion of a previously implanted stent underwent endovascular recanalization using the Rotarex system and DCB angioplasty. Half (37, 50%) of the patients had critical limb ischemia (CLI), and 30 (41%) of the procedures were performed in emergency. Mean lesion length was 22±15 cm. RESULTS: Overall procedure success was achieved in 73 (98.6%) patients. Six (8.1%) CLI patients developed distal embolism that responded to thrombolysis. Three (4.1%) dissections did not require treatment, while 1 (1.4%) perforation necessitated stent-graft implantation. In all, 33 (44.6%) patients had an additional stent implanted, mainly due to a suboptimal outcome (n=28) or complications (n=5 including the stent-graft). The restenosis rate assessed by duplex ultrasound at 12 months was 20.5% (15/73); 4 (5.5%) patients underwent target lesion revascularization. Recurrent restenosis was more frequent in patients with Rutherford category 5 ischemia (p=0.005), in emergency procedures (p=0.021), after extensive procedures involving 3 independent vessel segments (p=0.016), and if a complication arose during the procedure (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, only occurrence of a procedural complication was an independent predictor of recurrent restenosis at 1 year (OR 63.3, 95% CI 5.7 to 701.5). CONCLUSION: These findings imply that rotational atherectomy and DCB angioplasty may provide satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of total in-stent occlusion, with a satisfactory recurrent restenosis rate at 12 months.

Bilateral thalamic stroke after tonsillectomy in a patient with collateral extracranial anastomosis - case report.

Haemorrhage remains the most frequent and serious complication of tonsillectomy. When bleeding is recurrent, gushing, and ceases spontaneously, pseudoaneurysm of the injured artery in the proximity of the tonsillar bed should be suspected. Haemorrhage related to pseudoaneurysm occurs most commonly in the first 30 days after surgery. It can sometimes be excessive and requires a revision procedure such as external carotid artery (ECA) ligation or embolisation. During those procedures, ECA should be checked for possible anastomoses, otherwise the bleeding may persist despite the intervention. We report an unusual case of a patient with recurrent post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage due to pseudoaneurysm of the facial artery, which persisted after ECA ligation because of the presence of collateral occipital-vertebral anastomosis. Due to the recurrence of bleeding episodes, endovascular treatment was implemented. However, the embolisation was complicated by bilateral thalamic stroke with unclear mechanism. This case highlights the importance of anastomosis between ECA and the vertebrobasilar system, both in recurrence of significant post-tonsillectomy bleeding and in potential thromboembolic complications. Therefore, ECA ligation should always be accompanied by exclusion of possible anastomoses. In cases of non-life-threatening bleeding, embolisation seems to be the proper and more selective therapy.

Use of vascular closure devices for endovascular interventions requiring a direct puncture of PETE grafts.

BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of vascular closure devices during endovascular procedures requiring a direct puncture of a vascular prosthesis placed in the inguinal region is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis included 134 patients with a history of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) graft implantation in the inguinal region. In 20 (15 %) patients, haemostasis was achieved with manual compression, in 21 (16 %) with the StarClose™, and in 93 (69 %) with the AngioSeal™ device. RESULTS: The incidence of vascular complications in the manual compression group was higher (at a threshold of statistical significance) than in the device closure group (45.0 vs. 24.5 %, p = 0.059). The difference was considered statistically significant when manual compression was compared with the AngioSeal™ closure group (45.0 vs. 13.9 %, p < 0.01). The vascular complication rate in the StarClose™ group was significantly higher than in the AngioSeal™ group (71.4 vs. 13.9 %, p < 0.000001). While haematomas were the only vascular complications observed after application of AngioSeal™, both haematomas and pseudoaneurysms were found in the StarClose™ group. CONCLUSIONS: The AngioSeal™ vascular closure device provides better local haemostasis than the StarClose™ device or manual compression during endovascular interventions requiring a direct puncture of PETE grafts.

[Modern treatment of rupturted abdominal aortic aneurysms with the use of synthetic endovascular prostheses]. / Leczenie peknietych tetniaków aorty brzusznej z uzyciem syntetycznych protez wewnatrznaczyniowych.

AIM OF STUDY: We analyzed the case of two patients with ruptured aortic aneurysm treated with the usage of the endowascular method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms is burdened with a high mortality rate during the perioperative period. The implantation of forked stent-grafts and uni-grafts significantly reduced the mortality rate in this group of patients. Usage of this treatment requires the hybrid operating room. An essential element is to have the appropriate amount of equipment available to find a suitable intravascular prostheses. Uni-grafts are a good alternative for smaller divisions and for physicians with less experience in endovascular surgery. CONCLUSION: Endowascular procedures have a great chance to became a golden treatment standard.

