Duration of response after DEB-TACE compared to lipiodol-TACE in HCC-naïve patients: a propensity score matching analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively compare long-term outcomes of first-line drug-eluting particle (DEB)- transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and lipiodol-TACE, in patients with unresectable hepatocellular (HCC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our database to identify adult patients with treatment-naïve unresectable HCC, who underwent TACE from 2006 to 2013. Patients were excluded in the absence of complete medical records relative to first TACE, 1-month follow-up, and/or sufficient follow-up data. Periprocedural complications, duration of hospitalization, 1-month tumor response by mRECIST, time to tumor progression (TTP) and target tumor progression (TTTP), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of an initial series of 656 patients, 329 patients were excluded for unavailability of sufficient baseline and/or follow-up data. The remaining 327 patients underwent either lipiodol-TACE (n = 160) or DEB-TACE (n = 167). Patients treated with lipiodol-TACE had a significantly higher tumor burden. By propensity score, patients were matched according to baseline differences (BCLC stage, uninodular or multinodular HCC, and unilobar or bilobar HCC), resulting in 101 patients in each treatment group. Lipiodol-TACE was associated with a significantly higher incidence of adverse events (p = 0.03), and longer hospitalization (mean, 2.5 days vs 1.9 days; p = 0.03), while tumor response, TTP, and OS were comparable. In patients achieving 1-month complete response (CR) of target tumor, TTTP was significantly (p = 0.009) longer after DEB-TACE compared to lipiodol-TACE (median, 835 vs 353 days), resulting in a lower number of re-treatments during the entire follow-up (0.75 vs 1.6, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared to lipiodol-TACE, DEB-TACE offers higher tolerability, reduced hospitalization, and more durable target tumor response after CR. KEY POINTS: • Compared to lipiodol-TACE, DEB-TACE is better tolerated and has reduced side effects, which translates into shorter hospitalization. • When complete radiological response according to the mRECIST is obtained 1 month after the procedure, DEB-TACE offers a more durable local tumor control compared to lipiodol-TACE. • In these patients, the longer duration of response after DEB-TACE translates into a lower number of re-interventions.

Predictive value of angiographic scores for the integrated management of the ischemic diabetic foot.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the agreement between the angiographic scores and the clinical outcomes after endoluminal revascularization in diabetic patients with Fontaine stage IV critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: Clinical and procedural data were retrospectively collected of consecutive diabetic patients with Fontaine stage IV CLI who underwent percutaneous lower limb endoluminal revascularization from January 2009 to June 2011. Pre- and postprocedural angiographic images were retrospectively reviewed to classify lower limb arterial involvement according to four systems: (1) TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus [TASC] I; (2) TASC II; (3) Graziani's morphologic classification; and (4) Joint Vascular Society Council calf and foot scores. Foot lesions were graded according to the University of Texas wound classification system. Clinical results (healing, nonhealing, or major amputation) were compared with baseline clinical data and angiographic results. RESULTS: In the study period, 202 percutaneous procedures were performed, with an immediate technical success rate of 94%. Preprocedurally, the mean ± standard deviation calf and foot scores were 7.8 ± 1.6 and 7.3 ± 2.3, respectively; 132 patients (65%) were in Graziani's morphologic classes from 4 to 7; in 112 (55%) cases, TASC II was considered inapplicable, for the absence of femoropopliteal lesions; and finally, 93% of limbs were classified as TASC I type D lesions. After the procedure, mean calf and foot scores were 4.8 ± 2.3 and 5.9 ± 2.6, respectively, and 87% of cases were in Graziani's classes 1 and 2; TASC II was inapplicable in all cases, whereas 80% of cases remained TASC I type D lesions. Healing rate was 67% and major amputation rate was 4%. Among all the clinical and angiographic variables included in the analysis, only pre- and postprocedural foot scores were significantly associated to the clinical outcome (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoluminal revascularization represents a valuable treatment option in diabetic patients with CLI. TASC classifications are inadequate to describe peripheral arterial involvement in the vast majority of diabetic patients with CLI. Pre- and postprocedural foot scores represent the most significant angiographic parameters to evaluate treatment success.

Vessel-Guided Mesohepatectomy for Liver Partition and Staged Major Parenchyma-Sparing Hepatectomies with Super-Selective Portal Vein Embolization or Enhanced ALPPS to Achieve R0 Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases at the Hepatocaval Confluence.

