[Clinical application and efficacy of TIPS combined with AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy for liver cirrhosis with extensive portal vein thrombosis].

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) combined with AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy for liver cirrhosis with extensive portal vein thrombosis. Methods: From March 2018 to April 2019, a total of 11 patients with liver cirrhosis and extensive portal vein thrombosis were treated by TIPS combined with AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy, including 6 males and 5 females, with the age of 37-71 (46±9) years old, 3 cases of Child-Pugh grade A, 8 cases of grade B and 0 cases of grade C. The intraoperative immediate thrombus clearance rate, perioperative complication rate, postoperative thrombus recurrence rate, rebleeding rate, the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy and the rate of stent patency of all cases were collected and analyzed. Results: All the patients were treated successfully. The immediate complete thrombus clearance (grade Ⅲ) rate of portal vein trunk was 9/11, and grade Ⅱ was 2/11, The average dose of urokinase was 30-60 (40±5) ten thousand U, slight puncture point bleeding occurred in 3 cases, and recurrence of PVT in portal vein trunk occurred in 1 case with Ⅱ grade clearance rate after operation, rebleeding occurred in 1 case, hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 2 cases, the primary patency rate of stents was 9 cases. Conclusion: TIPS combined with AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy can treat the liver cirrhosis with extensive portal vein thrombosis effectively and safely, and postoperative portal vein patency rate and intrahepatic shunt patency rate are high.

[Application of real-time image fusion technique in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt].

Objective: To assess the feasibility and value of real-time image fusion technique guiding the procedure of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS). Methods: From July 2017 to May 2018,a total of 48 consecutive patients complicated by portal venous hypertension due to cirrhosis who underwent TIPS were prospectively allocated into two groups that 27 cases underwent normal TIPS and 21 cases underwent image fusion guided TIPS. There were 25 males and 23 females with a mean age of 29-74(51±10) years. The differences of portal vein(PV) between image fusion angiographyand digital subtraction angiography(DSA), and the times of puncture PV, X-ray exposure dose and exposure time and contrast agent amount of all cases were collected and analyzed. Results: The longitudinal and traverse difference of PV between image fusion angiography and DSA were 1.7-2.5(2.1±0.2) mm and 0.9-1.8(1.4±0.3) mm, respectively.The times of puncture PV, X-ray exposure time and dose, and contrast agent amount between normal TIPS group and image fusion guided TIPS group were 1-7(3.8±0.6) times vs 1-3(2.0±0.6) times, 41-63(53±8)min vs 27-42(35±5) min, 513-787(644±96) mGy vs 357-524(423±59) mGy,102-196(151±23) ml vs 87-145(105±14) ml(all P<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: There are minor differences between image fusion angiography of PV and DSA. Real-time image fusion guided TIPS is feasible and valuable to reduce intraprocedural X-ray exposure time and dose and contrast agent amount of TIPS.

An Individualised Strategy and Long-Term Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment of Budd-Chiari Syndrome Complicated by Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate individualised treatment and long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. METHODS: Between April 2005 and December 2015, 108 consecutive patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis underwent endovascular treatment. According to the type, size, extent, and degree of organisation of the thrombus, agitation thrombolysis (n = 7), agitation thrombolysis combined with retrieval stent filter (n = 5), pre-dilation (n = 32), retrieval stent filter (n = 56), or direct large balloon dilation (n = 8) was performed. Peri- and post-operative follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: The endovascular treatment was technically successful in 107 of the 108 patients (99.1%). The incidence of thrombosis related complications was 7.4% (8/108). Major and minor complications occurred in four patients. The mean follow-up duration was 61.7 ± 39.3 months (range 3-140 months). The cumulative 1, 2, 5, and 10 year primary patency rates were 91%, 88%, 79%, and 79%, respectively, and the cumulative 1, 2, 5, and 10 year secondary patency rates were 100%, 100%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. The cumulative 1, 5, and 10 year survival rates were 95%, 86%, and 81%, respectively. Serum albumin and total bilirubin values were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis, an individualised endovascular treatment strategy based on the type, size, extent, and degree of organisation of the thrombus is associated with long-term patency of the IVC and favourable survival and complication rates.

