Radiation-Free Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair with Fiberoptic and Electromagnetic Guidance: A Phantom Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a radiation-free implantation of a thoracic aortic stent graft employing fiberoptic and electromagnetic tracking in an anthropomorphic phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anthropomorphic phantom was manufactured based on computed tomography (CT) angiography data from a patient. An aortic stent graft application system was equipped with a fiber Bragg gratings and 3 electromagnetic sensors. The stent graft was navigated in the phantom by 3 interventionalists using the tracking data generated by both technologies. One implantation procedure was performed. The technical success of the procedure was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography and CT angiography (before and after the intervention). Tracking accuracy was determined at various anatomical landmarks based on separately acquired fluoroscopic images. The mean/maximum errors were measured for the stent graft application system and the tip/end of the stent graft. RESULTS: The procedure resulted in technical success with a mean error below 3 mm for the entire application system and <2 mm for the position of the tip of the stent graft. Navigation/implantation and handling of the device were rated sufficiently accurate and on par with comparable, routinely used stent graft application systems. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates successful stent graft implantation during a thoracic endovascular aortic repair procedure employing advanced guidance techniques and avoiding fluoroscopic imaging. This is an essential step in facilitating the implantation of stent grafts and reducing the health risks associated with ionizing radiation during endovascular procedures.

Retrograde Revascularization of Tibial Arteries in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: Plantar-Arch Versus Transpedal Approach.

PURPOSE: To compare retrograde plantar-arch and transpedal-access approach for revascularization of below-the-knee (BTK) arteries in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) after a failed antegrade approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively we identified 811 patients who underwent BTK revascularization between 1/2014 and 1/2020. In 115/811 patients (14.2%), antegrade revascularization of at least 1 tibial artery had failed. In 67/115 (58.3%), patients retrograde access to the target vessel was achieved via the femoral access and the plantar-arch (PLANTAR-group); and in 48/115 patients (41.7%) retrograde revascularization was performed by an additional retrograde puncture (TRANSPEDAL-group). Comorbidities, presence of calcification at pedal-plantar-loop/transpedal-access-site, and tibial-target-lesion was recorded. Endpoints were technical success (PLANTAR-group: crossing the plantar-arch; TRANSPEDAL-group: intravascular placement of the pedal access sheath), procedural success [residual stenosis <30% after plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA)], and procedural complications limb salvage and survival. Correlations between calcification at access site/tibial-target-lesion and technical/procedural-success were tested. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 50/67 (75%) patients of the PLANTAR-group and in 39/48 (81%) patients of the TRANSPEDAL-group (p=0.1). Procedural success was obtained in 23/67 (34%) patients of the PLANTAR-group and in 25/48 (52%) patients of the TRANSPEDAL-group (p=0.04). In 14/49 (29%) cases with calcification at the pedal-plantar loop, technical success was not achieved (p=0.04), and in 33/44 (75%) patients with calcification at the tibial-target-lesion, procedural success was not attained (PLANTAR-group) (p=0.026). In the TRANSPEDAL-group, correlations between calcification at access site/tibial-target-lesion and technical/procedural-success were not observed (p=0.2/p=0.4). In the PLANTAR-group, minor complications occurred in 13/67 (19%) and in the TRANSPEDAL-group in 4/48 patients (8%) (p=0.08). Limb salvage at 12 (18) months was 90% (82%) (PLANTAR-group; 95%CI 15.771-18.061) and 84% (76%) (TRANSPEDAL-group; 95%CI 14.475-17.823) (Log-rank p=0.46). Survival at 12 (18) months was 94% (86%) (PLANTAR-group; 95%CI 16.642-18.337) and 85% (77%) (TRANSPEDAL; 95%CI 14.296-17.621) (Log-rank p=0.098). CONCLUSION: Procedural success was significantly higher using the transpedal-access approach. Calcifications at pedal-plantar loop and target-lesion significantly influenced technical/procedural failure using the plantar-arch approach. No significant difference between both retrograde techniques in terms of feasibility, safety, and limb salvage/survival was found.

