Incidence of thrombotic events and complications associated to inferior vena cava filters in patients with and without anticoagulation therapy.

Objective: Anticoagulation is the primary management to prevent venous thromboembolism; inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) provide a mechanical prophylactic alternative when anticoagulation is contraindicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in IVCF patients, whether the initiation of anticoagulation therapy is associated with decreased rates of recurrent thrombotic events and device-related complications. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients that underwent insertion of IVCF. Subjects with IVCF were studied in two groups: those initiated on anticoagulation (A) and without anticoagulation (NA). Variables as indications for IVCF, anticoagulation, recurrence of thrombosis, complications, and reinterventions were examined. Results: From April 2007 to March 2014, 54 patients underwent IVCF placement; (61% of females), with mean age of 54 years (standard deviation ± 19). 28 (52%) were initiated on anticoagulation, during a mean follow-up period of 28 months, five experienced recurrent thrombosis and three were on the A group (p=0.5); when comparing patients that developed post-thrombotic syndrome, seven were in the A group and seven in the NA. Two patients with IVC rupture were in the A group (p=0.5), and the only case of IVCF migration occurred in the A group. 11 (20%) patients died from comorbidities nonrelated to the device or procedure (four in the A cohort). Conclusions: Patients with IVCF on anticoagulation have equivalent rates of thrombotic events and device-related complications than those patients NA.

Objetivo: La anticoagulación es la terapia de elección para la prevención de tromboembolismo venoso; los filtros de vena cava inferior (FVCI) proveen una alternativa mecánica profiláctica cuando la anticoagulación está contraindicada. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la terapia anticoagulante se asocia con una tasa menor de eventos trombóticos recurrentes y complicaciones relacionadas con el dispositivo. Métodos: Los pacientes fueron categorizados en dos grupos: Aquellos a los que se les inicio anticoagulación (A) y aquellos que no (NA). Variables tales como indicación de la colocación del filtro, anticoagulación, recurrencia de trombosis y complicaciones fueron examinadas. Resultados: De abril de 2007 a marzo 2014, a 54 pacientes se les coloco un filtro (61% fueron mujeres), con una media de edad de 54 años [Desviación estándar (DE) ±19. Veintiocho (52%) fueron iniciados en anticoagulación y durante un seguimiento de 28 meses, 5 pacientes experimentaron recurrencia de trombosis, 3 en el grupo A (p=0.5). Al comparar los pacientes que desarrollaron síndrome posflebítico, 7 pertenecieron al grupo A y 7 al grupo NA. Dos pacientes con ruptura de vena cava pertenecieron al grupo A (p=0.5) y el único caso de migración del dispositivo ocurrió en el grupo A. Once (20%) pacientes fallecieron debido a comorbilidades no relacionadas con el dispositivo o el procedimiento. Conclusión: Pacientes con FVCI en anticoagulación tienen tasas de eventos trombóticos y complicaciones asociadas a los dispositivos equivalentes a aquellos pacientes sin anticoagulación.

Incidence of thrombotic events and complications associated to inferior vena cava filters in patients with and without anticoagulation therapy / Incidencia de eventos trombóticos y complicaciones asociadas al uso de filtros de vena cava en pacientes en pacientes con o sin terapia anticoagulante

Abstract Objective: Anticoagulation is the primary management to prevent venous thromboembolism; inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) provide a mechanical prophylactic alternative when anticoagulation is contraindicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in IVCF patients, whether the initiation of anticoagulation therapy is associated with decreased rates of recurrent thrombotic events and device-related complications. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients that underwent insertion of IVCF. Subjects with IVCF were studied in two groups: those initiated on anticoagulation (A) and without anticoagulation (NA). Variables as indications for IVCF, anticoagulation, recurrence of thrombosis, complications, and reinterventions were examined. Results: From April 2007 to March 2014, 54 patients underwent IVCF placement; (61% of females), with mean age of 54 years (standard deviation ± 19). 28 (52%) were initiated on anticoagulation, during a mean follow-up period of 28 months, five experienced recurrent thrombosis and three were on the A group (p=0.5); when comparing patients that developed post-thrombotic syndrome, seven were in the A group and seven in the NA. Two patients with IVC rupture were in the A group (p=0.5), and the only case of IVCF migration occurred in the A group. 11 (20%) patients died from comorbidities nonrelated to the device or procedure (four in the A cohort). Conclusions: Patients with IVCF on anticoagulation have equivalent rates of thrombotic events and device-related complications than those patients NA.