Budd-Chiari syndrome with fresh inferior vena cava thrombosis: agitation thrombolysis and balloon dilation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate retrospectively our initial clinical experience of agitation thrombolysis and balloon dilation in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) in patients with fresh inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and March 2009, a total of 12 BCS patients with fresh IVC thrombosis were treated with agitation thrombolysis and balloon dilation. Color Doppler ultrasound results, as well as mortality, morbidity, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated immediately after the treatment and at one week and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the procedure and then annually thereafter. RESULTS: Agitation thrombolysis and balloon dilation were technically successful in all patients, without immediate procedural complications. The inferior vena cavagrams after the procedure demonstrated complete resolution of the IVC thrombi without pulmonary embolism and full patency of the obstructed IVC. Thirty-day mortality was nil. Clinical success was observed in all patients respectively one month after the procedure. As of February 2010, the mean (± SD) follow-up period for the color Doppler ultrasound procedure was 21.7 ± 8.9 months (range, 12 - 32 months). All patients showed complete patency of the treated IVC without thrombosis, restenosis, or reobstruction, and all patients are alive with resolution of the symptoms at the time of this report. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that agitation thrombolysis and balloon dilation may be a feasible approach for patients with BCS and fresh IVC thrombosis. However, larger studies are warranted to confirm these results.

An integrated, self-expanding, Y-shaped, metallic stent for patients with complex obstruction after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II): initial experience.

PURPOSE: This paper reports our initial experience with an integrated, self-expandable, Y-shaped, metallic stent (SEMS) for patients with complex anastomotic obstructions after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight consecutive patients with complex anastomotic obstructions involving the afferent and efferent loops after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II) were treated with an integrated Y-shaped SEMS. The stents were placed in the anastomosis under fluoroscopy. Technical and clinical success; complications, including recurrent obstruction and stent migration; reintervention; and survival were assessed during follow-up. RESULTS: Y-shaped SEMS placement in the anastomotic areas was technically successful and well tolerated in all patients, with no procedure-related complications. Clinical success was observed in all patients 1-7 days after the procedure. The improvement between pre- and postoperative gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) was statistically significant (p=0.01). During follow-up for 3.13 ± 1.81 months, all stenoses were resolved without stent-related complications, and general physical examination of the eight patents showed improvement. Five patients continued with follow-up health care after the procedures; the remaining three died of causes unrelated to stent insertion. The mean and median survival periods were 3.92 ± 0.81 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.34-5.50] and 3.0 ± 0.64 months (95% CI 1.74-4.26), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of an integrated Y-shaped SEMS proved to be an expedient, simple, safe and minimally invasive procedure for treating complex anastomotic stenoses after gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II).

Treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome with urokinase following predilation in patients with old inferior vena cava thrombosis.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and feasibility of thrombolytic urokinase treatment after predilation in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with chronic inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2006 and September 2009, 13 consecutive BCS patients with chronic IVC thrombosis were treated with continuous urokinase infusion after predilation and subsequent (i.e. after thrombus resolution) IVC dilation with a 30-mm dilator. The procedural technical and angiographic, and ultrasonic results, as well as mortality, morbidity and the final clinical outcome, were evaluated immediately after the treatment or at 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and then annually thereafter. RESULTS: The immediate and long-term procedural technical outcome was successful in all patients. Follow-up inferior vena cavagrams demonstrated complete resolution of the chronic IVC thrombi and full IVC patency, without occurrence of pulmonary embolism at any time during the study. Colour-Doppler ultrasound (US) follow-up for 16.92 months (± 12.04) showed full patency of the IVC, without thrombosis, restenosis or reobstruction, in all patients and resolution of all clinical symptoms. All patients were alive at the time of this report. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that thrombolysis with continuous infusion of urokinase after predilation is a safe and feasible approach for treating BCS patients with chronic IVC thrombosis.