Automated segmentation and quantification of the healthy and diseased aorta in CT angiographies using a dedicated deep learning approach.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a deep learning-based algorithm for segmenting and quantifying the physiological and diseased aorta in computed tomography angiographies. METHODS: CTA exams of the aorta of 191 patients (68.1 ± 14 years, 128 male), performed between 2015 and 2018, were retrospectively identified from our imaging archive and manually segmented by two investigators. A 3D U-Net model was trained on the data, which was divided into a training, a validation, and a test group at a ratio of 7:1:2. Cases in the test group (n = 41) were evaluated to compare manual and automatic segmentations. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance (MSD), and Hausdorff surface distance (HSD) were extracted. Maximum diameter, effective diameter, and area were quantified and compared between both segmentations at eight anatomical landmarks, and at the maximum area of an aneurysms if present (n = 14). Statistics included error calculation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: A DSC of 0.95 [0.94; 0.95] and an MSD of 0.76 [0.06; 0.99] indicated close agreement between segmentations. HSD was 8.00 [4.47; 10.00]. The largest absolute errors were found in the ascending aorta with 0.8 ± 1.5 mm for maximum diameter and at the coeliac trunk with - 30.0 ± 81.6 mm2 for area. Results for absolute errors in aneurysms were - 0.5 ± 2.3 mm for maximum diameter, 0.3 ± 1.6 mm for effective diameter, and 64.9 ± 114.9 mm2 for area. ICC showed excellent agreement (> 0.9; p < 0.05) between quantitative measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Automated segmentation of the aorta on CTA data using a deep learning algorithm is feasible and allows for accurate quantification of the aortic lumen even if the vascular architecture is altered by disease. KEY POINTS: • A deep learning-based algorithm can automatically segment the aorta, mostly within acceptable margins of error, even if the vascular architecture is altered by disease. • Quantifications performed in the segmentations were mostly within clinically acceptable limits, even in pathologically altered segments of the aorta.

Mechanical rotational thrombectomy in long femoropopliteal artery and bypass occlusions: risk factors for periprocedural peripheral embolization.

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine lesion characteristics influencing technical outcome and periprocedural peripheral embolization (PPE) during percutaneous mechanical rotational thrombectomy (PMT) of long femoropopliteal artery and bypass occlusions. METHODS: Retrospectively, 65 consecutive patients (43 male patients, mean age 70±12 years; Rutherford category I-III), undergoing PMT (Rotarex®, Straub Medical AG) with acutely/subacutely occluded femoropopliteal arteries/bypasses were included. Occlusions (mean length, 217±98 mm) were treated by PMT followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) plus drug-coated balloon or PTA plus stenting/stentgrafting. Technical success was defined as residual stenosis <30%. Follow-up included duplex ultrasound and ankle-brachial index (ABI) after 12 months. Endpoints were technical success, complications, improvement of Rutherford category, ABI, and patency (re-stenosis <50%). The influence of lesion length, duration, and thrombus density (measured in preinterventional computed tomography angiography) on technical success and PPE was analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success was 18% (12/65) after PMT alone, 92% (60/65) after additional means. Four patients (6%) underwent bypass surgery and one patient (2%) amputation. PPE occurred in 11% (7/65). During the 12-month follow-up, three patients (5%) were lost to follow-up. ABI increased from baseline 0.5±0.12 to 0.81±0.14 (p = 0.001) and Rutherford category increased by at least one level in 57 patients at 12-month follow-up (clinical success, 88%). At 12 months, primary patency was 57.4% (95% CI, 45.8%-68.9%) and secondary patency was 75.0% (95% CI, 59.8%-72.3%). As risk factors for PPE, we identified lesion length >200 mm (15%; 6/39; OR 4.5; 95% CI, 0.5-40; p = 0.014) and thrombus density ≤45 HU (20%; 2/10; OR 3.0; 95% CI, 0.2-38.9; p = 0.05). No significant relation between risk factors and technical success was found. CONCLUSION: PMT followed by PTA or implantation of stent (grafts) appears to be effective and safe for revascularization of acute/subacute long occlusions. Thrombus density <45 HU and lesion length above 20 cm represent risk factors for PPE during PMT.

