Early Cannulation of Bovine Carotid Artery Graft Reduces Tunneled Dialysis Catheter-Related Complications: A Comparison of Bovine Carotid Artery Graft Versus Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts in Hemodialysis Access.

INTRODUCTION:: In patients who receive chronic hemodialysis but do not have autogenous venous conduit for a native dialysis access, nonautologous grafts serve as an alternative conduit of choice. This study compared the clinical outcome of hemodialysis access using bovine carotid artery graft (BCAG) and prosthetic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft in patients who receive chronic hemodialysis. METHODS:: An analysis of all patients undergoing hemodialysis using either BCAG or PTFE grafts from 2010 to 2017 was performed. Clinical outcomes were analyzed including graft patency as well as associated complications related to dialysis grafts and tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC). RESULTS:: During the study period, 142 patients received BCAG and 128 patients received PTFE graft implantation for dialysis access. The mean duration from graft implantation to graft cannulation in the BCAG and PTFE group was 12.3 ± 8.5 days versus 43.5 ± 16.4, respectively ( P = .01). Bovine carotid artery graft group had a higher 2-year primary patency rate (33% vs 14%, P = .03) and assisted primary rate (57% vs 23%, P = .02) compared to the PTFE group. The 2-year secondary patency rates were similar between the 2 groups (56% vs 53%, P = .69). Complication rates in the BCAG and PTFE group was 1.69 ± 0.24 per patient-year versus 2.54 ± 0.48 per patient-year, respectively ( P = .01). Tunneled dialysis catheter-related infection was greater in the PTFE group compared to the BCAG group (10.87 ± 2.61 vs 5.69 ± 0.98 per 1000 TDC days; P = .02). Bovine carotid artery graft cohorts group required a mean of 1.69 interventions per patient-year, compared to 2.76 per patient-year for the PTFE group ( P = .03). CONCLUSIONS:: Bovine carotid artery graft permits earlier cannulation for hemodialysis access with superior primary and assisted primary patency rates compared to PTFE grafts. Patients with BCAG experienced shorter indwelling TDC duration and less TDC-related complications compared to PTFE cohorts.

A Prospective Evaluation of Duplex Ultrasound for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in High-Performance Musicians Playing Bowed String Instruments

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a neurovascular condition involving the upper extremity, which is known to occur in individuals who perform chronic repetitive upper extremity activities. We prospectively evaluate the incidence of TOS in high-performance musicians who played bowed string musicians. Sixty-four high-performance string instrument musicians from orchestras and professional musical bands were included in the study. Fifty-two healthy volunteers formed an age-matched control group. Bilateral upper extremity duplex scanning for subclavian vessel compression was performed in all subjects. Provocative maneuvers including Elevated Arm Stress Test (EAST) and Upper Limb Tension Test (ULTT) were performed. Abnormal ultrasound finding is defined by greater than 50% subclavian vessel compression with arm abduction, diminished venous waveforms, or arterial photoplethysmography (PPG) tracing with arm abduction. Bowed string instruments performed by musicians in our study included violin (41%), viola (33%), and cello (27%). Positive EAST or ULTT test in the musician group and control group were 44%, and 3%, respectively (p = 0.03). Abnormal ultrasound scan with vascular compression was detected in 69% of musicians, in contrast to 15% of control subjects (p = 0.03). TOS is a common phenomenon among high-performance bowed string instrumentalists. Musicians who perform bowed string instruments should be aware of this condition and its associated musculoskeletal symptoms.

Thromboembolic Risk of Endovascular Intervention for Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the risk of thromboembolism during endovascular interventions in patients with symptomatic lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) METHODS: Clinical records of all patients who underwent endovascular interventions for symptomatic lower extremity DVT from 2001 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed using a prospectively maintained database. Only patients who received an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter were included in the analysis. Trapped intrafilter thrombus was assessed for procedure-related thromboembolism. Clinical outcomes of thrombus management and thromboembolism risk were analyzed. RESULTS: A total 172 patients (mean age 57.4 years, 98 females) who underwent 174 endovascular DVT interventions were included in the analysis. Treatment strategies included thrombolytic therapy (64%), mechanical thrombectomy (n = 86%), pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (51%), balloon angioplasty (98%), and stent placement (28%). Thrombectomy device used included AngioJet (56%), Trellis (19%), and Aspire (11%). Trapped IVC filter thrombus was identified in 58 patients (38%) based on the IVC venogram. No patient developed clinically evident pulmonary embolism (PE). IVC filter retrieval was performed in 98 patients (56%, mean 11.8 months after implantation). Multivariate analysis showed that iliac vein occlusion (P = 0.04) was predictive for procedure-related thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac vein thrombotic occlusion is associated with an increased thromboembolic risk in DVT intervention. Retrievable IVC filter should be considered when performing percutaneous thrombectomy in patients with iliac venous occlusion to prevent PE.

Echocardiographic assessment with right ventricular function improvement following ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy in submassive pulmonary embolism.