Resumen Objetivo: La anticoagulación es la terapia de elección para la prevención de tromboembolismo venoso; los filtros de vena cava inferior (FVCI) proveen una alternativa mecánica profiláctica cuando la anticoagulación está contraindicada. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la terapia anticoagulante se asocia con una tasa menor de eventos trombóticos recurrentes y complicaciones relacionadas con el dispositivo. Métodos: Los pacientes fueron categorizados en dos grupos: Aquellos a los que se les inicio anticoagulación (A) y aquellos que no (NA). Variables tales como indicación de la colocación del filtro, anticoagulación, recurrencia de trombosis y complicaciones fueron examinadas. Resultados: De abril de 2007 a marzo 2014, a 54 pacientes se les coloco un filtro (61% fueron mujeres), con una media de edad de 54 años [Desviación estándar (DE) ±19. Veintiocho (52%) fueron iniciados en anticoagulación y durante un seguimiento de 28 meses, 5 pacientes experimentaron recurrencia de trombosis, 3 en el grupo A (p=0.5). Al comparar los pacientes que desarrollaron síndrome posflebítico, 7 pertenecieron al grupo A y 7 al grupo NA. Dos pacientes con ruptura de vena cava pertenecieron al grupo A (p=0.5) y el único caso de migración del dispositivo ocurrió en el grupo A. Once (20%) pacientes fallecieron debido a comorbilidades no relacionadas con el dispositivo o el procedimiento. Conclusión: Pacientes con FVCI en anticoagulación tienen tasas de eventos trombóticos y complicaciones asociadas a los dispositivos equivalentes a aquellos pacientes sin anticoagulación.

Incidence of thrombotic events and complications associated to inferior vena cava filters in patients with and without anticoagulation therapy.

Objective: Anticoagulation is the primary management to prevent venous thromboembolism; inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) provide a mechanical prophylactic alternative when anticoagulation is contraindicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in IVCF patients, whether the initiation of anticoagulation therapy is associated with decreased rates of recurrent thrombotic events and device-related complications. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients that underwent insertion of IVCF. Subjects with IVCF were studied in two groups: those initiated on anticoagulation (A) and without anticoagulation (NA). Variables as indications for IVCF, anticoagulation, recurrence of thrombosis, complications, and reinterventions were examined. Results: From April 2007 to March 2014, 54 patients underwent IVCF placement; (61% of females), with mean age of 54 years (standard deviation ± 19). 28 (52%) were initiated on anticoagulation, during a mean follow-up period of 28 months, five experienced recurrent thrombosis and three were on the A group (p=0.5); when comparing patients that developed post-thrombotic syndrome, seven were in the A group and seven in the NA. Two patients with IVC rupture were in the A group (p=0.5), and the only case of IVCF migration occurred in the A group. 11 (20%) patients died from comorbidities nonrelated to the device or procedure (four in the A cohort). Conclusions: Patients with IVCF on anticoagulation have equivalent rates of thrombotic events and device-related complications than those patients NA.

Objetivo: La anticoagulación es la terapia de elección para la prevención de tromboembolismo venoso; los filtros de vena cava inferior (FVCI) proveen una alternativa mecánica profiláctica cuando la anticoagulación está contraindicada. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la terapia anticoagulante se asocia con una tasa menor de eventos trombóticos recurrentes y complicaciones relacionadas con el dispositivo. Métodos: Los pacientes fueron categorizados en dos grupos: Aquellos a los que se les inicio anticoagulación (A) y aquellos que no (NA). Variables tales como indicación de la colocación del filtro, anticoagulación, recurrencia de trombosis y complicaciones fueron examinadas. Resultados: De abril de 2007 a marzo 2014, a 54 pacientes se les coloco un filtro (61% fueron mujeres), con una media de edad de 54 años [Desviación estándar (DE) ± 19. Veintiocho (52%) fueron iniciados en anticoagulación y durante un seguimiento de 28 meses, 5 pacientes experimentaron recurrencia de trombosis, 3 en el grupo A (p=0.5). Al comparar los pacientes que desarrollaron síndrome posflebítico, 7 pertenecieron al grupo A y 7 al grupo NA. Dos pacientes con ruptura de vena cava pertenecieron al grupo A (p=0.5) y el único caso de migración del dispositivo ocurrió en el grupo A. Once (20%) pacientes fallecieron debido a comorbilidades no relacionadas con el dispositivo o el procedimiento. Conclusión: Pacientes con FVCI en anticoagulación tienen tasas de eventos trombóticos y complicaciones asociadas a los dispositivos equivalentes a aquellos pacientes sin anticoagulación.

