Transvenous Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Intravascular or Perivascular Neoplasm: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 36 Patients.

Between September 2008 and August 2017, 36 patients (mean age 56 y; range, 30-89 y) underwent transvenous biopsy of suspected tumor thrombus or perivascular tumor. Intravascular biopsy was pursued because of inaccessible percutaneous access in 9 patients (25%) and as part of a planned revascularization procedure in 27 patients (75%). Histopathologic results showed malignancy in 26 patients (72%) and benign etiologies in 10 patients (28%). No patients required repeat biopsy. There were no complications related to the biopsy procedure. The present series suggests that transvenous biopsy is a safe and accurate method of intravascular and perivascular mass tissue sampling.

Endobronchial Forceps-Assisted Removal of Gianturco Z-Stents from the Right Atrium.

Endovascular treatment of malignant intrahepatic inferior vena cava stenosis involves venoplasty and stenting. Intravascular migration is a complication associated with stents. This technical report describes the retrieval of migrated intracardiac Gianturco Z-stents using rigid endobronchial forceps.

Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction for the treatment of iliocaval thrombosis: From imaging to intervention.

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, known as iliocaval thrombosis, is a common cause of significant morbidity. Patients with chronic iliocaval obstruction often present with life-limiting occlusive symptoms secondary to recurrent lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, swelling, pain, venous stasis ulcers, or phlegmasia. Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction is a technically successful procedure that results in favorable clinical outcomes and stent patency rates with few complications and is often able to relieve debilitating symptoms in affected patients. This review presents an approach to endovascular iliocaval stent reconstruction in patients suffering from chronic iliocaval thrombosis, including background, patient selection, timing of intervention, procedural steps, technical considerations, patient follow-up, and a brief review of outcomes. Schematic illustrations and clinical cases outlining iliocaval stent reconstruction and crossing chronic venous occlusions have been provided.

Pediatric lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption: a single-institution experience in 11 children with chylothorax.

BACKGROUND: Interventional radiology treatment of chylothorax is well described in adults, with high technical and clinical success that decreases patient morbidity and mortality. However there is limited experience in children. OBJECTIVE: To report the technical and clinical success of lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 11 pediatric patients (7 boys, 4 girls; median weight 6.0 kg) who underwent lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization from November 2015 to May 2017. All 11 (100%) children presented with chylothorax, with 1 (9%) having concomitant chylous ascites and 1 (9%) having concomitant chylopericardium. Ten (91%) children had traumatic chylothorax and one (9%) had congenital chylothorax. We recorded technical success, clinical success and complications. RESULTS: Twelve procedures were completed in 11 children. Bilateral intranodal lymphangiography was technically successful in all (100%) patients. Central lymphatics were visualized in eight (67%) procedures. Access to central lymphatics was attempted in eight procedures and successful in five (63%). In three (37%) of the eight procedures, disruption was performed when the central lymphatics could not be accessed. Clinical success was achieved in 7/11 (64%) children. Three minor complications were reported. No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption are successful interventional strategies in children with chylothorax and should be considered as viable treatment options at any age.

Endovascular Iliocaval Stent Reconstruction for Inferior Vena Cava Filter-Associated Iliocaval Thrombosis: Approach, Technical Success, Safety, and Two-Year Outcomes in 120 Patients.

PURPOSE: To report technical success, outcomes, and patency of iliocaval stent reconstruction for inferior vena cava (IVC) filter-bearing iliocaval thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients with 123 IVC filters and symptomatic iliocaval thrombosis underwent stent reconstruction. Mean patient age was 55 years (range, 19-88 y). Filters included 70 (57%) retrievable and 53 (43%) permanent filters. Symptoms included lower extremity swelling or pain (n = 93), ulcers (n = 8), phlegmasia (n = 7), back pain (n = 5), shortness of breath (n = 4), worsening renal function (n = 2), and stenosis identified during translumbar catheter placement (n = 1). Clinical success was defined as decrease in clinical, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology (CEAP) score of at least 1; resolution of presenting symptoms; or normalization of renal function in patients with juxtarenal or suprarenal thrombosis on presentation. Technical aspects of reconstruction, technical success, complications, 6-month clinical response, and 6-, 12-, and 24-month primary, primary-assisted, and secondary stent patency rates were recorded. RESULTS: Stent reconstruction was technically successful in all 120 patients, 63 of whom (53%) underwent thrombolysis. Thirty filters (24%) were retrieved, and 93 (76%) were excluded with stent placement across the indwelling filter. Six minor and 2 major complications occurred. Clinical success was achieved in 115 patients (96%) at 6 months. Six-, 12-, and 24-month primary iliocaval stent patency rates were 96.4%, 94.8%, and 87.2%, respectively. Twenty-four month primary-assisted and secondary patency rates were 90.3% and 94.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Iliocaval stent reconstruction is an effective treatment for filter-associated thrombosis with 100% technical success and 96% clinical success at 6 months. Technical and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent filter retrieval versus filter exclusion were similar.