Post-dilatation of an interwoven nitinol stent using a paclitaxel-coated balloon for revascularization of complex femoro-popliteal lesions.

To evaluate technical success, safety and efficacy of post-dilatation of an interwoven nitinol stent using a paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) for revascularization of complex femoro-popliteal lesions. Thirty patients (26 male, mean age 70 ± 7 years) suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD) (Rutherford category II-III) underwent revascularization of chronic total occlusions (n = 22, 73%) or severe stenosis (n = 8, 27%) of the femoro-popliteal segment. Mean lesion length was 251 ± 85 mm. Lesions were treated by pre-dilatation (POBA), implantation of a helical interwoven stent and post-dilatation with a PCB. Technical success was defined as residual stenosis < 30%. Follow-up included clinical visits, duplex ultrasound and ABI at 6 and 12 months. Endpoints were patency (re-stenosis < 50%), complications, improvement of Rutherford category and ABI. Regarding patency two sub-groups were compared: long-("LL"; < 25 cm, n = 12, mean 175 ± 38 mm) and ultra-long lesions ("ULL"; ≥ 25 cm, n = 13, mean 322 ± 43 mm). Technical success was 100%. In 1/30 patients (3.3%), a minor complication occurred (embolism). The overall primary and secondary patency rates at 12 months were 80.0% (95% CI 72.5-96.9%) and 92.0% (95% CI 84.7-100%). In the LL-sub-group, primary patency was 100%, and in the ULL-sub-group, primary patency was 61.5% (95% CI 51.8-92.3%) (p = 0.056), and secondary patency 84.6% (95% CI 71.3-100%), respectively. Rutherford category increased by at least one category in 92% of patients, ABI increased from 0.52 ± 0.13 (baseline) to 0.9 ± 0.14 (12 months) (p = 0.001). Five patients underwent target lesion revascularization during follow-up (bypass: n = 1, endovascular: n = 4). No death was observed during follow-up. Post-dilatation of an interwoven nitinol stent using a paclitaxel-coated-balloon proved to be safe and effective with promising outcomes in long- and ultra-long lesions up to 12 months of follow-up.

Comparison of the Revenue Situation in Interventional Radiology Based on the Example of Peripheral Artery Disease in the Case of a DRG Payment System and Various Internal Treatment Charges.

