Angiographic study of upper limb vascularization in a large cohort of hemodialysis patients with critical hand ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Critical hand ischemia (CHI) is a not rare condition in patients with end-stage-renal-disease on hemodialysis (HD), and presents devastating consequences due to its impact on life quality. In HD patients CHI may be related to three main conditions: obstruction of the big upper limb arteries, obstruction of the small hand and finger arteries, and the steal effect of a hemodialysis access. The aim of this study was to describe the angiographic pattern of upper limb vascularization and associated cardiovascular risk factors, in a large cohort of consecutive HD patients with CHI studied in our center. METHODS: In our center 114 HD consecutive patients (age 64±10 years) with a total of 132 upper limbs affected by CHI (21 with rest pain and 93 with tissue loss) underwent angiography in our center. The majority of them were diabetic males. We computed the prevalence of obstructive disease for each vascular segment of the upper limb. RESULTS: Above-the-elbow arteries were mostly spared, while below-the-elbow and hand arteries were extensively affected. We found a stenosis or occlusion in humeral artery (2.3%), radial (61.4%) or ulnar (90.1%) arteries, deep palmar arch (51.5%), superficial palmar arch (58.3%) and digital arteries (72.4%). In 42.4% of cases an ipsilateral functioning arteriovenous fistula was present. CONCLUSIONS: CHI in HD patients is a result of below-the-elbow and hand vessel obstruction and is not primarily related to dialysis access.

Radiological anatomy of upper limb arteries and their anatomical variability: implications for endovascular treatment in critical hand ischemia.

Critical hand ischemia (CHI) is a quite uncommon but highly disabling condition, generally caused by chronic occlusive arterial disease. For a correct approach to the endovascular treatment of these patients, good knowledge of the normal vascular anatomy and of the most frequently encountered vascular anatomical variations is of paramount importance. In the present paper a description of the normal vascular anatomy of the upper limb and of the most commonly encountered anatomical variations is provided, focusing on the implications for endovascular treatment of patients with CHI. Moreover, data of 151 patients with 172 critically ischemic hands treated at our institution between 2004 and 2016 are presented.

Hydrodynamic boost: a novel re-entry technique in subintimal angioplasty of below-the-knee vessels.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the hydrodynamic boost (HB) technique and report our preliminary results with this technique in the subintimal angioplasty of below-the-knee vessels. METHODS: HB was used in 23 cases (14 males, mean age 73 ± 12 years) of critical limb ischemia, with long chronic total occlusion of tibial arteries extended to the ankle level. The operator performs a manual injection of diluted contrast dye through a 4 F catheter into the subintimal space, close to the patent true distal lumen, in order to achieve a tear in the intimal flap and a connection with the true lumen. RESULTS: In 19/23 (83 %) cases, the HB was effective in creating a connection between the subintimal space and the true distal lumen and it was possible to advance a wire and to conclude the procedure. In 4/23 (17 %) lesions, the HB failed and the procedure was successfully completed by retrograde approach. No major complications occurred. Mean length between catheter tip and re-entry point was 8 ± 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: HB seems to be a feasible, safe and effective re-entry technique in distal below-the-knee vessels. This method represents an easy option for re-entry that extends the possibility of antegrade approach to obtain a successful revascularization. KEY POINTS: • In subintimal angioplasty of below-the-knee vessel re-entry can represent a challenge. • Inability to re-enter may determine the failure of the revascularization procedure. • HB is a novel re-entry technique feasible in distal below-the-knee vessels. • HB may increase the success rate of antegrade approach. • In case of failure, retrograde approach remains feasible.