Total endovenous recanalization and stent reconstruction for naïve non-inferior vena cava filter-associated chronic iliocaval occlusive disease: Placement of 352 venous stents in 69 debilitated patients.

The aim of this study was to report the technical success, adverse events, clinical outcomes, and long-term stent patency of iliocaval stent reconstruction for naïve, non-inferior vena cava (IVC) filter-related, chronic iliocaval thrombosis. A total of 69 patients, including 47 (68%) men, with a mean age of 36 years (range: 8-71 years), underwent first-time iliocaval stent reconstruction for non-IVC filter-associated iliocaval thrombosis. The mean number of prothrombotic risk factors was 2.2 (range: 0-5), including 30 (43%) patients with IVC atresia. Upon initial presentation, the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification was C3 in 55 (80%) patients, C4 in four (5.8%) patients, C5 in one (1.4%) patient, and C6 in seven (10%) patients. Technical aspects of stent reconstruction, technical success, adverse events, 2-week and 6, 12, and 24-month clinical response, and 6, 12, and 24-month primary, primary-assisted, and secondary stent patency rates were recorded. Technical success was defined as recanalization and stent deployment. Adverse events were reported according to the Society of Interventional Radiology classification system. Clinical success was defined as a 1-point decrease in CEAP classification and stent patency was defined by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society guidelines. The technical success rate was 100%. There were 352 venous stents deployed during stent reconstructions. One (1.4%) severe, four (5.8%) moderate, and four (5.8%) minor adverse events occurred and median post-procedure hospitalization was 1 day (range: 1-45 days). Clinical success at 2 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months was 76%, 85%, 87%, and 100%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary patency rates were 91%, 88%, and 62%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary-assisted patency rates were 98%, 95%, and 81%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month secondary-assisted patency rates were all 100%. In conclusion, iliocaval stent reconstruction is an effective treatment for non-IVC filter-associated chronic iliocaval thrombosis with high rates of technical success, clinical responses, and stent patency.

Aspiration Thrombectomy-Assisted Endovascular Retrieval of an Embolized Angio-Seal Device Causing Claudication.

The Angio-Seal vascular closure device is used to reduce time to hemostasis after femoral artery puncture. Although rare, complications associated with Angio-Seal are significant, including infection, pseudoaneurysm formation, symptomatic femoral artery stenosis, and separation and embolization, leading to limb-threatening ischemia. This report describes Angio-Seal polymer anchor embolization to the tibioperoneal trunk successfully retrieved using the 8-French Indigo Aspiration System.

Technical success and outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement: a 20-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement has been extensively studied in adults. The experience with TIPS placement in pediatric patients, however, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report technical success and clinical outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing TIPS placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one children - 12 (57%) boys and 9 (43%) girls, mean age 12.1 years (range, 2-17 years) - underwent TIPS placement from January 1997 to January 2017. Etiologies of hepatic dysfunction included biliary atresia (n=5; 24%), cryptogenic cirrhosis (n=4; 19%), portal or hepatic vein thrombosis (n=4, 14%), autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease (n=3; 14%), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=2; 10%) and others (n=3, 14%). Indications for TIPS placement included variceal hemorrhage (n=20; 95%) and refractory ascites (n=1; 5%). Technical success, manometry findings, stent type, hemodynamic success, complications, liver enzymes, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: TIPS placement was technically successful in 20 of 21 (95%) children, with no immediate complications. Mean pre- and post-TIPS portosystemic gradient was 18.5±10.7 mmHg and 7.1±3.9 mmHg, respectively. Twenty-two total stents were successfully placed in 20 children. Stents used included: Viatorr (n=9; 41%), Wallstent (n=7; 32%), Express (n=5; 23%), and iCAST (n=1; 5%). All children had resolution of variceal bleeding or ascites. TIPS revision was required in 9 (45%) children, with a mean of 2.2 revisions. Hepatic encephalopathy developed in 10 children (48%), at a mean of 223.7 days following TIPS placement. During the study, 6 (29%) children underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: TIPS placement in pediatric patients has high technical success with excellent resolution of variceal hemorrhage and ascites. TIPS revision was required in nearly half of the cohort, with hepatic encephalopathy common after shunt placement.

#InterventionalRadiology.

