Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Indications, Indwelling Time, Removal, Success and Complication Rates.

BACKGROUND: Various vena cava filters (VCF) are designed with the ability to be retrieved percutaneously. Yet, despite this option most of them remain in the inferior vena cava (IVC). OBJECTIVES: To report our experience in the placement and retrieval of three different types of VCFs, and to compare the indications for their insertion and retrieval as reported in the literature. METHODS: During a 5 year period three types of retrievable VCF (ALN, OptEase, and Celect) were inserted in 306 patients at the Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson and Hasharon hospitals). Indications, retrieval rates, median time to retrieval, success and complication rates were viewed and assessed in the three groups of filter types and were compared with the data of similar studies in the literature. RESULTS: Of the 306 VCFs inserted, 31 (10.1%) were retrieved with equal distribution in the three groups. In most patients the reason for filter insertion was venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and contraindications to anticoagulant therapy. Mean age was 68.38 ± 17.5 years (range 18-99) and was noted to be significantly higher compared to similar studies (53-56 years) (P < 0.0001). Multi-trauma patients were significantly older (71.11 ± 14.99 years) than post-pulmonary embolism patients (48.03 ± 20.98 years, P < 0.0001) and patients with preventive indication (26.00 ± 11.31, P < 0.0001). The mean indwelling time was 100.6 ± 103.399 days. Our results are comparable with the results of other studies, and there was no difference in percentage of retrieval or complications between patients in each of the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In 1 of 10 patients filters should be removed after an average of 3.5 months. All three IVC filter types used are safe to insert and retrieve.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using transvenous intravascular US catheter guidance in patients with chronic renal failure.

PURPOSE: To describe the transvenous application of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for guidance during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and chronic renal failure were determined suitable for EVAR. The procedure was performed by deploying the transcaval and transiliac vein guidance of an ICE catheter to reduce the dosage of iodinated contrast medium. Multiple guidance parameters were assessed. The present study describes the EVAR procedure and postprocedure transabdominal ultrasound (US) follow-up results at 3-4 months. RESULTS: The eight procedures were completed by using transvenous ICE guidance. No contrast medium was used in five patients, and 3-20 mL of isoosmolar contrast medium was administered in the other three. No endoleaks were detected by ICE immediately after stent deployment. One patient who had a single functioning kidney developed renal failure that was attributed to manipulation-related cholesterol embolization. That patient became dependent on dialysis and died 3.5 months after the procedure. No endoleaks were detected at 3-4-month US follow-up in the other seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transvenous ICE guidance is a promising method to reduce the dosage of iodinated contrast medium in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing EVAR. A prospective trial comparing this modality versus digital subtraction angiography guidance with iodinated contrast medium in terms of safety, accuracy, and long-term efficacy is recommended.

Angioplasty using covered stents in five patients with symptomatic pulmonary artery stenosis after single-lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: After lung transplantation, pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) may occur at the anastomotic site, resulting in poor graft function and hypoxemia. Surgical repair has been the standard-of-care, although percutaneous angioplasty with stent insertion has been performed in patients unsuitable for surgery. We summarize our experience of pulmonary artery stent-graft placement in transplant recipients who were also fit for surgical repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of five cases of single-lung transplant recipients (4 male, 1 female, median age 61 years) who underwent percutaneous angioplasty and insertion of stent-graft for severe PAS. Balloon-expandable stent-grafts were used that were tailored to the donor and recipient vessel diameters. RESULTS: Stenosis was diagnosed with computed tomography angiography at a median of 44 days (range 22-84) after transplantation. All stent placements were technically successful. There was only one periprocedural complication, a haemothorax that was drained. In four patients, the angioplasty improved the lung function; relative graft perfusion (as assessed by quantitative lung scintigraphy) improved by 26 % (IQR 13-37); and SpO2 improved by 8 % (IQR 4-9). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous angioplasty using stent-graft is a minimally invasive, safe, and efficacious procedure for treatment of posttransplantation PAS and should be considered as an alternative to surgery even when the patient is considered fit for surgical repair.

Transarterial embolization for acute head and neck bleeding: eight-year experience with emphasis on rebleeding risk in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To present our 8-year experience with transarterial embolization for head and neck bleeding, with an emphasis on the need for repeated procedures in patients treated for head and neck cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Tertiary university-affiliated medical center. The cohort included 49 patients who underwent transarterial embolization for acute head and neck bleeding in 2004 to 2012. Outcome measures included procedural success, recurrence, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 60.3 years. Indications for transarterial embolization were bleeding from a tumor (42%), nasal bleeding (36%), bleeding related to neck trauma (8%), tracheal stomal bleeding (8%), and other (4%). Twelve of 21 patients with tumors had been treated by chemoradiation. At least one repeated procedure was required in 11 patients, of whom nine had a history of chemoradiation and surgery for cancer; four of them required a stent for exclusion of pseudoaneurysm, and in six the recurrence presented late after the initial procedure (1 month to 5 years). Major complications included cerebrovascular accident in one patient and death due to major bleeding in two cases. Twenty-one patients died during follow-up, including nine patients with cancer. Eleven deaths occurred up to 4 years after embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial embolization is an important tool for the control of head and neck bleeding. Special attention should be given to patients after chemoradiation for cancer. Every effort should be made to control the bleeding because some patients may gain a reasonable lifespan and improved quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