[Usage of hydrophilic catheters and guidewires in endovascular surgery]. / Zastosowanie prowadników i cewników hydrofilnych w chirurgii endowaskularnej.

AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrophilic catheters and guidewires during endovascular overcoming long stenoses or occlusions of the superficial femoral and popliteal artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on 142 procedures rated the functionality of the equipment of the hydrophilic coating. The operations were performed in the years 2010-2012 in the Department of Vascular, General and Transplantation, Medical University in Wroclaw. Procedures related to recanalization or enlargement of the superficial femoral artery. Patients were divided into groups according to the Consensus TASC II depending on the length change. Each patient was assessed ankle-brachial ratio (ABI), claudication distance measured and constructed with double ultrasound imaging (USG-DD). In doubtful cases an additional study was performed with contrast computed tomography (angio-CT). The procedure was performed at the Laboratory of angiography using a angiograph Siemens Artis Zee Ceiling. Every time the contrlateral access was made, and as the first step the angiography was performed to verify type of changes in the arteries RESULTS: . A significant benefit of using hydrophilic guidewires and catheters in patients with long stenoses or occlusions. In case of long and calcified changes, hydrophilic catheters was the only option because it gave good support for hydrophilic guidewire. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in the type C and D according to the criteria for TASC II, an essential tool to achieve a positive treatment effect is the use of hydrophilic catheters and guidewires.

[The treatment of aorto-duodenal fistula with the use of the endovascular prosthesis]. / Zaopatrzenie przetoki aortalno-dwunastniczej z uzyciem protezy wewnatrznaczyniowej--opis przypadku.

One of the most common and serious complications after implantation of aortic or aorto-femoral prosthesis are aortoduodenal fistula. Secondary aorto-duodenal fistula is the most commonly observed form of a fistula between the abdominal aorta and gastrointestinal tract. 76 years old male with infected vascular prosthesis was admitted to Clinic with syndroms of active bleeding from aorto-duodenal fistula. Because of general condition, patient was qualified to endovascular procedure, and a new stentgraft was implanted. After the procedure patient was treated with antibiotic compatible with inoculation from blood and he did not gave agreement for further surgical operations. He lived next 28 months and died because of lung cancer.

[The treatment of dissected thoraco-abdominal aorta aneurysm with the use hybrid procedure]. / Zaopatrzenie tetniaka aorty piersiowo-brzusznej przy uzyciu procedur hybrydowych.

AIM OF STUDY: We analyzed the case of a patient treated in Vascular Surgery Department with the use of the hybrid procedure with a good results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute cases of dissected aortic aneurysm are commonly known as an immediate danger of human live and determinate a big challenge for physicians. The collaboration of classic and endovascular methods (hybrid procedures) gives much more chances to improve patient's survival and resumption to normal life activity. Endovascular procedures are limiting the operation shock, improving recovery time. That means rising the chances of survival so advanced surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Hybrid procedures are a modern technic that gives good results.

Pressure gradient measurement to verify hemodynamic results of the chimney endovascular aortic repair (chEVAR) technique.

PURPOSE: The use of the pressure gradient measurements to assess the renal artery flow hemodynamics after chimney endovascular aortic repair (chEVAR). METHODS: The study was a prospective analysis of 37 chEVAR procedures performend in 24 patients with perirenal aortic aneurysm. In all patients the measurement of: distal renal artery pressure (Pd), aortic pressure (Pa), Pd/Pa ratio (Pd/Pa) and mean gradient (MG) between the aorta and the distal renal artery were performed. Measurements were taken with 0.014 inch pressure wire catheter before and after the chEVAR procedure. MG greater than 9 mmHg and Pd/Pa ratio below 0.90 were considered as the measures of a significant decrease in distal pressure that limited flow in renal arteries. The 6 month follow-up computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed in all patients to diagnose potential endoleak presence and to verify the patency of the chimney stent-grafts. RESULTS: All procedures were successful, and no periprocedural complications were observed in any of the patients. The mean gradient values before and after the chimney implantation did not change significantly (6,2±2,0 mmHg and 6,8±2,2 mmHg, respectively). Similarly, no significant change in Pd/Pa values was noted with the value of 0.9 observed both before and after the procedure. All chimney stents were patent on the control CTA. Type Ia endoleak was found in 4 (10.8%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the described technique seems to be a safe method which allows a direct measurement of renal artery flow hemodynamics before and after chimney implantation during the chEVAR technique. The use of covered balloon expandable stents, ensures the proper blood flow in the renal arteries during the chEVAR technique.