PURPOSE: To characterize the interventional radiology Twitter network by analyzing tweets bearing the #IRad hashtag. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61,055 consecutive tweets bearing the hashtag #IRad composed by 5,704 Twitter users from January 8, 2015 to October 13, 2017 were analyzed. Twitter analytics, including activity metrics, content analysis, user characteristics, engagement, and network analysis, were obtained with the use of Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform. RESULTS: The number of tweets bearing the #IRad hashtag, the number of users, and the number of impressions increased by 124%, 76%, and 102%, respectively, over the past year. Regarding tweet content, 4,571 tweets (7.5%) reported new or innovative topics and 4,040 tweets (6.6%) pertained to patients; 19,409 (31.8%) tweets contained at least 1 image and 15,245 tweets (25.0%) included links to websites or journals. Embolization, ablation, and stent placement were commonly discussed topics. Endoscopy, transarterial chemoembolization, uterine artery embolization, and prostate artery embolization discussions were trending more commonly. As for engagement, there were 39,953 retweets (65.4%), 50,452 mentions (82.6%), and 1,704 replies (2.8%). Physicians and patients authored 29,182 (47.8%) and 127 (0.8%) tweets, respectively. Network analysis demonstrated advocate, provider, and media organizations, and physicians as the most active participants using the #IRad hashtag on Twitter. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the #IRad hashtag by interventional radiologists is growing rapidly, with the majority of discussions involving medical professionals and medical-related organizations.

Laser Ablation Facilitates Closure of Chronic Enterocutaneous Fistulae.

This report describes the use of laser ablation for treatment of chronic enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) after failure of conservative therapy. Three patients underwent laser ablation for treatment of 8 ECFs. Mean duration of fistula patency was 28 months with mean fistula output of 134 mL/day. The initial technical success was 100% with no major or minor complications. Three ECFs required repeat treatment. At mean follow-up of 53 days, 7 of the fistulae were occluded. One fistula showed a markedly reduced output of 10 mL/day.

Retrograde Endovenous Laser Therapy Facilitates Great Saphenous Vein Closure in the Setting of Severe Vasospasm.

Antegrade access for endovenous laser therapy may be technically challenging due to patient body habitus, vasospasm, dehydration, and poor visibility of vasculature. This report describes a retrograde approach from the contralateral femoral vein to facilitate laser ablation of the great saphenous vein in the setting of vasospasm. Such a technique may provide a viable alternative in technically difficult situations.

Endolymphatic Interventions for the Treatment of Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites in Neonates: Technical and Clinical Success and Complications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the technical and clinical success of performing minimally invasive endolymphatic embolization in neonates presenting with a chylothorax or chylous ascites. METHODS: Three neonates, 2 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 28 days (range: 19-39 days) presented with a chylothorax or chylous ascites that was refractory to conservative management. All 3 patients (1 previously reported) underwent intranodal lymphangiography, followed by thoracic duct embolization, with 1 patient undergoing additional sclerosis of the retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatics. RESULTS: Lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization, and sclerosis of the retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatics were technically successful. The chylothorax resolved in both the patients. Persistent chylous ascites was noted after treatment which resolved after surgical placement of a vicryl mesh and fibrin sealant. One major complication occurred with nontarget embolization of glue into the lungs requiring embolectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic duct and retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatic embolization can be performed in neonates. Resolution of chylothorax was seen in 2 patients (one previously reported) after embolization, whereas 1 patient with chylous ascites required surgical management after endolymphatic intervention.

Endolymphatic Thoracic Duct Stent-Graft Reconstruction for Chylothorax: Approach, Technical Success, Safety, and Short-term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To report approach, technical success, safety, and short-term outcomes of thoracic duct stent-graft reconstruction for the treatment of chylothorax. METHODS: Two patients, 1 (50%) male and 1 (50%) female, with mean age of 38 years (range: 16-59 years) underwent endolymphatic thoracic duct stent-graft reconstruction between September 2016 and July 2017. Patients had radiographic left-sided chylothoraces (n = 2) from idiopathic causes (n = 1) and heart transplantation (n = 1). In both (100%) patients, antegrade lymphatic access was used to opacify the thoracic duct after which retrograde access was used for thoracic duct stent-graft placement. Pelvic lymphangiography technical success, antegrade cisterna chyli cannulation technical success, thoracic duct opacification technical success, retrograde thoracic duct access technical success, thoracic duct stent-graft reconstruction technical success, ethiodized oil volume, contrast volume, estimated blood loss, procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, clinical success, complications, deaths, and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Pelvic lymphangiography, antegrade cisterna chyli cannulation, thoracic duct opacification, retrograde thoracic duct access, and thoracic duct stent-graft reconstruction were technically successful in both (100%) patients. Mean ethiodized oil volume was 8 mL (range: 5-10 mL). Mean contrast volume was 13 mL (range: 5-20 mL). Mean estimated blood loss was 13 mL (range: 10-15 mL). Mean fluoroscopy time was 50.4 min (range: 31.2-69.7 min). Mean dose area product and reference air kerma were 954.4 µGmy2 (range: 701-1,208 µGmy2) and 83.5 mGy (range: 59-108 mGy), respectively. Chylothorax resolved in both (100%) patients. There were no minor or major complications directly related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic duct stent-graft reconstruction may be a technically successful and safe alternative to thoracic duct embolization, disruption, and surgical ligation for the treatment of chylothorax. Additional studies are warranted.

#VascularSurgery.

BACKGROUND: To characterize the vascular surgery Twitter network. METHODS: A total of 20,841 consecutive tweets by 8,282 unique Twitter accounts regarding vascular surgery from October 23, 2014 to January 15, 2018 were analyzed. Twitter analytics, including activity metrics, content analysis, user characteristics, engagement, and network analysis were performed using Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform. RESULTS: Vascular surgery tweets, the number of users tweeting about vascular surgery, and vascular surgery tweet impressions have increased by an annual average of 77.8%, 55.3%, and 209.1% from 2015 to 2017, respectively. Twitter activity trend analysis showed consistent growth over the study period with an average of 25.7 ± 2.6 additional tweets per month (P < 0.001). As for tweet content, 2,220 tweets (10.7%) were pertaining to patients, and 2,198 tweets (10.5%) were regarding new or innovative topics. 15,422 tweets (74.0%) included links to journals or websites and 6,826 tweets (32.8%) contained at least 1 image. Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, diabetes, endovascular interventions, trauma, and practice guidelines were among the most commonly discussed health topics. Physicians composed 5,618 tweets (27%), while patients submitted 2,447 tweets (11.7%). As for engagement, 8,886 tweets (42.6%) were retweets, 11,816 tweets (56.7%) mentioned at least 1 other user, and 786 tweets (3.8%) were replies. Network analysis revealed central hubs to be vascular surgery societies, academic institutions, academic journals, and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Twitter to discuss vascular surgery is growing rapidly with increasing use by vascular surgeons and vascular medicine physicians. An effort to involve more patients in the vascular surgery Twitter social network may allow for more opportunities to educate, and garner interest and support for vascular surgery.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Smaller Brain Volumes in Regions Identified as Early Predictors of Cognitive Decline.

PURPOSE: To determine in a large multiethnic cohort the cardiovascular and genetic risk factors associated with smaller volume in the hippocampus, precuneus, and posterior cingulate, and their association with preclinical deficits in cognitive performance in patients younger and older than 50 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved the study and all participants provided written informed consent. Eligible for this study were 1629 participants (700 men and 929 women; mean age, 50.0 years ± 10.2 [standard deviation]) drawn from the population-based Dallas Heart Study who underwent laboratory and clinical analysis in an initial baseline visit and approximately 7 years later underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging with automated volumetry and cognitive assessment with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Regression analysis showed associations between risk factors and segmental volumes, and associations between these volumes with cognitive performance in participants younger and older than 50 years. RESULTS: Lower hippocampal volume was associated with previous alcohol consumption (standardized estimate, -0.04; P = .039) and smoking (standardized estimate, -0.04; P = .048). Several risk factors correlated with lower total brain, posterior cingulate, and precuneus volumes. Higher total (standardized estimate, 0.06; P = .050), high-density lipoprotein (standardized estimate, 0.07; P = .003), and low-density lipoprotein (standardized estimate, 0.04; P = .037) cholesterol levels were associated with larger posterior cingulate volume, and higher triglyceride levels (standardized estimate, 0.06; P = .004) were associated with larger precuneus volume. Total MoCA score was associated with posterior cingulate volume (standardized estimate, 0.13; P = .001) in younger individuals and with hippocampal (standardized estimate, 0.06; P < .05) and precuneus (standardized estimate, 0.08; P < .023) volumes in older adults. CONCLUSION: Smaller volumes in specific brain regions considered to be early markers of dementia risk were associated with specific cardiovascular disease risk factors and cognitive deficits in a predominantly midlife multiethnic population-based sample. Additionally, the risk factors most associated with these brain volumes differed in participants younger and older than 50 years, as did the association between brain volume and MoCA score.

