What predicts durable symptom relief of uterine fibroids treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound? A multicenter trial in 8 academic centers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify variables predictive of durable clinical success after MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment of uterine fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter trial, 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated using MRgFUS. Pelvic MRI was obtained at baseline and treatment day. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom-Quality of Life questionnaire was used to calculate a symptom severity score (SSS) at baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following treatment. Clinical, imaging, and treatment variables were correlated with symptom reduction sustained through the 12- and 24-month time points using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A novel parameter, the ratio of non-perfused volume to total fibroid load (NPV/TFL), was developed to determine association with durable outcomes. RESULTS: Post-treatment, mean symptom severity decreased at the 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-ups (p < 0.001, all time points). In univariable analysis, three variables predicted treatment success (defined by ≥ 30-point improvement in SSS) sustained at both the 12-month and 24-month time points: increasing ratio of NPV/TFL (p = 0.002), decreasing total fibroid load (p = 0.04), and the absence of T2-weighted Funaki type 2 fibroids (p = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, the NPV/TFL was the sole predictor of durable clinical success (p = 0.01). Patients with ratios below 30% had less improvement in SSS and lacked durable clinical response compared with those between 30-79 (p = 0.03) and ≥ 80% (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased non-perfused volume relative to total fibroid volume was significantly associated with durable reduction of symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and bulk bother. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Patient selection for sustained clinical benefit should emphasize those with likelihood of achieving high ablation ratios, as determined by imaging (e.g., device access, Funaki type) and by considering the total fibroid load, not just the primary symptomatic fibroid. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial ID: NCT01285960. KEY POINTS: • Patient selection/treatment approach associated with durable symptom relief in MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids remains unclear. • The ablation ratio, non-perfused volume/total fibroid volume, was positively associated with sustained symptom relief in both bleeding and bulk bother at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. • Selecting patients with imaging features that favor a high ratio of ablation to total fibroid load (including non-targeted fibroids) is the main factor in predicting durability of symptom relief after uterine fibroid treatment.

The use of tissue plasminogen activator infusion to re-establish function of tunneled hemodialysis catheters.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator alteplase in the clearance of poorly functioning tunneled hemodialysis catheters. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 25 patients who presented with poorly functioning hemodialysis catheters and were treated with alteplase. After confirming fluoroscopically the need for thrombolytic therapy, alteplase was administered over 2 hours as a 2.5-mg/hour/catheter lumen infusion (total 10 mg). Treatment was considered a clinical success if a flow rate of 250 mL or more per minute was established. RESULTS: Clinical success was achieved in each of 25 patients (100%). There were no thrombolytic-related complications. Catheter survival was extended 30 days in 54% of patients and 45 days in 33% of patients. CONCLUSION: Alteplase is a safe and effective means of producing clearance of blocked tunneled catheters.

Chylothorax fluid autoinfusion in a chronic hemodialysis patient.

A large left-sided pleural effusion occurred in a 12-year-old end-stage renal disease patient undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD). The fluid had physical and laboratory characteristics of chylothorax (CHTX) and was probably related to the multiple HD accesses placed in the neck area. Initially, thoracenteses were performed and the fluid discarded. Subsequently, a permanent drainage catheter placed in the left hemithorax was connected to a syringe with a stopcock, and from here to the arterial port of the HD catheter. One liter of CHTX fluid was removed on dialysis days three times weekly, for 7.5 weeks, and directly re-infused into the patient in a closed sterile circuit. A total of about 20 l was safely returned to the patient. The procedure was well tolerated and provided time until the CHTX resolved spontaneously. It is recommended that in similar clinical settings re-infusion of CHTX fluid should be performed to prevent the loss of protein-/T-cell-rich fluid.

Early ambulation after diagnostic angiography using 4-f catheters and sheaths: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and safety of early ambulation in patients undergoing transfemoral diagnostic angiography using 4-F catheters or sheaths. METHODS: In this prospective study approved by the institutional review board, patients undergoing diagnostic angiography were randomized to ambulate 3 or 6 hours after catheter or sheath removal. All patients were assessed for hematoma formation, pseudoaneurysm development, and other groin complications during the in-hospital recovery period and after 30 days. Patient satisfaction and comfort level were also assessed by survey. RESULTS: Of 110 patients (66 men; mean age 64.9 +/- 12.8 years) who participated in this study, 47 were randomized to the 6-hour (6-H) group and 63 to the 3-hour (3-H) group. In the 3-H and 6-H groups, respectively, a 4-F catheter was used in 45 (71%) and 35 (74%) patients and a 4-F sheath in 18 (29%) and 12 (26%). No clinically significant groin complications were encountered in either group. Moderate to severe discomfort was reported in 9 (16%) of the 56 patients responding to the discomfort survey in the 3-H group compared to 10 (26%) of the 38 in the 6-H survey respondents. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible and safe to ambulate patients 3 hours after diagnostic angiography performed with a 4-F catheter with or without a 4-F sheath. Early ambulation of patients after angiography has the additional benefits of increasing patient satisfaction and resource utilization.

Results of iliac artery stent placement in patients younger than 50 years of age.

PURPOSE: To determine long-term outcome in patients 50 years of age or younger treated with iliac artery stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 412 patients who underwent iliac artery stent placement during a 62-month study period were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-two patients younger than age 50 (mean age = 45 y) at the time of stent placement were included in the study population. Presenting symptoms included claudication (47%), rest pain (17%), ulceration/tissue loss (31%), and blue toe syndrome (5%). Anatomic, hemodynamic, and clinical success rates of the stent placement procedure were assessed. Stent patency rates were calculated by life-table methods. RESULTS: Fifty-nine iliac lesions were treated with stents; 62% of patients underwent treatment of a single lesion whereas 38% had multiple lesions treated. Thirty-one percent were treated after a failed angioplasty procedure and 69% were treated with stent placement primarily. After stent placement, 34 patients (82%) experienced symptomatic relief, although eight of these patients (19%) underwent a planned ipsilateral infrainguinal bypass procedure during the same hospitalization. During follow-up, five patients (12%) required a bypass procedure as a result of stent failure and two patients (5%) required below-knee amputation. Seven patients (17%) required endovascular stent revision, with none requiring additional surgery. At 1, 2, and 3 years, the primary patency rates were 86%, 72%, and 65%, and the secondary patency rates were 90%, 88%, and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac stent placement successfully addresses the presenting symptoms of young patients with peripheral vascular disease and results in patency rates that are similar to those reported in a more general population. With appropriate postprocedural surveillance, restenosis can be addressed in many patients with use of endovascular techniques, limiting the need for surgical revision.

Prognostic markers in prostate cancer.

In this review, a series of relatively well-documented ancillary biomarkers and emerging molecular assays are evaluated for their relative ability to predict prognosis in prostate cancer. Prognostic factors that have achieved widespread use and classified as Category I by the College of American Pathologists Solid Tumor Prognostic Factor Consensus Conference are compared with newer tests that are beginning to be used in clinical practice (Category II) and emerging molecular-based assays that have yet to be widely validated in the published literature or clinical trials (Category III).

Morphologic and molecular prognostic markers in prostate cancer.

In this review, a series of traditional morphology-based measurements, relatively well-documented ancillary biomarkers, and emerging molecular assays are evaluated for their relative ability to predict prognosis in prostate cancer. Prognostic factors that have achieved widespread use and are classified as category I by the College of American Pathologists' Solid Tumor Prognostic Factor Consensus Conference are compared with newer tests that are beginning to be used in clinical practice (category II) and emerging molecular-based assays that have yet to be widely validated in the published literature or in clinical trials (category III).