Introduction The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism. Methods Clinical records of 46 patients with submassive pulmonary embolism who underwent ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed pulmonary thrombolysis using tissue plasminogen activator, from 2007 to 2017, were analyzed. All patients experienced clinical symptoms with computed tomography evidence of pulmonary thrombus burden. Right ventricular dysfunction was present in all patients by echocardiographic finding of right ventricle-to-left ventricle ratio > 0.9. Treatment outcome, procedural complications, right ventricular pressures, and thrombus clearance were evaluated. Follow-up evaluation included echocardiographic assessment of right ventricle-to-left ventricle ratio at one month, six months, and one year. Results Technical success was achieved in all patients ( n = 46, 100%). Our patients received an average of 18.4 ± 4.7 mg of tissue plasminogen activator using ultrasound-accelerated thrombolytic catheter with an average infusion time of 16.5± 5.4 h. Clinical success was achieved in all patients (100%). Significant reduction of mean pulmonary artery pressure occurred following the treatment, which decreased from 36 ± 8 to 21 ± 5 mmHg ( p < 0.001). There were no major bleeding complications. All-cause mortality at 30 days was 0%. No patient developed recurrent pulmonary embolism during follow-up. During the follow-up period, 43 patients (93%) showed improvement of right ventricular dysfunction based on echocardiographic assessment. The right ventricle-to-left ventricle ratio decreased from 1.32 ± 0.18 to 0.91 ± 0.13 at the time of hospital discharge ( p < 0.01). The right ventricular function remained improved at 6 months and 12 months of follow-up, as right ventricle-to-left ventricle ratio were 0.92 ± 0.14 ( p < 0.01) and 0.91 ± 0.15 ( p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion Ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis is a safe and efficacious treatment for submassive pulmonary embolism. It reduces pulmonary hypertension and improves right ventricular function in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism.

Lower Extremity Bypass Using Bovine Carotid Artery Graft (Artegraft): An Analysis of 124 Cases with Long-Term Results.

INTRODUCTION: Although biological grafts have been utilized as a vascular conduit in leg bypass for many years, reports of a bovine carotid artery graft (BCAG) in lower extremity revascularization have been scarce. This study analyzed the outcome of lower leg bypass using BCAG. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing lower extremity bypass using BCAG from 2002 to 2017 was performed. Clinical outcomes including graft patency and limb salvage were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 124 BCAG (Artegraft, North Brunswick, NJ) were implanted in 120 patients for lower extremity revascularization. Surgical indications included disabling claudication in 12%, rest pain in 36%, tissue loss in 48%, and infected prosthetic graft replacement in 3%. Autologous saphenous vein was either inadequate or absent in 72% of patients. BCAG was used in 46 patients (37%) who had a prior failed ipsilateral leg bypass. Distal anastomosis was performed in the above-knee popliteal artery, below-knee popliteal artery, and tibial artery in 30 cases (25%), 32 cases (26%), and 48 cases (39%), respectively. Distal anastomotic patch was created in all tibial artery to allow BCAG-tibial reconstruction. The yearly primary patency rates in 5 years were 86.5, 76.4, 72.2, 68.3, and 67.5%, respectively. The corresponding yearly secondary patency rates were 88.5, 84.7, 82.4, 78.5, and 75.6%, respectively. The limb salvage rate at one year was 83.6% and at five years was 86.2% for patients with critical limb ischemia. Multivariate analysis showed poor runoff score (P = 0.03, 95% CI, 1.3-5.3; OR, 1.6) was independently associated with graft occlusion. CONCLUSION: BCAG is an excellent vascular conduit and provides good long-term results in lower extremity bypass.

Comparison of propaten heparin-bonded vascular graft with distal anastomotic patch versus autogenous saphenous vein graft in tibial artery bypass.

Introduction Heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts (Propaten, WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) have been shown to have superior patency compared to standard prosthetic grafts in leg bypass. This study analyzed the outcomes of Propaten grafts with distal anastomotic patch versus autogenous saphenous vein grafts in tibial artery bypass. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospective collected data was performed during a recent 15-year period. Sixty-two Propaten bypass grafts with distal anastomotic patch (Propaten group) were compared with 46 saphenous vein graft (vein group). Pertinent clinical variables including graft patency and limb salvage were analyzed. Results Both groups had similar clinical risk factors, bypass indications, and target vessel for tibial artery anastomoses. Decreased trends of operative time (196 ± 34 min vs. 287 ± 65 min, p = 0.07) and length of hospital stay (5.2 ± 2.3 days vs. 7.5 ± 3.6, p = 0.08) were noted in the Propaten group compared to the vein group. Similar primary patency rates were noted at four years between the Propaten and vein groups (85%, 71%, 64%, and 57%, vs. 87%, 78%, 67%, and 61% respectively; p = 0.97). Both groups had comparable secondary patency rates yearly in four years (the Propaten group: 84%, 76%, 74%, and 67%, respectively; the vein group: 88%, 79%, 76%, and 72%, respectively; p = 0.94). The limb salvage rates were equivalent between the Propaten and vein group at four years (84% vs. 92%, p = 0.89). Multivariate analysis showed active tobacco usage and poor run-off score as predictors for graft occlusion. Conclusions Propaten grafts with distal anastomotic patch have similar clinical outcomes compared to the saphenous vein graft in tibial artery bypass. Our data support the use of Propaten graft with distal anastomotic patch as a viable conduit of choice in patients undergoing tibial artery bypass.