Genetic determinants of mouse hepatitis virus strain 1 pneumovirulence.

We report here investigation into the genetic basis of mouse hepatitis virus strain 1 (MHV-1) pneumovirulence. Sequencing of the 3' one-third of the MHV-1 genome demonstrated that the genetic organization of MHV-1 was similar to that of other strains of MHV. The hemagglutinin esterase (HE) protein was truncated, and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) studies confirmed previous work that suggested that the MHV-1 HE is a pseudogene. Targeted recombination was used to select chimeric viruses containing either the MHV-1 S gene or genes encoding all of the MHV-1 structural proteins, on an MHV-A59 background. Challenge studies in mice demonstrated that expression of the MHV-1 S gene within the MHV-A59 background (rA59/S(MHV-1)) increased the pneumovirulence of MHV-A59, and mice infected with this recombinant virus developed pulmonary lesions that were similar to those observed with MHV-1, although rA59/S(MHV-1) was significantly less virulent. Chimeras containing all of the MHV-1 structural genes on an MHV-A59 background were able to reproduce the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like pathology observed with MHV-1 and reproducibly increased pneumovirulence relative to rA59/S(MHV-1), but were still much less virulent than MHV-1. These data suggest that important determinants of pneumopathogenicity are contained within the 3' one-third of the MHV-1 genome, but additional important virulence factors must be encoded in the genome upstream of the S gene. The severity of the pulmonary lesions observed correlates better with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines than with viral replication in the lungs, suggesting that pulmonary disease has an important immunological component.

Interventional Radiology-Operated Endoscopy as an Adjunct to Image-Guided Interventions.

PURPOSE: Interventional radiology-operated endoscopy is an underused technique, which may have a significant impact on the ability to treat patients with a variety of conditions. The purpose of this article is to discuss the setup, equipment, and potential clinical uses of interventional radiology-operated endoscopy. METHODS: A number of new and innovative interventions may be performed in the biliary, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems through percutaneous access that interventional radiologists already create. When used in combination, endoscopy adds an entirely new dimension to the fluoroscopic-guided procedures of which interventional radiologists are accustomed. RESULTS: Interventional radiologists are in a unique position to implement endoscopy into routine practice given the manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination already required to perform other image-guided interventions. CONCLUSION: Although other specialists traditionally have performed endoscopic interventions and local politics often dictate referral patterns, a collaborative relationship among these specialists and interventional radiology will allow for improved patient care. A concerted effort is needed by interventional radiologists to learn the techniques and equipment required to successfully incorporate endoscopy into practice.

Intra-arterial ampicillin and gentamicin and the incidence of splenic abscesses following splenic artery embolization: A 20-year case control study.

PURPOSE: Splenic abscesses represent a major complication following splenic artery embolization. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of intra-arterial antibiotics administered during splenic artery embolization in reducing splenic abscess formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 406 patients were screened. 313 (77.1%) patients who underwent splenic artery embolization and were >18 years old were included. Mean age of the cohort was 58 ±â€¯15 years (range: 18-88 years). There were 205 (65.5%) male patients and 108 (34.5%) female patients. 197 (62.9%) patients underwent embolization without intra-arterial antibiotics and 116 (37.1%) patients underwent embolization with 1 g ampicillin and 80 mg gentamicin administered in an intra-arterial fashion. Primary outcome was splenic abscess formation. Secondary outcomes included type of splenic artery embolization, embolic agent, and technical success. RESULTS: Partial splenic embolization was performed in 229 (73.1%) patients. Total splenic embolization was performed in 84 (26.8%) patients. Platinum coils were the most commonly used embolic agent overall (n = 178; 56.9%) followed by particulates (n = 114; 36.4%). Embolization technical success was achieved in 312 (99.7%) patients. 7 (3.6%) splenic abscesses were detected in the non-intra-arterial antibiotic group and 1 (0.9%) in the intra-arterial antibiotic cohort (P = 0.27). Coils were found to be statistically more likely to result in splenic abscesses than any other embolic agent (P = 0.03). Mean time to abscess identification was 74 days ±120 days (range: 9-1353 days). CONCLUSION: Splenic abscesses occurred more frequently in patients who did not receive intra-arterial antibiotics during splenic embolization; however, this did not reach statistical significance.