PURPOSE: Calculation of process-orientated costs for inpatient endovascular treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) from an interventional radiology (IR) perspective. Comparison of revenue situations in consideration of different ways to calculate internal treatment charges (ITCs) and diagnosis-related groups (DRG) for an independent IR department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Costs (personnel, operating, material, and indirect costs) for endovascular treatment of PAD patients in an inpatient setting were calculated on a full cost basis. These costs were compared to the revenue situation for IR for five different scenarios: 1) IR receives the total DRG amount. IR receives the following DRG shares using ITCs based on InEK shares for 2) "Radiology" cost center type, 3) "OP" cost center type, 4) "Radiology" and "OP" cost center type, and 5) based on DKG-NT (scale of charges of the German Hospital Society). RESULTS: 78 patients (mean age: 68.6 ±â€Š11.4y) with the following DRGs were evaluated: F59A (n = 6), F59B (n = 14), F59C (n = 20) and F59 D (n = 38). The length of stay for these DRG groups was 15.8 ±â€Š12.1, 9.4 ±â€Š7.8, 2.8 ±â€Š3.7 and 3.4 ±â€Š6.5 days Material costs represented the bulk of all costs, especially if new and complex endovascular procedures were performed. Revenues for neither InEK shares nor ITCs based on DKG-NT were high enough to cover material costs. Contribution margins for the five scenarios were 1 = €â€Š1,539.29, 2 = €â€Š-1,775.31, 3 = €â€Š-2,579.41, 4 = €â€Š-963.43, 5 = €â€Š-2,687.22 in F59A, 1 = €â€Š-792.67, 2 = €â€Š-2,685.00, 3 = €â€Š-2,600.81, 4 = €â€Š-1,618.94, 5 = €â€Š-3,060.03 in F59B, 1 = €â€Š-879.87, 2 = €â€Š-2,633.14, 3 = €â€Š-3,001.07, 4 = €â€Š-1,952.33, 5 = €â€Š-3,136.24 in F59C and 1 = €â€Š703.65, 2 = €â€Š-106.35, 3 = €â€Š-773.86, 4 = €â€Š205.14, 5 = €â€Š-647.22 in F59 D. InEK shares return on average €â€Š150 - 500 more than ITCs based on the DKG-NT catalog. CONCLUSION: In this study positive contribution margins were seen only if IR receives the complete DRG amount. InEK shares do not cover incurred costs, with material costs representing the main part of treatment costs. Internal treatment charges based on the DKG-NT catalog provide the worst cost coverage. KEY POINTS: · Internal treatment charges based on the DKG-NT catalog provide the worst cost coverage for interventional radiology at our university hospital.. · Shares from the InEK matrix such as the cost center "radiology" or "OP" as revenue for IR are not sufficient to cover incurred costs. A positive contribution margin is achieved only in the case of a compensation method in which IR receives the total DRG amount.. CITATION FORMAT: · Vogt FM, Hunold P, Haegele J et al. Comparison of the Revenue Situation in Interventional Radiology Based on the Example of Peripheral Artery Disease in the Case of a DRG Payment System and Various Internal Treatment Charges. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 190: 348 - 357.

Initial Experience with the E-liac® Iliac Branch Device for the Endovascular Aortic Repair of Aorto-iliac Aneurysm.

PURPOSE: Occlusion of internal iliac arteries during endovascular treatment (EVAR) of abdominal aortic (AAA) and common iliac artery aneurysms might be associated with ischemic pelvic complications. This study evaluates technical and clinical success, safety and mid-term results of a novel iliac branch device (IBD) for revascularization of the internal iliac artery (IIA) during EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we identified 21 men (mean age 73.3 ± 6.2 years) treated for aorto-iliac aneurysms by use of a novel IBD (E-liac®, Jotec Hechingen, Germany). We analyzed safety (30-day survival), technical (no type I and III endoleaks, "EL"), clinical (no ischemic complications) success, mid-term patency of this IBD, peri-procedural complications, occurrence of type II ELs, rate of re-interventions and additional treatment of the revascularized IIA for landing zone preparation. RESULTS: Twenty-three IBDs were implanted. Aneurysms of the ipsilateral IIA were present in 6/23 IIAs (26.1%). Super-selective branch embolization was performed in these patients and the landing zone for the iliac sidebranch stent-graft was within the superior gluteal artery. Mean follow-up was 341 days (range 4-1103 days). Technical success and 30-day survival were 100%. Clinical success was 95.2%. Primary patency of the IBDs was 100% at 12 months. Peri-procedural complications occurred in 3/21 patients (14.3%), none of them related to the IBD. AAA-related type II ELs were found in 6 patients (28.6%), IBD-related ELs in 4/23 IBDs (17.4%) (two type Ib, two type II endoleaks). Overall re-intervention rate was 23.8%, IBD-related 8.7%. CONCLUSION: Utilization of the E-liac® IBD is safe and effective for the treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms.

Navigation and visualisation with HoloLens in endovascular aortic repair.