Radiographic Findings of Distressed Venous Stents and Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Clinical Implications.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe an association between the radiographic appearance of distressed intravascular implants and venous stenosis or occlusion and to determine the success of reparative endovascular procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with distressed stents or inferior vena cava (IVC) filters characterized by pursing (short-axis contracture), straightening, longitudinal contraction (long-axis contracture), or fracture were identified from retrospective review of a venous registry for the period from February 2004 to October 2016. Patients originally presented with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome (n = 25), arm swelling (n = 16), iliocaval thrombosis (n = 21), and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (n = 16), and stents were initially placed in 65 and filters in 13. Implants were located in the IVC (n = 24), subclavian vein (n = 16), brachiocephalic vein (n = 15), common iliac vein (n = 10), multiple veins (n = 4), axillary vein (n = 4), common femoral vein (n = 3), SVC (n = 1), and internal jugular vein (n = 1). Implants included Wallstents in 63 patients; Smart stents in two patients; and Celect Platinum, Denali, Greenfield, and Trapease IVC filters in two, three, two, and six patients, respectively. Venographic indication, distress type, time from initial normal placement to identification of distress, venographic finding (patent, mild stenosis, high-grade stenosis, or occlusion), treatment, revascularization outcome, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean time to distress was 23 months. Fifty-two (67%) patients underwent venography for symptoms and 26 (33%) for surveillance. Forty-five (58%) implants were pursed; 19 (24%), straightened; nine (12%), contracted; and five (6%), fractured. Venography depicted 48 (62%) high-grade stenoses, 19 (24%) complete occlusions, and six (8%) mild stenoses. Of the 73 patients who underwent an intervention, 29 (40%) underwent angioplasty, 15 (21%) underwent angioplasty and stenting, 15 (21%) underwent sharp recanalization, and five (7%) underwent thrombolysis. Revascularization was successful in 67 (92%). Three minor complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Distressed intravascular implants are associated with high-grade venous stenosis or occlusion. Reparative interventions are usually technically successful.

Gianturco Z-Stent Fixation of a Modified Iliac Limb Stent-Graft Endoprosthesis for the Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, characterized by facial and arm swelling, is most frequently caused by intrathoracic malignancies. Decompression may be achieved with endovenous stent placement. Polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents have shown to have higher long-term cumulative patency rates compared with uncovered stents for the treatment of malignant SVC syndrome. Unfortunately, polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents are not readily available worldwide. Moreover, the existing armamentarium, including balloon-expandable iCAST stents (maximum diameter 10 mm) and heparin-coated Viabahn stent-graft endoprostheses (maximum diameter 13 mm), is too small to adequately treat malignant obstruction of the SVC. This report describes a patient with SVC syndrome and SVC tumor thrombus secondary to recurrent nonseminomatous germ cell carcinoma of the mediastinum treated with a Gianturco Z-stent-fixed modified EXCLUDER abdominal aortic aneurysm iliac limb endoprosthesis.

Three-Dimensional Printing Facilitates Successful Endovascular Closure of a Type II Abernethy Malformation Using an Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder Device.

Type II Abernethy malformations, characterized by side-to-side portosystemic shunting with preserved intrahepatic portal venous system, have been treated with shunt closure surgically and endovascularly. Three-dimensional printing has been used to develop highly accurate patient-specific representations for surgical and endovascular planning and intervention. This innovation describes 3-dimensional printing to successfully close a flush-oriented type II Abernethy malformation with discrepant dimensions on computed tomography, conventional venography, and intravascular ultrasound, using a 12-mm Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device.