Early cannulation graft Flixene™ for conventional and complex hemodialysis access creation.

PURPOSE: The Flixene™ (Atrium™, Hudson, NH) is a trilaminate composite polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft that allows access within 72 hours. We evaluate our initial experience with this device for conventional and complex hemodialysis access creation. METHODS: Retrospective review in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent access creation with Flixene from January 2013 to July 2014. For our analysis, the patients were divided in two groups: those with complex access configurations tunneled in the chest and/or abdominal wall (thoraco-abdominal wall access [TAWA]), and those tunneled in conventional sites (extremity access [EA]). Patient's demographics, indications, complications, reinterventions, patency rates and factors influencing outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: In 19 patients (54% men; mean age 44 years ± 18), 24 grafts were implanted, (13 EA [54%] vs. 11 TAWA), all patent after surgery. Central venous occlusive disease (CVOD) was present in all patients with TAWA and in 7/13 (54%) EA patients (p = 0.016). Early cannulation (within 72 hours) was successful in 12 EA and 5 TAWA grafts (p = 0.044). Complication rates including infection, thrombosis, bleeding and steal syndrome were 8/11 (73%) in TAWA and 5/13 (38%) in EA (p = 0.02). At 12 months, primary patency rates for EA and TAWA were 25% and 41%; secondary patency rates were 55% and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early cannulation (EC) grafts are viable alternatives for conventional and complex access creation that allowed early cannulation (<72 hours) in 17 (70%) of our cases. Primary and secondary patency rates at 12 months were equivalent to data reported on ePTFE grafts.

Axillo-iliac arteriovenous hemodialysis graft creation with an early cannulation device.

Exhaustion of superficial veins coupled with the presence of intrathoracic central venous occlusions remains a significant obstacle for hemodialysis access creation; complex arteriovenous graft (AVG) configurations have been described. The axillary-iliac AVG was first reported in 1987, and few authors have explored this access. We evaluated our experience with this AVG configuration utilizing the early cannulation (EC) graft Flixene™ (Atrium ™, Hudson, NH, USA). Eight patients (75 % men; mean age 37 ± 10 years) with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) underwent axillo-iliac AVG creation with Flixene™ grafts; all had exhausted peripheral veins, occluded thoracic central veins, and inadequate femoral veins. Inflow from the axillary artery and outflow in iliocaval system was assessed prior to access creation. An axillary-to-common iliac AVG was constructed using a 6 mm (mm) EC graft and tunneled in the chest and abdominal wall. Eight grafts were implanted; all were patent after placement. Seven (88 %) were successfully used for hemodialysis within 72 h and one (12 %) within 96. During the mean follow-up of 6 months, 5 (62 %) patients underwent thrombectomy, 1 (12 %) of them had balloon angioplasty at the vein anastomosis, and 2 (25 %) grafts were removed secondary to infection. The remaining grafts are still functioning. Complications as high-output heart failure, steal syndrome and venous hypertension were not observed. Construction of axillo-iliac AVG with EC grafts in the setting of exhausted veins, occluded intrathoracic central veins and hostile groins, is a viable arteriovenous access alternative while avoiding central venous catheters.

Total Abdominal Wall Reconstruction with Component Separation, Reinforcement, and Vertical Abdominoplasty in Patients with Complex Ventral Hernias.

UNLABELLED: Large complex ventral hernias act as tissue expanders for skin and subcutaneous fat. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of total abdominal wall reconstruction with component separation, posterior reinforcement, and vertical abdominoplasty in patients with large complex ventral hernias. Between 2010 and 2014, 58 patients underwent total abdominal wall reconstruction with component separation, intra-abdominal reinforcement, and vertical abdominoplasty. Between 2010 and 2012, patients underwent the conventional technique of component separation, while a perforator-preserving technique was performed during 2013 and 2014. Reinforcement material used was either synthetic mesh in clean cases or biologic mesh if contamination was present. All of the excessive skin and subcutaneous fat was removed in a vertical fashion. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney's U test or Fisher's exact test, as indicated. There were 27 moderately complex and 31 majorly complex hernias. Mean hernia size was 16 × 12 cm. The mean size of the removed skin island was 21 × 12 cm. Patients with contamination during the repair had longer in-hospital stays. Overall the local wound complication rate was 24 %, and was lower with the perforator-preserving technique compared to the conventional technique of component separation (11 vs. 48 %; OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.5; p = 0.003). The overall postoperative morbidity rate was higher in the presence of contamination, and in patients with lower preoperative serum albumin levels. Mean total follow-up was 14 months with a 1-year recurrence-free survival of 96 %. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .