Coronary angiography was used to assess the effect of diabetes on off-pump coronary artery bypass graft patency.

This study aimed to examine the influence of diabetes on the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and saphenous vein (SV) graft failure for 5-year follow-up. We enrolled 202 patients who underwent isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in 2014, angiographic follow-up occurred at 5 years after surgery. Angiographic outcomes in patients with or without diabetes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of graft dysfunction. A total of 66 (32.7%) patients had diabetes. Five-year rates of LIMA and SV graft failure were similar in patients with and without diabetes. In addition, in diabetics, the proportion of complete graft failure was significantly lower in the LIMA grafts (12/66, 18.2%) than in the SV grafts (57/133, 42.9%) (P = .001). In nondiabetic, the proportion of complete graft failure was also significantly lower in the LIMA grafts (28/136, 20.6%) than in the SV grafts (105/275, 38.2%) (P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mean graft flow (MGF) was an independent predictor factor for LIMA (odds ratio = 1.186, 95% CI = 1.114-1.263, P < .001) and SV (odds ratio = 1.056, 95% CI = 1.035-1.077, P < .001) graft failure. Diabetes did not influence the patency of LIMA or SV grafts over a 5-year follow-up. LIMA grafts should be maximized in patients undergoing off-pump CABG surgery. Diabetes does not affect the patency of grafts CABG. Using angiography, our study proved that diabetes does not affect the patency of grafted vessels after CABG for 5 years.

Safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stents versus heparin-bonded stents in treatment of femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective randomised controlled trial in China (ELITE trial).

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular therapy has emerged as a prominent strategy for managing femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease, offering acceptable safety and efficacy compared with open surgical bypass. Both paclitaxel-eluting stents and heparin-bonded covered stents have exhibited enhanced clinical outcomes compared with bare metal stents. However, there is currently a lack of level I evidence comparing the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting stents and heparin-bonded covered stents. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of these two types of stents. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The ELITE trial is a prospective, multicentre, parallel, randomised controlled trial. A total of 450 patients will be recruited. The primary endpoints of the study include primary patency at 1 year post-index procedure. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of West China Hospital of Sichuan University (approval number: 2023-1186). The results will be submitted to a major clinical journal for peer review and publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ELITE trial was registered on 27 September 2023 in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2300076236).

[Prevalence and intervention effect of arteriovenous graft stenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, intervention methods and effect of arteriovenous graft (AVG) stenosis. Methods: The clinical data of patients who received AVG in the Blood Purification Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patency rate, prevalence and intervention effect of AVG stenosis were analyzed. Results: A total of 475 patients aged (55.5±11.8) years were included, and there were 193 male cases (40.6%) and 282 female cases (59.4%). The patients were followed up for [M (Q1, Q3)] 19 (12, 30) months, and the primary, assisted primary and secondary patency were 14 (5, 27), 27 (13, 55), and 59 (33, 65) months, respectively. There were 799 access events which needed intervention, with a total standardized intervention rate of 0.90 per patient-year. Totally, 431(53.9%, 431/799) stenosis events occurred in 207 AVG. Among 422 AVG stenosis events with complete clinical data, 57.8% (244/422) were multi-site stenosis and 42.2% (178/422) were single-site stenosis. The most common sites of stenosis were graft-vein anastomosis (47.6%, 340/715), venous outflows (22.7%, 162/715), and puncture zone (20.0%, 143/715). In the 414 stenosis with intact follow-up data, 90.8% (376/414) were treated by balloon angioplasty, 8.5% (35/414) received covered stent insertion, and 0.7% (3/414) were intervened by open surgery. Clinical success rate was 98.1% (406/414). The primary patency time after endovascular treatment was 6 (4, 12) months. Covered stent significantly increased post-intervention primary patency time compared withballoon angioplasty [6 (3, 7) months vs 3 (1, 4) months, P=0.020]. Conclusions: Stenosis is the most common complication of AVG, and the most common sites are graft-vein anastomosis, venous outflows, and puncture zone. Intervention of AVG stenosis has a high clinical success rate, and a relatively low post-intervention patency. Covered stent insertion improves the post-intervention patency of AVG, which has a poor effect using balloon expansion.

[Long-term outcomes of lower extremity arteriovenous grafts].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of lower extremity arteriovenous graft (AVG) in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Hemodialysis patients with lower extremity AVG from August 2015 to July 2023 in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled. Therapeutic effects and complications of AVG were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 83 cases aged (58.9±13.3) years were enrolled, including 25 males and 58 females. The success rate of the operation was 100% (83/83), and no perioperative complications occurred. The follow-up time [M (Q1, Q3)] was 38.4 (22.6, 55.3) months, with a follow-up rate of 92.8% (77/83). There were 9 cases (11.7%) of puncture site infection, 5 cases (6.5%) of pseudoaneurysm, 2 cases (2.6%) of seroma, 3 cases (3.9%) of lower limb ischemia, 48 cases (62.3%) of stenosis and 24 cases (31.2%) of thrombosis during the follow-up period. The 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year primary patency rates after surgery were 78.9%, 61.2%, 39.0%, 27.0% and 16.3%, respectively, assisted primary patency rates were 93.5%, 82.5%, 74.9%, 68.0% and 53.0%, respectively, and secondary patency rates were 96.1%, 94.7%, 93.1%, 91.3% and 75.3%, respectively. Conclusion: For patients whose vascular resources of upper limbs are exhausted, lower extremity AVG is a safe and effective hemodialysis vascular access.

[Application of arterio-arterial grafts access in hemodialysis].

