Clinical Outcomes of Non-Stent-Based Interventions for Symptomatic Below-the-Knee Peripheral Artery Disease in the Excellence in Peripheral Artery Disease (XLPAD) Registry.

For endovascular treatment of below-the-knee (BTK) peripheral artery disease (PAD), independently adjudicated real-world outcomes comparing non-stent-based balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) and adjunctive treatments with or without a concomitant ipsilateral femoropopliteal (FP) artery intervention are scarce. A total of 1,060 patients from the multicenter XLPAD registry who underwent non-stent-based BTK PAD intervention between 2006 and 2021 were included. The primary outcome was the 1-year incidence of major adverse limb events (MALEs), a composite of all-cause death, any amputation, or clinically driven repeat revascularization. A total of 566 patients underwent BTK and 494 BTK + FP interventions; 72% were men, with a mean age of 68.4 ± 10.9 years. Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent in the BTK-only group (76.5% vs 69%, p = 0.006). Mean Rutherford class was 4.2 ± 1.18; chronic limb-threatening ischemia was more frequent in the BTK group (55.3% vs 49%, p = 0.040). Moderate to severe calcification was more frequent in the BTK + FP group (21.2% vs 27.1%, p = 0.024), as was lesion length (110.6 ± 77.3 vs 135.4 ± 86.3 mm, p <0.001). Nearly 81% of lesions were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Drug-coated balloon (1.6% vs 14%, p <0.001) and atherectomy (38% vs 58.5%, p <0.001) use was more frequent in the BTK + FP group. The rate of procedural success was higher in the BTK + FP group (86% vs 91%, p = 0.009), with amputation being the most common complication at 3.3% within 30 days after the procedure. The rates of 1-year MALE (21.2% vs 22.3%, p = 0.675) and mortality (4.6% vs 3.4%, p = 0.3) were similar between the BTK and BTK + FP groups. Nonstent treatment for BTK PAD with concomitant FP intervention leads to high procedural success and similar rates of 1-year MALE compared with isolated BTK intervention. Condensed Abstract: The vast majority of below-the-knee (BTK) peripheral artery disease (PAD) interventions are performed with balloon angioplasty. Presence of inflow femoropopliteal PAD in patients who undergo BTK interventions can affect the outcome of the procedure. This report explores immediate procedural success and major adverse limb events at 1 year after balloon angioplasty treatment for isolated BTK PAD and in patients who underwent an additional femoropopliteal PAD intervention.

Ruminant model for hemodialysis cannulation.

BACKGROUND: Preventative strategies that minimize hemodialysis access complications remain limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to address this gap by developing a Caprine cannulation model to investigate the impact of repeated cannulations on vascular access patency rates. RESEARCH DESIGN AND MEASURES: In this pilot study, a meta-analysis was conducted using experimental control data from four trials to explore the impact of Caprine breed (independent variable) on the dependent variables that affect hemodialysis cannulation, including AVF growth, AVF depth, and flow rate. SUBJECTS: Arteriovenous Fistulas (AVFs) were created using the carotid artery and jugular vein in the necks of seven goats from the French alpine, dwarf, and pygmy breeds. All seven AVFs exhibited vessel remodeling patterns similar to that observed in humans and remained patent, enabling hemodialysis access over the 6 month study. RESULTS: Over the course of 18 weeks, a total of 291 cannulations were completed using standard 15 g dialysis needles without complications demonstrating the feasibility of using the Caprine species as a cannulation model. The ease of access coupled with the animals' cooperative behavior further contributes to the suitability of the Caprine species for hemodialysis investigations. Notably, no infections or clinically significant incidents were observed throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: The stability of AVF patency and flow underscores the viability and potential of the Caprine species animal model as a valuable research platform for exploring interventions aimed at improving vascular access survival in hemodialysis patients.

Technique of percutaneous closure of an endovascular arteriovenous fistula created for dialysis access.