Three-Dimensional Printing Facilitates Creation of a Biliary Endoscopy Phantom for Interventional Radiology-Operated Endoscopy Training.

PURPOSE: To create a three-dimensional endoscopic model of the biliary tract from magnetic-resonance cholangiopancreatography imaging and to evaluate its effectiveness as a tool for training in endoscopic biliary interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A magnetic-resonance cholangiopancreatography study was performed on a patient with biliary obstruction secondary to a distal bile duct cholangiocarcinoma. Using Vitrea, a three-dimensional volume-rendered image was created, and exported as a standard tessellated language file. The standard tessellated language model was then edited with MeshMixer. Three cylindrical entry ports were created. The ports were aligned and overlapped with the dominant ducts in three separate areas of the model and fused to the model. A 0.2 cm shell was created around the model and the model was hollowed. The ends of the ports were cut off, allowing access to the hollowed-out model. The model was printed at 125% scale to allow easy access with a 9.5-French (≤3.23 mm) endoscope. The model was printed using a Stratasys Dimension Elite Plus printer. After printing, the model was post-processed to remove support materials. A 10-question survey was administered to all trainees before and after use of the printed phantom to practice endoscopy skills. RESULTS: 11 trainees participated in the three-dimensional endoscopy simulation with most of the trainees (73%) having no prior formal endoscopy training. Using a 10-point Likert scale, the mean comfort-level of the trainees to use endoscopy alone for cholecystostomy, percutaneous biliary drainage, percutaneous nephrostomy, and percutaneous gastrostomy increased by 38.9%, 32.8%, 32.8%, and 34.3%, respectively, following the training experience. CONCLUSION: The use of a three-dimensionally printed endoscopic model as a simulation tool has the potential to improve trainee comfort using endoscopy during interventional radiology procedures.

Approach, Technical Success, Complications, and Stent Patency of Sharp Recanalization for the Treatment of Chronic Venous Occlusive Disease: Experience in 123 Patients.

PURPOSE: To report the technical success and complications following sharp recanalization of chronic venous occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 patients, including 75 (61.0%) men and 48 (39.0%) women, with mean age of 50.5 ± 17.5 years (range 19-90 years), underwent sharp recanalization of chronic venous occlusions. The etiologies of occlusion were chronic deep venous thrombosis (n = 43; 35.0%), prior central venous access (n = 39; 31.7%), indwelling cardiac leads (n = 21; 17.1%), and occluded venous stents (n = 20; 16.3%). The sites of venous occlusion included 59/123 (48.0%) thoracic central veins, 37 (30.1%) non-thoracic central veins, and 27 (22.0%) peripheral veins. Median length of occlusion was 3.2 ± 1.4 cm (range 1.3-10.9 cm). RESULTS: Sharp recanalization was most commonly attempted with transseptal needles in 108/123 (87.8%), with a mean number of 1.2 ± 0.4 crossing devices per patient (range 1-4 devices). Targeting devices included a loop snare (n = 92; 74.8%), partially deployed Wallstent (n = 21; 17.1%), partially deployed Amplatzer vascular plug (n = 8; 6.5%), and an angioplasty balloon (n = 3; 2.4%). Technical success was achieved in 111 (90.2%) patients. There were 3 (2.4%) severe, 1 (0.8%) moderate, and 7 (5.7%) minor adverse events. Severe adverse events included 1 case each of pericardial tamponade, hemothorax, and inferior vena cava filter occlusion. 88 (71.5%) patients had venous stents placed; at the last follow-up examination, 68/86 (79.0%) stents were patent. CONCLUSION: Sharp recanalization has a high technical success and low rate of adverse events in the recanalization of chronic venous occlusions.