Outcome of a retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and chronic inferior vena cava thrombosis: a prospective pilot study.

AIM: To evaluate the mid-term safety and efficacy of a retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients with chronic inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with BCS and chronic IVC thrombosis were treated with a retrieval stent filter and a 30mm balloon dilator, and subsequently underwent color Doppler ultrasound follow-up at our hospital. Data relating to the technical success, angiographic and ultrasound results, mortality, morbidity, and final clinical outcome were collected retrospectively and follow-ups were performed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after placement of the stent, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: Stent filter placement and balloon dilation were technically successful in all patients, with no procedure-related complications. Removal of the stent filter was technically successful in 22 of 23 attempts, yielding a technical successful rate of 95.7% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 87%, 105%). Inferior vena cavagrams performed immediately before stent removal demonstrated that the IVC thrombus had completely resolved in all patients without pulmonary embolism. The mean primary patency rate 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after venoplasty was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.79-1.04), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-1.02), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-1.02), and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-1.02), respectively. The secondary patency rates were 1.00 throughout the follow-up period. All patients are alive with resolution of the symptoms at the time of this report. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results indicate that the retrieval stent filter and 30mm balloon dilator are a safe and effective treatment for BCS patients with chronic IVC thrombosis.

[Clinical significance and cost-benefit analysis of serum calcitonin assay in diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To study the clinical significance of serum calcitonin in the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and to analyze its cost-benefit. Methods: One hundred and forty one patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who undertook calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination were enrolled in this study from Oct 2012 to Mar 2018. Using the method of χ(2) test, the positive rate of calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination in diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC) were compared. Firstly, we compared the correct checkout cost of calcitonin test and that of frozen pathological examination (total number of patients×cost of examination/the correctly detected number of patients) . Secondly, we calculated whether calcitonin test help patients save money(average cost of treatment in hospital for MTC×number of patients who were evaluated to be candidate for surgery-cost of calcitonin test×total number of patients)/total number of patients. Results: 139 patients were positive in calcitonin test among 141 patients, and the positive rate was 98.58%. 91 patients were positive in frozen pathological examination, and the positive rate was 64.54% (χ(2)=97.821, P<0.000 1) . Cost-benefit analysis showed that the correct checkout cost of calcitonin test and frozen pathological examination were 71.01 yuan and 426.10 yuan, also,1 371 938.64 yuan could be saved totally and 9 730.06 yuan could be saved per patient because of calcitonin test. Conclusion: Serum calcitonin test had a significant effect on the diagnosis and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and was economical and practical.

Treatment of post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas with the Willis covered stent. A preliminary prospective study.

We describe our preliminary experience on the feasibility of using the Willis covered stent in patients with carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Eleven consecutive patients with post-traumatic CCFs referred for treatment with Willis covered stents were enrolled into this prospective study, and were subsequently followed-up at our hospital. Data on technical success, initial and final angiographic results, mortality, morbidity and final clinical outcome, was collected, with follow-up performed at one, three, six and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Deployment of the covered stents was technically successful in all patients. Angiographic results following stent placement showed a complete occlusion in eight patients with ten CCFs, and an incomplete occlusion in three. No adverse events occurred either during or after the procedure. Angiographic follow-up (mean 14.73 ± 6.77 months) revealed complete occlusion and no obvious in-stent stenosis in all patients. Clinical follow-up (mean 17.73 ± 6.48 months) demonstrated full recovery in ten patients, and improvement in one. These preliminary results indicate that the use of the Willis covered stent is a feasible procedure, and that it may therefore serve as an alternative treatment for CCFs. Longer follow-up assessments and an expanded clinical trial are needed.