A comparison of transjugular and plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy in patients with contraindications to ordinary percutaneous liver biopsy and an "in-house" protocol for selecting the procedure of choice.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) and plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy (PB) in consecutive patients with severe liver disease associated with impaired coagulation, ascites, or both and to verify the in-house protocol used to select the appropriate procedure. In 2000-2006, 329 patients (208 male [62.8%] and 121 female [37.2%]), aged 1 month to 81 years (mean, 46.8 years), underwent 150 TJLBs (39.1%) or 233 PBs (60.9%) procedures at a major tertiary center, as determined by an in-house protocol. The groups were compared for specimen characteristics, technical success, and complications. Technical success rates were 97.4% for TJLB (146/150) and 99.1% for PB (231/233). TJLB was associated with a lower average core length (1.29 vs. 1.43 cm) and lower average number of specimens obtained (2.44 vs. 2.8), but both methods yielded sufficient tissue for a definitive diagnosis. There were no major complications in either group. TJLB and PB can be safely and effectively performed for the diagnosis of hepatic disease in patients with contraindications for standard percutaneous liver biopsy. When both are technically available, we suggest PB as the procedure of choice, especially in transplanted livers.

Stent graft closure of a high flow splenorenal shunt after liver transplantation.

We describe a patient after liver transplantation with a preexisting surgical splenorenal shunt close to the confluence of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins and a wide, short communication between the splenic and renal veins. To close the shunt, an inferior vena cava filter was inserted in the shunt and a vascular plug was placed in the splenic vein inside the filter. When this failed to stop the flow through the shunt, a covered stent was deployed at the superior mesenteric vein-portal vein junction.

Celiac trunk embolization, as a means of elongating short distal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm necks, prior to endovascular aortic repair.

The purpose of this study was to report our experience in elongating short distal necks of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAAs) by coil embolization of the celiac trunk prior to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). During 6 years seven patients (five men and two women; mean age, 74) who had DTAAs with short distal necks unsuitable for conventional EVAR, and well patent superior and inferior mesenteric arteries based on CT, were treated in one session with EVAR after the celiac trunk was coil embolized to elongate the neck. All patients were followed by CT every 3 months in the first year and every 6 months thereafter. Technical success was achieved in all patients, and no early or late ischemic complications were noted. No procedural complications occurred and good aneurysm sealing was obtained in all patients. Three endoleaks were identified after 3 months (one patient) and 6 months (two patients); all were treated successfully with insertion of an additional stent-graft. In patients with DTAAs who are candidates for EVAR but have short aneurysm distal necks, celiac trunk embolization -- only if the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are patent -- is a good and safe way to elongate the neck and enable EVAR.

Infrapopliteal stenting with silicon carbide-coated stents in critical limb ischemia: a 12 month follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia is an increasingly common condition that has high surgical morbidity and limited non-surgical options. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of silicon carbide-coated Motion stents, as compared to reported data for bare metal stents, in elderly patients with infrapopliteal artery stenoses causing critical limb ischemia after failed or complicated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. METHODS: Between January 2003 and March 2004, 41 stents were inserted into 17 consecutive patients (11 males, 6 females, mean age 82 years, range 75-93) following unsuccessful or complicated PTA. Seven patients had one-vessel run-off, six had two-vessel and four had three vessel run-off. All patients suffered from CLI, had up to three lesions and more than one co-morbid condition, and were considered at high surgical risk. Silicon carbide-coated Motion coronary stents, 2.5-4 mm diameterand 25 and 30 mm length, were used. Pre-intervention assessment included clinical condition, ankle brachial index, Doppler ultrasound and digital subtracted angiography. Postintervention evaluation included clinical condition, ABI and Doppler ultrasound at 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The technical success rate per lesion was 100% (41/41). Two patients died of unrelated causes after 2 and 8 months respectively. Primary patency rates with duplex ultrasound were 68.7% (11/16) at 3 months, 43.7% (7/16) at 6 months and 40% (6/15) after 12 months. Nine patients developed complete occlusion in 13 stents; three of these patients underwent a below-knee amputation and two patients a partial foot amputation. Re-intervention (PTA only) was performed in 7 patients (43.7%). Secondary patency rate was 81.2% (13/16) at 6 months and 60% (9/15) at one year. Mean ABI index had improved at 6 months from 0.32 to 0.67, and to 0.53 at one year. Clinical improvement was evident in 87.5% (14/16) at 6 months and in 66.6% (10/15) at one year. CONCLUSIONS: Silicon carbide-coated stents are comparable to bare metal stents after 6 and 12 months in infrapopliteal interventions in CLI when stenting is indicated.