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is a minimal-invasive technique that prevents life-threatening rupture in patients with aortic pathologies by implantation of an endoluminal stent graft. During the endovascular procedure, device navigation is currently performed by fluoroscopy in combination with digital subtraction angiography. This study presents the current iterative process of biomedical engineering within the disruptive interdisciplinary project Nav EVAR, which includes advanced navigation, image techniques and augmented reality with the aim of reducing side effects (namely radiation exposure and contrast agent administration) and optimising visualisation during EVAR procedures. This article describes the current prototype developed in this project and the experiments conducted to evaluate it. METHODS: The current approach of the Nav EVAR project is guiding EVAR interventions in real-time with an electromagnetic tracking system after attaching a sensor on the catheter tip and displaying this information on Microsoft HoloLens glasses. This augmented reality technology enables the visualisation of virtual objects superimposed on the real environment. These virtual objects include three-dimensional (3D) objects (namely 3D models of the skin and vascular structures) and two-dimensional (2D) objects [namely orthogonal views of computed tomography (CT) angiograms, 2D images of 3D vascular models, and 2D images of a new virtual angioscopy whose appearance of the vessel wall follows that shown in ex vivo and in vivo angioscopies]. Specific external markers were designed to be used as landmarks in the registration process to map the tracking data and radiological data into a common space. In addition, the use of real-time 3D ultrasound (US) is also under evaluation in the Nav EVAR project for guiding endovascular tools and updating navigation with intraoperative imaging. US volumes are streamed from the US system to HoloLens and visualised at a certain distance from the probe by tracking augmented reality markers. A human model torso that includes a 3D printed patient-specific aortic model was built to provide a realistic test environment for evaluation of technical components in the Nav EVAR project. The solutions presented in this study were tested by using an US training model and the aortic-aneurysm phantom. RESULTS: During the navigation of the catheter tip in the US training model, the 3D models of the phantom surface and vessels were visualised on HoloLens. In addition, a virtual angioscopy was also built from a CT scan of the aortic-aneurysm phantom. The external markers designed for this study were visible in the CT scan and the electromagnetically tracked pointer fitted in each marker hole. US volumes of the US training model were sent from the US system to HoloLens in order to display them, showing a latency of 259±86 ms (mean±standard deviation). CONCLUSION: The Nav EVAR project tackles the problem of radiation exposure and contrast agent administration during EVAR interventions by using a multidisciplinary approach to guide the endovascular tools. Its current state presents several limitations such as the rigid alignment between preoperative data and the simulated patient. Nevertheless, the techniques shown in this study in combination with fibre Bragg gratings and optical coherence tomography are a promising approach to overcome the problems of EVAR interventions.

Accuracy of pre-interventional computed tomography angiography post-processing software and extravascularly calibrated devices to determine vessel diameters: comparison with an intravascularly located calibrated catheter.