Endovascular arteriovenous fistulas (eAVFs) are a new and less invasive type of creation for dialysis access. The anastomosis for eAVFs often occurs between the ipsilateral proximal radial artery and vein or proximal ulnar artery and vein. As eAVF creations are in locations that are not traditionally used for surgical AVF creations, the question of how to approach reversal of these fistulas arises. Here we present a case of closure of an ulnar artery to ulnar vein eAVF.

Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access Cosmesis Scale (AVACS): A new measure for vascular access.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a cosmesis scale to evaluate the cosmetic appearance of hemodialysis (HD) arteriovenous (AV) accesses from the perspective of the patient and clinician, which could be incorporated into clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN: Using a modified Delphi process, two AV access cosmesis scale (AVACS) components were developed in a four-round Delphi panel consisting of two surveys and two consensus meetings with two rounds of patient consultation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The Delphi panel consisted of 15 voting members including five interventional or general nephrologists, five vascular surgeons, three interventional radiologists, and two vascular access nurse coordinators. Four patients experienced with vascular access were involved in patient question development. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: For a component to be included in the AVACS, it had to meet the prespecified panel consensus agreement of ⩾70%. RESULTS: The clinician component of the AVACS includes nine questions on the following AV access features: scarring, skin discoloration, aneurysm/pseudoaneurysms and megafistula appearance. The patient component includes six questions about future vascular access decisions, interference with work or leisure activities, clothing choices, self-consciousness or attractiveness, emotional impact, and overall appearance. LIMITATIONS: Delphi panel methods are subjective by design, but with expert clinical opinion are used to develop classification systems and outcome measures. The developed scale requires further validation testing but is available for clinical trial use. CONCLUSIONS: While safety and efficacy are the primary concerns when evaluating AV access for HD, cosmesis is an important component of the ESKD patient experience. The AVACS has been designed to assess this important domain; it can be used to facilitate patient care and education about vascular access choice and maintenance. AVACS can also be used to inform future research on developing new techniques for AV access creation and maintenance, particularly as relates to AV access cosmesis.

Effects of radiation and MediPort placement on the development of thoracic outlet syndrome.

We present a patient who exemplifies the interplay of factors contributing to the development of venous-type thoracic outlet syndrome. The patient was treated with both radiation and chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region; radiation and chemotherapy have been known to damage the vascular system. Multimodality treatment is necessary to achieve good long-term results in these complex patients.

Diaphragmatic fenestrations seen after peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: A rare cause of hydrothorax.

This case report summarizes the clinical course of a patient who developed diaphragmatic fenestrations leading to hydrothorax after the initiation of peritoneal dialysis. We will discuss the interesting disease process in the setting of patient presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.

Effectiveness of exclusion of a persistent sciatic artery aneurysm with an Amplatzer™ plug.

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare developmental anomaly. In its complete form, it provides the major arterial supply to the lower leg since the femoral system is hypoplastic. These unique arteries are prone to aneurysm formation and most commonly present with complications related to aneurysm formation, which can lead to limb loss. We encountered a 68-year-old man presenting with bilateral lower-extremity ischemia who was found to have bilateral persistent sciatic artery aneurysms. One aneurysm had already thrombosed, but the other was still patent. We treated this patient with a hybrid open and endovascular repair on the patent side. The aneurysm was excluded with an Amplatzer™ plug (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN) followed by a femoropopliteal bypass with saphenous vein in situ to revascularize the lower leg. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of a persistent sciatic artery aneurysm successfully treated with Amplatzer plug occlusion.

Critical lower limb ischemia from an embolized Angio-Seal closure device.

Vascular closure devices were introduced in the early 1990s in an effort to reduce time to hemostasis, enable early ambulation, and improve the comfort of patients undergoing femoral artery access for endovascular procedures. Many of these devices leave a foreign component in or around the artery, which can lead to complications such as hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, infection, or limb ischemia. Here we present a case where device embolization led to arterial occlusion and critical limb ischemia.

Thermoregulatory catheter-associated inferior vena cava thrombus.

The use of thermoregulatory catheters (TRCs) in critically ill patients has become increasingly popular. TRCs have been shown to be effective in regulating patient body temperature with improved outcomes. Critically ill patients, especially multitrauma patients and those with femoral catheters, are at high risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Among patients for whom chemical DVT prophylaxis is not an option, inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are often placed prophylactically. The development of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has allowed placement of IVC filters at the bedside for patients who are too ill for transport to the operating room or cardiac catheterization lab. After encountering several patients with occult DVT of the IVC during bedside IVC filter placement, we performed a retrospective review to determine the incidence of DVT or pulmonary embolus (PE) in patients who had been treated with a TRC at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Since 2008, IVC filters have been deployed at the bedside with the use of IVUS at Baylor University Medical Center. During that same time period, 83 patients had a TRC placed for either intravascular warming or cooling during their resuscitation. Forty-seven out of 83 patients who had a TRC placed survived their injuries. Ten of 47 patients (21%) were diagnosed with DVT or PE, and 6 of these 10 (60%) were found to have caval thrombus. We present this case series as evidence that undiagnosed IVC thrombus associated with TRCs may be higher than previously suspected, given that 5 out of 10 patients who had IVUS of their IVC for prophylactic IVC filter placement, as well as one patient diagnosed with PE, were found to have caval thrombus.

Obstruction of the celiac axis resulting in a pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm.

A 47-year-old woman complained of abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan indicated compressive obstruction of the celiac axis and a 4-cm retropancreatic aneurysm. An angiogram identified the aneurysmal vessel as the posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery. All foregut structures were supplied by this aneurysmal vessel. Via an open approach, the inflow and outflow of the aneurysm were ligated, and blood flow to the celiac axis was reconstructed via a bypass from the supraceliac aorta. A follow-up scan indicated complete thrombosis of the aneurysm. The patient is now symptom free. Open reconstruction of the celiac axis is mandatory when ligation of a pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm results in foregut ischemia. Ligation and reconstruction can be done safely and effectively in the elective setting.

Randomized comparison of percutaneous Viabahn stent grafts vs prosthetic femoral-popliteal bypass in the treatment of superficial femoral arterial occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized prospective study was designed to compare the effectiveness of treating superficial femoral artery occlusive disease percutaneously with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)/nitinol self-expanding stent grafts vs surgical femoral-to-above knee (AK) popliteal artery bypass with synthetic graft material. METHODS: From March 2004 to May 2005, 100 limbs in 86 patients with femoral-popliteal arterial occlusive disease were identified. Patients had symptoms ranging from claudication to rest pain, with or without tissue loss, and were prospectively randomized for treatment into one of two groups. The limbs were treated percutaneously with angioplasty and one or more self-expanding stent grafts (n = 50) or surgically with femoral-to-AK popliteal artery bypass using synthetic Dacron or ePTFE grafts (n = 50). The mean +/- SD total length of artery stented was 25.6 +/- 15 cm. Follow-up evaluation with ankle-brachial indices and color flow duplex sonography imaging were performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Patients were monitored for a median of 18 months. No statistical difference was found in the primary patency (P = .895) or secondary patency (P = .861) between the two treatment groups. Primary patency at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow-up was 84%, 82%, 75.6%, and 73.5% for the stent graft group and 90%, 81.8%, 79.7%, and 74.2% for the femoral-popliteal surgical group. Thirteen patients in the stent graft group had 14 reinterventions, and 12 reinterventions occurred in the surgical group. This resulted in secondary patency rates of 83.9% for the stent graft group and 83.7% for the surgical group at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Management of femoral-popliteal arterial occlusive disease using percutaneous treatment with a stent graft is comparable with surgical revascularization with conventional femoral-to-AK popliteal artery bypass using synthetic material up to 12 months. Longer-term follow-up would be helpful in determining ongoing efficacy.