Anti-Restenotic Technologies in the SFA: Balloons and Stents.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition, which significantly impacts the quality and length of life. In recent years, drug-eluting devices have demonstrated improved clinical effectiveness for treating peripheral arterial disease in the femoropopliteal arteries compared to traditional stents and angioplasty balloons. However, recent controversial studies have called the safety of this technology into question, leading to confusion as to if, when, and how these devices should be used. This article focuses on the underlying pathophysiology and pharmacology, the clinical benefits and potential harms, as well as expected future developments affecting the use of these drug-eluting technologies in treating peripheral arterial disease of the superficial femoral arteries.

Retrieval of Bard Simon Nitinol inferior vena cava filters: Approaches, technical successes, complications, and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The Simon Nitinol filter is a bi-level filtration device designed for permanent implantation that is no longer commercially available, but may result in similar complications to current commercially available long term indwelling temporary or permanent filters. Complications related to indwelling inferior vena cava filters include inferior vena cava thrombosis, inferior vena cava penetration, filter migration, and filter fracture. There is a paucity of reports describing the technical aspects related to retrieval of Simon Nitinol filters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of five patients with Simon Nitinol filters and describes the indication for retrieval, the retrieval techniques used to remove the filters, technical success, complications, and clinical course. RESULTS: The indications for retrieval included: abdominal pain (n = 2; 40%), iliocaval thrombosis (n = 1; 20%), identification of an intracardiac filter fragment (n = 1; 20%), and recurrent venous thromboembolic events (n = 1; 20%). Retrieval techniques included: biopsy forceps (n = 3; 60%), excimer laser extraction sheaths (n = 3; 60%), hangman modified loop snares (n = 3; 60%), rigid endobronchial forceps (n = 2; 40%), and balloon deflection (n = 2; 40%). All filters were successfully retrieved. One patient developed a post-procedural intramuscular hematoma near the site of right internal jugular sheath placement. CONCLUSIONS: Simon Nitinol filters may be retrieved safely and effectively using advanced inferior vena cava filter retrieval techniques.

Nicotine Induces IL-8 Secretion from Pancreatic Cancer Stroma and Worsens Cancer-Induced Cachexia.

Smoking is highly associated with pancreatic cancer. Nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, is involved in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. This work aimed to describe the role of nicotine within the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. Nicotine treatment was used in vitro to assess its effect on tumor-associated stromal cells and pancreatic cancer cells. Nicotine treatment was then used in a pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft model to study the effects in vivo. Nicotine induced secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) by tumor-associated stroma cells in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent fashion. The secreted IL-8 and nicotine acted on the pancreatic cancer cell, resulting in upregulation of IL-8 receptor. Nicotine treatment of mice bearing pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenografts had significantly increased tumor mass, increased tumor-free weight loss, and decreased muscle mass. These represent important pathways through which nicotine acts within the tumor microenvironment and worsens pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia, potentially representing future therapeutic targets.

Interventional radiology-operated endoscopy-assisted retrograde transnasal placement of a retrievable transhepatic covered biliary stent.

Biliary stent placement is an adjunct for complex biliary intervention. Patients with benign biliary strictures or aversion to external drainage may benefit from placement of retrievable biliary stents. This report describes a patient with a working diagnosis of benign biliary stricture who underwent interventional radiology-operated endoscopy-guided transnasal placement of a fully covered retrievable biliary stent.

Endovascular Management of Acute Traumatic Aortic Injury.

Acute traumatic injury of the thoracic aorta is a highly lethal condition, with many afflicted patients expiring before hospital arrival. While previously these conditions were managed with open surgery, endovascular repair has rapidly evolved and is now considered the standard of care for certain patterns of aortic injury at centers with appropriate expertise. The development of newer branched devices has allowed these techniques to be utilized further and further proximally into the aorta. Through minimally invasive techniques, many aortic injuries can now be treated percutaneously with shorter recovery time and less perioperative complications.

Endovascular management of acute aortic dissection.