Background Accurate vessel sizing might affect treatment outcome of endovascular therapy. Purpose To compare accuracy of peripheral vessel diameter measurements using pre-interventional computed tomography angiography post processing software (CTA-PPS) and extravascularly located calibrated devices used during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with an intravascular scaled catheter (SC). Material and Methods In 33 patients (28 men, mean age = 72 ± 11 years) a SC was used during DSA of the femoro-popliteal territory. Simultaneously, one scaled radiopaque tape (SRT) was affixed to the lateral thigh, one scaled radiopaque ruler (SRR) was positioned on the angiography table. For each patient, diameters of five anatomic landmarks were measured on DSA images after calibration using different scaled devices and CTA-PPS. Diameters were compared to SC (reference) and between groups of non-obese (NOB) and obese (OB) patients. Results In total, 660 measurements were performed. Compared to the reference, SRT overestimated the diameter by 1.2% (range = -10-12, standard deviation [SD] = 4.1%, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.992, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.989-0.992, P = 0.01), the SRR and CTA-PPS underestimated it by 21.3% (range = 1-47, SD = 9.4%, ICC = 0.864, 95% CI = 0.11-0.963, P = 0.08) and 3.2% (range = 17-38, SD = 9.7%, ICC = 0.976, 95% CI = 0.964-0.983, P = 0.01), respectively. Underestimation using the SRR was greatest in the proximal superficial-femoral artery (31%) and lowest at the P2 level of the popliteal artery (15%). In the NOB group, diameter overestimation of the SRT was 0.8% (range = 4-7, SD = 4.2%, B = 0.071, 95% CI = 0.293-0.435, P = 0.08) compared to the OB group of 1.6% (range = -7-4, SD = 2.9%, B = 0.010, 95% CI = 0.474-0.454, P = 0.96). Diameter underestimation of the SRR was 17.3% (range = 13-21, SD = 3.1%, B = 0.946, 95% CI = 0.486-1.405, P = 0.002) in the NOB group, 23.3% (range = 11-36, SD = 6.6%, B = 0.870, 95% CI = 0.268-1.472, P = 0.007) in the OB group. Conclusion For calibrated measurements SRT and CTA-PPS prove accurate compared to the reference, while SRR does not. Obesity has a significant impact on underestimation of diameter if SRR is used.

Reliability of the pronator quadratus fat pad sign to predict the severity of distal radius fractures.

AIM: To evaluate the reliability of pronator quadratus fat pad sign to detect distal radius fracture and to predict its severity. METHODS: Retrospectively we identified 89 consecutive patients (41 female, mean age 49 ± 18 years) who had X-ray (CR) and computed tomography (CT) within 24 h following distal forearm trauma. Thickness of pronator quadratus fat pad complex (PQC) was measured using lateral views (CR) and sagittal reconstructions (CT). Pearson's test was used to determine the correlation of the PQC thickness in CR and CT. A positive pronator quadratus sign (PQS) was defined as a PQC > 8.0 mm (female) or > 9.0 mm (male). Frykman classification was utilized to assess the severity of fractures. RESULTS: Forty-four/89 patients (49%) had a distal radius fracture (Frykman I n = 3, II n = 0, III n = 10, IV n = 5, V n = 2, VI n = 2, VII n = 9, VIII n = 13). Mean thickness of the PQC thickness can reliably be measured on X-ray views and was 7.5 ± 2.8 mm in lateral views (CR), respectively 9.4 ± 3.0 mm in sagittal reconstructions (CT), resulting in a significant correlation coefficient of 0.795. A positive PQS at CR was present in 21/44 patients (48%) with distal radius fracture and in 2/45 patients (4%) without distal radius fracture, resulting in a specificity of 96% and a sensitivity of 48% for the detection of distal radius fractures. There was no correlation between thickness of the PQC and severity of distal radius fractures. CONCLUSION: A positive PQS shows high specificity but low sensitivity for detection of distal radius fractures. The PQC thickness cannot predict the severity of distal radius fractures.

Simultaneous Antegrade-Retrograde Subintimal Revascularization of a Femoropopliteal Chronic Total Occlusion by a Reentry Device-Facilitated Puncture of a Retrogradely Inserted Balloon.

PURPOSE: To report a rendezvous technique for subintimal revascularization of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). TECHNIQUE: This maneuver is appropriate after failure to cross a long SFA CTO via intra- and subintimal approaches from the ipsilateral femoral as well as retrograde posterior tibial artery (PTA) access sites. After predilation of the subintimal space from the femoral access, a reentry device was placed at the level of the first popliteal artery segment. A balloon was delivered via the retrograde PTA access and inflated at the corresponding level of the reentry device. The balloon was punctured with the needle of the reentry device under fluoroscopic control, and a 0.014-inch guidewire was placed within the punctured balloon. The balloon and the antegrade guidewire were retracted from the retrograde access while the guidewire was gently pushed from the femoral site. Conventional balloon angioplasty of the SFA occlusion was performed via the femoral access, followed by overlapping stent-graft implantation. Complete revascularization of the CTO was documented. CONCLUSION: In selected cases a transfemoral reentry device-assisted puncture of a retrogradely inserted balloon within the subintimal space may facilitate a rendezvous and revascularization if standard techniques to cross long CTOs have failed.

Perigraft Plug Embolization of the Internal Iliac Artery and Implantation of a Bifurcated Stentgraft: One Treatment Option for Insufficient Tubular Stentgraft Repair of a Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm.

We report an endovascular technique for the treatment of type Ia endoleak after a plain tubular stentgraft had been implanted for a large common iliac artery aneurysm with an insufficient proximal landing zone and without occlusion of the hypogastric in another hospital. CT follow-up showed an endoleak with continuous sac expansion over 12 months. This was classified as type Ia by means of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Before a bifurcated stentgraft was implanted to relocate the landing zone more proximally, the still perfused ipsilateral hypogastric artery was embolized to prevent a type II endoleak. A guidewire was manipulated alongside the indwelling stentgraft. The internal iliac artery could then be selectively intubated followed by successful plug embolization of the vessel's orifice despite the stentgraft being in place.

Endovascular recanalization of a port catheter-associated superior vena cava syndrome.

PURPOSE: Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome owing to benign etiology is rare and endovascular techniques have been advocated as the treatment of choice. We report a case of endovascular revascularization of a port catheter-associated complete occlusion of the SVC with reversed flow in the azygos vein. METHODS: In this setting using a sheath in combination with its dilatator to pass the occlusion of the SVC after neither a diagnostic catheter nor a PTA balloon would pass the lesion may be a valid option. A dual venous approach was established using the right common femoral vein and an indwelling port catheter in the right cephalic vein to dilate and stent the lesion. Finally, a port may be implanted after the revascularization had been successful. RESULTS: Passage through the port catheter-associated occlusion of the SVC was only possible by use of the sheath in combination with its dilatator. A dual venous access by the femoral approach and the indwelling central catheter is helpful in treating a SVC occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term central venous catheters may cause SVC syndrome, especially with a catheter tip located too far cranially. An endovascular revascularization of a complete occlusion of the SVC represents the therapy of choice.

Aortic Dissection: Accurate Subintimal Flap Fenestration by Using a Reentry Catheter with Fluoroscopic Guidance-Initial Single-Institution Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of using a commercially available reentry catheter with fluoroscopic guidance to gain controlled target lumen reentry for fenestration in patients with aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the local institutional review board; informed consent was waived. Between April 2009 and December 2013, 13 consecutive patients (10 men and three women; mean age, 51.2 years; range, 30.0-77.0 years; mean age of women, 47.0 years; range, 30.0-69.0 years; mean age of men, 52.4 years; range, 35.0-77.0 years) with aortic dissection and spinal (n = 4), renal (n = 7), mesenteric (n = 2), and/or iliofemoral (n = 9) malperfusion syndrome were included. All patients received target lumen reentry by means of balloon fenestration of the aortic dissection flap. A reentry catheter was used for fluoroscopically guided puncture of the target lumen. Technical success, clinical outcome, Stanford type of dissection, procedure time, number of fenestrations of the intimal flap per patient, necessity of additional aortic stent-graft implantation and/or placement of a bare metal stent, complications, and follow-up images were evaluated. Pre- and postinterventional systolic blood pressure gradients between the true lumen and the false lumen were compared (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Safety of the reentry catheter maneuver was estimated with the Clopper-Pearson method. RESULTS: Use of the reentry catheter was technically successful in all 13 (100%) patients and clinically successful in 10 of 13 (77%) patients. Four patients had type A and nine had type B dissection. The mean clinical follow-up period was 14.2 months. Median procedure time was 71 minutes. In four patients, fenestration of the intimal flap was performed twice. Three patients underwent additional aortic stent grafting, four patients underwent placement of an iliofemoral stent, and one patient underwent placement of a carotid artery stent. Blood pressure gradients between the true lumen and the false lumen were significantly reduced (P = .0313). One patient who had a combination of syndromes died of multiorgan failure. CONCLUSION: The applied commercially available reentry catheter seems to be a reliable and safe tool that may be useful for gaining target lumen reentry with reasonably good clinical outcomes.

