Comparison of Restenosis Risk in Single-Layer versus Dual-Layer Carotid Stents: A Duplex Ultrasound Evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report intermediate-term results of duplex ultrasound follow-up of carotid artery stenting performed with the dual-layer stent as compared to concurrent patients treated with other commercially available single-layer carotid stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single centre, retrospective, nonrandomized study including 162 non-consecutive patients with 199 implanted carotid stents treated over a 7-year period was conducted. Patients with at least one ultrasound examination after treatment were included. Procedural and follow-up data for patients treated with the dual-layer stent implantation (83 stents) vs first-generation carotid stents implantations (116 stents) were compared. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 24.0 months (IQR 10-32 months) for dual-layer stents and 27.5 months (IQR 10.3-59 months) for single-layer stents. The rate of severe restenosis was significantly higher in the dual-layer stent group than in the single-layer group (13.3% [11/83] vs 3.4% [4/116], p = 0.01). Seven reinterventions were performed in 5 patients with dual-layer stents. The rate of reintervention was significantly higher compared to no reinterventions in single-layer stents (6% [5/83] vs 0% [0/116], p = 0.012). Patients with restenosis had significantly higher presence of dyslipidaemia (100% [12/12] vs 63.3% [95/150], p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world cohort of patients undergoing carotid artery stenting, the patients treated with low-profile dual-layer micromesh stent showed higher rates of restenosis and reinterventions compared to first-generation single-layer stents.

Percutaneous thrombectomy in the management of early rethrombosis in venous thoracic outlet syndrome: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Venous thoracic outlet syndrome resulting in the upper limb deep venous thrombosis is known as Paget-Schroetter syndrome or effort thrombosis. A general treatment algorithm includes catheter-directed thrombolysis followed by surgical thoracic outlet decompression. There are limited data regarding endovascular treatment of rethrombosis presenting early after the surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases of early rethrombosis successfully treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy by two different techniques are described. In both cases, rethrombosis was diagnosed soon after thrombolysis and first rib resection with scalenectomy. After 12 months, both patients remain symptom-free, with patent subclavian veins confirmed by duplex ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy devices may offer a safe treatment option for patients with recurrent thrombosis after thoracic outlet surgery, even when thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated.

Therapeutic angiogenesis for the critical limb ischemia decreases platelet activation.

Platelets are required for the recruitment of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMNC) into ischemia-induced vasculature, which underlines their key role in angiogenesis. The difference in platelet immunophenotype between healthy controls and patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) treated with therapeutic angiogenesis (TA) using BMMNC was assessed. The impact of TA on the expression of platelet membrane markers was studied as well. CLI patients (N = 26) and blood donors as controls (N = 21) were enrolled. Bone marrow (600 ± 50 ml) was centrifuged (3200 g, 20 min, 22 °C). BMMNC (100-120 ml) were separated by Optipress I and implanted to the ischemic limb using deep intramuscular injections. Flow cytometry was employed for the peripheral blood platelets immunophenotyping. CD41FITC, CD62PE, CD36FITC, CD29FITC antibodies were used. Patients were followed up prior to the procedure and at months 1, 3 and 6. The expression of CD41 was lower in CLI patients than in the controls. P-selectin (CD62P) was higher in CLI patients than in controls at the baseline and at month 6. It was significantly down-regulated at month 3, however not at months 1 and 6 compared to baseline. Platelet GPIV (CD36) was higher at the baseline, but not during the follow-up compared to the controls. ß1-integrin (CD29) progressively decreased during the follow-up as compared to the baseline value. Platelets in CLI express P-selectin, GPIV and ß1-integrin more abundantly than platelets of healthy subjects. TA down-regulates the expression of the respective markers. Possible mechanism could be higher clearance of the activated platelets in the ischemic tissues during angiogenesis.

Therapeutic angiogenesis improves fibrinolytic imbalance in patients with critical limb ischemia.

The mechanisms of fibrinolysis have been suggested to be linked to the pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease. The impact of therapeutic angiogenesis on the parameters of fibrinolysis was studied in critical limb ischemia (CLI). CLI patients (N = 29) and blood donors as controls (N = 29) were enrolled. Bone marrow (600 ±â€Š50 ml) was centrifuged (3200g, 20 min, 22°C), bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (100-120 ml) were separated by Optipress I and implanted into the ischemic limb using intramuscular injections. ELISA was employed for the assessment of plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels. Patients were followed-up prior to the procedure and after 1, 3 and 6 months. All stage-IV patients (N = 22) had ischemic lesions. The lesions resolved in 10 patients. Five patients underwent major amputation; they all were stage-IV. Ischemic lesions persisted in seven patients beyond 6 months. The t-PA levels were higher in patients compared with the healthy controls both at baseline (P < 0.01) and after 6 months (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the t-PA levels during the follow-up. PAI-1 was higher in patients than in the healthy individuals at baseline (P < 0.001) and at month 1 (P < 0.05). However, no difference in PAI-1 levels between the patients and the healthy individuals was found after 3 and 6 months. The PAI-1 levels were significantly downregulated during the follow-up compared with the baseline (P < 0.0001). Therapeutic angiogenesis for the CLI downregulates PAI-1 levels, thus having a systemic effect on fibrinolysis.

Successful recanalization of acute superior mesenteric artery thromboembolic occlusion by a combination of intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy with a carotid filter.

Acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion is a life-threatening disease, and acute intestinal ischemia develops from the sudden decrease in perfusion to the intestines. The key to saving the patient's life is early diagnosis, and prompt revascularization of the SMA can prevent intestinal infarction and decrease the risk of bowel segment necrosis. Computed tomographic angiography may be useful for rapid diagnosis. We report recanalization of an SMA occlusion in an 80-year-old man with a combination of intraarterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy with a carotid filter.

Bleeding in acute pancreatitis treated by transcatheter arterial embolization with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).

Hemorrhagic complications are usually manifestations of the progress of severe pancreatitis. In major arterial hemorrhage resulting from pancreatic inflammatory disease, visceral angiography is valuable in localizing the site of bleeding, and hemostasis can be achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization. Successful transcatheter embolization of bleeding in the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) was performed in a 38-year-old woman with acute biliary necrotic-hemorrhagic pancreatitis.