Predictors of primary patency after percutaneous balloon angioplasty for stenosis of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) is recommended as the first choice to treat stenosis of Brescia-Cimino arteriovenous fistulas (B-C AVFs). The ability to predict which B-C AVFs are at risk for recurrent stenosis post-PTA would allow closer monitoring of patients, and possibly result in surgical intervention rather than repeat PTA. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors of primary patency after PTA in B-C AVFs. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with B-C AVF primary stenosis and treated by PTA between November 2013 and March 2018 were included in the study. Patient and stenotic lesion characteristics and PTA procedure factors were included in the analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the primary patency rate. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to identify factors predictive of decreased primary patency. RESULTS: 74 patients (35 males, 39 females) with a mean age of 61.68 ± 11.44 years (range, 36-84 years) were included in the study. The mean B-C AVF age was 16.34 ± 12.93 months (range, 2-84 months), and the median primary patency time was 7.79 ± 0.48 months. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed stenosis location at the inflow artery [hazard ratio (HR)=3.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46-10.09] or anastomosis (HR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.09-3.32), dilation >2 times during PTA (HR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.22-4.34), and residual stenosis >30% (HR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.26-4.63) were significantly associated with decreased patency. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the primary patency rate of PTA for B-C AVF dysfunction is reduced by dilation >2 times, residual stenosis >30%, and stenosis located at the inflow artery or anastomosis. These results may help in tailoring surveillance programs, multiple PTA, or a proximal re-anastomosis surgery in patients with AVF dysfunction. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: A number of studies have been conducted to examine the predictors of primary patency after PTA, however, no definitive conclusions have been reached. Our study revealed that stenosis location at the inflow artery or anastomosis, dilation >2 times during PTA, and residual stenosis >30% were the predictors of primary patency after PTA, which may help in tailoring surveillance programs, multiple PTA, or a proximal re-anastomosis surgery in patients with arteriovenous fistulas dysfunction.

[Endoscope-assisted thyroidectomy by chest approach with good cosmetic results].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, safety, and cosmetic efficacy of endoscope-assisted thyroidectomy (EAT) by chest approach. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with single benign thyroid nodule < or = 4.0 cm in diameter, and without history of neck surgery or irradiation, 8 males and 43 females, aged 33.9 (18-64), underwent endoscope-assisted thyroidectomy by chest approach: a skin incision with the length of 4 cm was made in the chest, an endoscope was inserted, and subtotal or total thyroidectomy with the technique similar to that in conventional surgery was performed with naked eyes. RESULTS: Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed in 49 patients, and total excision of unilateral thyroid lobe plus isthmus lobectomy and contralateral partial lobectomy was performed on the other 2 patients. No patient was transferred to traditional surgery. Only one case showed palsy of recurrent nerve. Most patients expressed with the cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: EAT is a feasible and safe procedure with rather good cosmetic