The "buddy balloon technique" facilitates retrograde ipsilateral access to postdilate an iliac side branch after endovascular aneurysm repair.

If unilateral common iliac aneurysms occur simultaneously with abdominal aortic aneurysm, endovascular treatment consists of implantation of a bifurcated stent graft with extension into the external iliac artery while the ipsilateral internal iliac artery is often occluded. The internal iliac artery may be preserved by an iliac branch device (IBD). In this technical note, we describe a technique to probe the side branch of an IBD for postdilation through an ipsilateral retrograde access using one balloon to block the way upstream while directing a second percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon into the side branch despite the hostile angle of side branch and IBD.

Standard versus inverted digital luminescence radiography in detecting pulmonary nodules: a ROC analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Observer performance tests were conducted to compare the effect of presenting digital luminescence radiography (DLR) monitor images in positive mode ("bones black") or negative mode ("bones white") in the detectability of subtle lung nodules. METHODS: Five radiologists independently reviewed digital radiographs of 55 patients with either (a) a single, small (6-12 mm), non- calcified peripheral nodule confirmed by chest CT (n=47) or (b) normal finding (n=8) confirmed by chest CT, respectively. Mean size of pulmonary nodules was 8.3mm (range 6-12 mm, median 7 mm). Radiographs were displayed either in standard mode (bones white) or inverse intensity (bones black). A total of 550 observations resulted. For the evaluation ROC analysis was performed using a specialized computer algorithm. RESULTS: The standard presentation mode showed a sensitivity of 61.7% and a specificity of 72.5%, the inverse presentation mode a sensitivity of 68.1% and a specificity of 75.0%. ROC- analysis showed that the difference between the standard mode (Az- value 0.694) and the inverse mode (Az- value 0.810) was significant in favour of the inverse presentation mode (p=0.001). This finding was especially observed in more experienced radiologist (Az- values 0.716 vs. 0.909, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a significant advantage of the inverse mode in the detection of small pulmonary nodules compared with the commonly used negative mode when interpreted by more experienced radiologists. ADVANCE IN KNOWLEDGE: Inverse intensity images ("bones black") may have some advantages in the detection of small pulmonary nodules in experienced readers when presented on a stand-alone display.

Percutaneous image-guided implantation of totally implantable venous access ports in the forearm or the chest? A patients' point of view.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare patients' satisfaction and impact on daily life after implantation of totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) in the forearm and the chest. METHODS: In this prospective study, 50 patients (mean age, 55.8 ± 15.4 years) received three questionnaires on days 1, 30, and 90 after implantation in the forearm (n = 25) or the chest (n = 25). Knowledge concerning device function, comfort perception, and impact of TIVAP on daily activities were evaluated. Ratings were dichotomized depending on whether statements were agreed with or contradicted. Fisher's exact test was used to determine differences between the forearm port (FP) and chest port (CP) groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to unpleasant feelings (p = 0.09) and discomfort while puncturing (p = 0.06). Main fears in both groups were dysfunction and infection. The possibility of high-pressure injections via the TIVAP was rated important in both groups. More CP patients feared dislocation of their TIVAP during sleep (p < 0.05). CP patients experienced more negative perceptions while driving a car and wearing brassieres (p < 0.05) than FP patients. All patients would recommend their device. CONCLUSIONS: During certain activities, the FP device seems to be favorable, since it causes less discomfort than the CP.