Background. R0 minor parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH) is feasible for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in contact with hepatic veins (HV) at hepatocaval confluence since HV can be reconstructed, but in the case of contact with the first-order glissonean pedicle (GP), major hepatectomy is mandatory. To pursue an R0 parenchyma-sparing policy, we proposed vessel-guided mesohepatectomy for liver partition (MLP) and eventually combination with liver augmentation techniques for staged major PSH. Methods. We analyzed 15 consecutive vessel-guided MLPs for CRLM at the hepatocaval confluence. Patients had a median of 11 (range: 0-67) lesions with a median diameter of 3.5 cm (range: 0.0-8.0), bilateral in 73% of cases. Results. Grade IIIb or more complications occurred in 13%, median hospital stay was 14 (range: 6-62) days, 90-day mortality was 0%. After a median follow-up of 17.5 months, 1-year OS and RFS were 92% and 62%. In nine (64%) patients, MLP was combined with portal vein embolization (PVE) or ALPPS to perform staged R0 major PSH. Future liver remnant (FLR) volume increased from a median of 15% (range: 7-20%) up to 41% (range: 37-69%). Super-selective PVE was performed in three (33%) patients and enhanced ALPPS (e-ALPPS) in six (66%). In two e-ALPPS an intermediate stage of deportalized liver PSH was necessary to achieve adequate FLR volume. Conclusions. Vessel-guided MLP may transform the liver in a paired organ. In selected cases of multiple bilobar CRLM, to guarantee oncological radicality (R0), major PSH is feasible combining advanced surgical parenchyma sparing with liver augmentation techniques when FLR volume is insufficient.

Feasibility of Percutaneous Intrahepatic Split by Microwave Ablation (PISA) After Portal Vein Embolization for Hypertrophy of Future Liver Remnant: The Radiological Stage-1 ALPPS.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of radiological stage-1 ALPPS, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, by combining portal vein embolization (PVE) with percutaneous intrahepatic split by ablation (PISA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients (mean age 65.0 ± 7.3 years) underwent PVE and PISA. PISA was performed 21 days after PVE by microwave ablation to create a continuous intrahepatic cutting plane. Abdominal CT examinations were performed before and after PVE and PISA. The future liver remnant (FLR) volume was calculated by semiautomatic segmentation, and increase was reported as a percentage of the pre-procedural volume. The FLR/body weight (FLR/BW) ratio was calculated; a ratio greater than 0.8% was considered sufficient for guaranteeing adequate liver function after surgery. The liver function before and after PISA was also evaluated by 99mTc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Patients' laboratory tests, performance status, ability to walk were assessed before and after PVE and PISA procedures. RESULTS: No procedure-related complications were recorded. The FLR volume increase in each patient was 42.0, 33.1 and 30.4% within 21 days of PVE and 109.3, 68.1 and 71.7% within 10 days after PISA. The FLR/BW ratios were 0.76, 0.66, 0.63% and 1.13, 0.83, 0.83% after PVE and PISA procedures, respectively. Two patients underwent successful right hepatectomy; in one patient, despite 1.13% FLR/BW, surgery was not performed because of the absolute rejection of blood transfusion due to the patient's religious convictions. CONCLUSION: Radiological stage-1 ALPPS is a feasible, minimally invasive option to be further investigated to become an effective alternative to surgical stage-1 ALPPS.

Minor-but-Complex Liver Resection: An Alternative to Major Resections for Colorectal Liver Metastases Involving the Hepato-Caval Confluence.

Major hepatectomy (MH) is often considered the only possible approach for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) at the hepato-caval confluence (CC), but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. With the aim to reduce MH, we developed the "minor-but-complex" (MbC) technique, which consists in the resection of less than 3 adjacent liver segments with exposure of the CC and preservation of hepatic outflow until spontaneous maturation of peripheral intrahepatic shunts between main hepatic veins. We have evaluated applicability and outcome of MbC resections for the treatment of CRLM involving the CC. In this retrospective cohort study, all consecutive liver resections (LR) performed for CRLM located in segments 1, 7, 8, or 4a were classified as MINOR - removal of <3 adjacent segments; MbC - removal of <3 adjacent segments with CC exposure; and MH - removal of ≥ 3 adjacent segments. The rate of avoided MH was obtained by the difference between the rate of potentially MH (PMH) plus potentially inoperable cases and the rate of the MH performed. Taking into account that postoperative mortality is mainly related to the amount of resected liver, MbC was compared with minor resections for safety, complexity, and outcome. Of the 59 LR analyzed, 29 (49.1%) were deemed PMH and 4 (6.8%) potentially inoperable. Eventually, MH was performed only in 8 (13.5%) with a decrease rate of 42.4%. Minor LR was performed in 23 (39.0%) and MbC LR in 28 (47.5%) patients. Among MbC cases, 32.1% had previous liver treatments, 39.3% required vascular reconstruction (no reconstructed vessel thrombosis occurred before maturation of peripheral intrahepatic shunts between main hepatic veins), and 7.1% had grade IIIb-IV complications, their median hospital stay was 9 days and 90-day mortality was 0%. After a median follow-up of 22.2 months, oncological results were comparable with those of minor resections. MbC hepatectomy lowers the need for MH and allows for the resection of potentially inoperable patients without negative impact on safety and survival.

Sulodexide as Adjunctive Therapy in Diabetic Foot Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia Treated With Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of sulodexide, a biocompound of glycosamin-glicans, as adjunct medical therapy to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). We studied 27 consecutive DM patients with CLI successfully subjected to PTA who, on top of standard antiplatelet therapy, received sulodexide 25 mg bid, and were followed-up for 24 weeks, monitoring adverse events, transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), ankle-brachial pressure index, pain, and ulcer dimension. At the end of follow-up, ulcer healing, amputation rates, and cardiovascular risk profile of patients were evaluated. Patients were compared with a historical superimposable control group that was treated for the same indications in the same way as the study group, except for sulodexide inception. No differences in ulcer healing and amputation rates were found at the end of follow-up between the groups. In the study group, TcPO2 was significantly (P < .05) higher at the end of follow-up, and pain intensity was reduced more rapidly. Plasma fibrinogen and plasma creatinine concentration were significantly (P < .05) reduced in study group at the end of follow-up. No differences in adverse events were observed between the groups during follow-up. Our data suggest that sulodexide administration after PTA, on top of antiplatelet therapy, may improve the outcome of PTA in DM patients with CLI by improving microcirculatory function.

Image fusion of preprocedural CTA with real-time fluoroscopy to guide proper hepatic artery catheterization during transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To assess feasibility of proper hepatic artery catheterization using a 3D model obtained from preprocedural computed tomographic angiography (CTA), fused with real-time fluoroscopy, during transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty consecutive cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization were prospectively enrolled onto the study. The early arterial phase axial images of the preprocedural CTA were postprocessed on an independent workstation connected to the angiographic system (Innova 4100; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI), obtaining a 3D volume rendering image (VR) that included abdominal aorta, splanchnic arteries, and first and second lumbar vertebrae. The VR image was manually registered to the real-time X-ray fluoroscopy, with the lumbar spine used as the reference. The VR image was then used as guidance to selectively catheterize the proper hepatic artery. The procedure was considered successful when performed with no need for intraarterial contrast injections or angiographic acquisitions. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 19 (95 %) of 20 patients. In one patient, celiac trunk angiography was required for the presence of a significant ostial stenosis that was underestimated at computed tomography. Time for image reconstruction and registration was <10 min in all cases. CONCLUSION: The use of preprocedural CTA model with fluoroscopy enables confident and direct catheterization of the proper hepatic artery with no need for preliminary celiac trunk angiography, thus reducing radiation exposure and contrast media administration.

Efficacy and safety of a novel vascular closure device (Glubran 2 seal) after diagnostic and interventional angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of a novel vascular closure device (Glubran 2 Seal) after peripheral angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). METHODS: From December 2010 to June 2011, all consecutive patients with PAOD undergoing peripheral angiography were prospectively enrolled onto the study after percutaneous antegrade or retrograde puncture of the common femoral artery. After angiography, the Glubran 2 Seal device was used to achieve hemostasis. The following data were registered: technical success and manual compression duration, patients' discomfort (scale 0-5), operators' technical difficulty (scale 0-5), and vascular complications. The site of hemostasis was evaluated by clinical inspection and color-coded Duplex ultrasound performed 1 day and 1 month after the procedure. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight patients were enrolled (112 male, mean age 70.8 years) with a total of 206 puncture sites, including 104 (50.5 %) antegrade accesses. The device was successful in 198(96.1 %) of 206 procedures, with 8 cases of manual compression lasting longer than 5 min (maximum 20 min). No major vascular complications were observed, resulting in 100 % procedural success. Minor complications occurred in seven procedures (3.4 %), including two cases of pseudoaneurysms, successfully treated by ultrasound-guided glue injection. The mean ± standard deviation score for patients' discomfort was 0.9 ± 0.7, whereas the mean score for operators' difficulty was 1.2 ± 0.9. CONCLUSION: In patients with PAOD, the Glubran 2 Seal represents a simple, painless, and efficient vascular closure device, able to achieve hemostasis both in antegrade and retrograde accesses.