Acute dissection of the thoracic aorta is a potentially life-threatening condition which requires collaborative treatment from multiple specialties for optimal patient outcomes. Dissections involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch have traditionally been managed entirely by surgery, while dissections beyond the arch vessels have most commonly been relegated to medical management. This algorithm has been undergoing a paradigm shift over the past two decades due to improvements in stent graft technology, better understanding of the hemodynamic interactions of the true and false lumen and their influence on organ and limb perfusion, and improvements in medical management and long term surveillance for dissection-related complications. This manuscript includes a brief discussion of the pathogenesis and etiology of dissection, followed by an in-depth review of the medical and endovascular techniques utilized to treat patients afflicted by this condition.

Endovascular Iliocaval Reconstruction for Chronic Iliocaval Thrombosis: The Data, Where We Are, and How It is Done.

Iliocaval thrombosis, or thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, is associated with significant morbidity in the form of limb-threatening compromise from phlegmasia cerulean dolens, development of post-thrombotic syndrome, and death secondary to pulmonary embolism. Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction is an effective treatment for iliocaval thrombosis with high levels of technical success, favorable clinical outcomes and stent patency rates, and few complications. It is often able to relieve the debilitating symptoms experienced by affected patients and is a viable option for patients who fail conservative management. This article presents an approach to endovascular iliocaval stent reconstruction in patients suffering from chronic iliocaval thrombosis that takes into consideration background, patient selection and indications, timing of intervention, procedural steps, technical considerations, postprocedural care, and outcomes, along with providing schematic illustrations that serve to outline iliocaval stent reconstruction and management of chronic venous occlusions.

Total Endovascular Iliocaval Reconstruction Using Polytetrafluoroethylene Stent-Graft Placement for the Treatment of Inferior Vena Cava Resection.

Resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare surgical technique that is occasionally combined with nephrectomy in the setting of renal malignancy with intravascular tumor extension. While this may be fairly well tolerated in some patients due to extensive collateralization in the venous system, there is a clear potential for lower extremity venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This report describes a patient who underwent right nephrectomy and segmental IVC resection from the subhepatic space to the iliac confluence, which was complicated by profoundly symptomatic lower extremity DVT and gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to system-to-portal shunting. After performing sharp recanalization through the retroperitoneum, iliocaval reconstruction was accomplished utilizing covered stent-grafts, with complete resolution of symptoms.Level of Evidence Case Report, Level 5.

Single-session total endovascular iliocaval reconstruction with stent grafting for the treatment of inferior vena cava agenesis and concurrent iliac venous aneurysm rupture.

Iliac venous aneurysms are rare vascular abnormalities that may be manifested by abdominal masses, pelvic tenderness, or hypovolemia and may lead to rupture, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, paradoxical embolism, or death. Inferior vena cava agenesis, like venous aneurysm, is an uncommon condition that may present with deep venous thrombosis. This report describes a patient with inferior vena cava agenesis and iliac venous aneurysm rupture treated with emergent iliocaval reconstruction and endovascular stent graft placement.

Cost-benefit analysis of establishing an inferior vena cava filter clinic.

PURPOSE: Adverse events associated with retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) have generated an increased interest in improving IVCF retrieval rates to improve patient safety and quality care. This study aims to demonstrate the cost-benefit of implementing an IVCF clinic to improve patient care in an institution in the United States. METHODS: An IVCF clinic was established at a single institution in September 2012 and for ten months referring physicians were contacted to facilitate retrieval when appropriate. Additionally, a retrospective review was conducted on filter placements over the eight preclinic months. Cost-benefit analysis was conducted by creating a model, which incorporated the average cost and reimbursement for permanent and retrievable IVCFs. RESULTS: A total of 190 IVCFs (152 retrievable IVCFs and 38 permanent IVCFs) were implanted during the IVCF clinic period. Twenty-nine percent of the retrievable IVCFs were successfully retrieved compared to 10 of 119 retrievable IVCFs placed during the preclinic period (8.4%). Cost-benefit analysis, using the average of the institution's six most common reimbursement schedules, demonstrated an average net financial loss per permanent or retrievable IVCF not removed. However, a net financial gain was realized for each retrievable IVCF removed. The additional hospital cost to maintain the IVCF clinic was offset by removing an additional 3.1 IVCFs per year. CONCLUSION: An IVCF clinic significantly increases retrieval rates, promotes patient safety, and is economically feasible. Given the adverse event profile of retrievable IVCFs, strategic efforts such as these ultimately can improve quality care for patients with in-dwelling IVCFs.