Patients who underwent arterio-arterial graft (AAG) surgery at Beijing Haidian Hospital from March 2021 to December 2023 were prospectively included. A total of 13 cases (6 males and 7 females) aged (59±13) years were collected, with a dialysis history of 4.0 (1.8, 10.0) years. Nine cases of "bow"-type AAG and 4 cases of "α"-type AAG were established. The follow-up time was 10 (7, 16) months. The primary patency and secondary patency rates at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were 92.3% and 100%, 81.8% and 90.9%, 57.1% and 57.1%, respectively. Stenosis, thrombosis and infection occurred in 2, 5 and 2 cases, respectively. The current study indicates that AAG surgery is simple, minimally invasive, and has a high long-term patency rate. It can be used as a new type of vascular access for patients who fail to establish conventional dialysis access.

[Factors influencing primary patency time of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty for hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts].

Objective: To investigate the factors affecting primary patency time in arteriovenous graft (AVG) patients receiving percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA). Methods: Hemodialysis patients who underwent AVG placement at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between February 2018 and December 2021 were included. The factors including age, gender, total duration of AVG use, site of stenosis, degree of stenosis, length of stenosis, residual stenosis, and presence of thrombosis were analyzed, and influencing factors of primary patency time in AVG were determined using a multiple linear regression model. Results: A total of 101 patients who underwent 331 PTA treatments were enrolled, including 35 males and 66 females. The median age of patients undergoing PTA for the first time was 61 (51, 68) years, and the primary patency time after PTA was 5 (3, 10) months. The patients were followed up for (38.5±15.3) months. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that severe stenosis at the venous anastomosis and reflux veins (ß=-2.773, 95%CI:-5.440--0.105, P=0.042), female (ß=-2.247, 95%CI:-3.853--0.642, P=0.006), and previous multiple PTA treatments (ß=-0.516, 95%CI:-0.978--0.054, P=0.029) were risk factors for a shorter primary patency time after PTA. Conclusion: Severity of stenosis at the venous anastomosis and reflux veins of the AVG, female, and a history of multiple previous PTA treatments are associated with a shorter primary patency time in AVG patients.

[Efficacy and safety of early cannulation arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis].

A total of 309 (138 males and 171 females) end-stage renal disease patients who underwent implantation of early cannulation arteriovenous grafts (Acuseal) for hemodialysis in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University between December 2016 and May 2021 were retrospectively included. The age of patients was (61.5±10.3) years. There were 244 patients (119 males and 125 females) who received regular follow-up. During the follow-up period, 24 patients died. Perioperative complications included graft infection (4.5%, 11/244), hematoma (4.5%, 11/244) and steal syndrome (4.1%, 10/244). No seroma or anastomotic rupture occurred. The rates of the first postoperative puncture time within 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after implantation were 42.2%(103/244), 32.4% (79/244) and 16.4% (40/244), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the primary patency rates at 6 months and 12 months were 66.5% and 48.4%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates at 6 months and 12 months were 96.7% and 91.8%, respectively. The current study indicates that the Acuseal graft is safe for vascular access in patients requiring hemodialysis, with satisfactory patency and acceptable complication rates at 1-year follow-up.

Long-term clinical efficacy of drug-coated balloon angioplasty for TASCII C/D femoropopliteal lesions in older patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of drug-coated drug (DCB) angioplasty for long femoropopliteal lesions in older patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). In this multi-center retrospective study, we enrolled 119 patients with CLTI due to Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASCII) C/D femoropopliteal lesions who underwent DCB angioplasty. A total of 119 patients with 122 limbs (TASCII C = 67, 54.9%; TASCII D = 55, 45.1%) were enrolled. At 36-month follow-up, primary patency, assisted primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from target lesion revascularization were 47.3%, 49.8%, 59.5%, and 62.7%, respectively, and there was a significant improvement over baseline in Rutherford class (P < .001) and ankle-brachial index measurements (P < .001). Complex target lesions (P = .017) and 1 stenosis-free outflow vessel (P = .001) were risk predictors of freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization. Complex target lesions (P = .044), diabetes (P = .007), and 1 stenosis-free outflow vessel (P = .003) were risk predictors of restenosis. At 2 months, the ulcer healing rate was 96.3% (26/27). At 36 months, the limb salvage and survival rates were 85.8% and 83.3%, respectively. DCB angioplasty were safe and effective for older patients with CLTI attributable to femoropopliteal TASCII C/D lesions.

A review of the current recommendations and practices for hemodialysis access monitoring and maintenance procedures.

The growing number of prevalent arteriovenous (AV) accesses has been associated with an increase in the incidence of procedures being performed to maintain patency. To reduce the rate of unnecessary procedures, the 2019 Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines addended the AV access surveillance recommendations, which includes clinical monitoring and assessment of dialysis adequacy alone. Abnormal clinical findings would necessitate follow-up angiography with or without confirmatory duplex ultrasound. Due to poor patency, increased surveillance schedules have been proposed to identify stenosis early and potentially prevent acute thrombotic events and AV access failure. In this review, we outlined current AV access monitoring and maintenance procedure recommendations, as described by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and 2019 Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines. In addition, we highlight the findings of recently published randomized controlled trials that have examined increased surveillance schedules.

[Multiple Single Cannulation Technique Improves the Outcomes of Arteriovenous Graft in Hemodialysis Patients: A Retrospective Study]. / å¤šå•ç‚¹ç©¿åˆºæŠ€æœ¯æ”¹å–„è¡€æ¶²é€æžæ‚£è€ åŠ¨é™è„‰ç§»æ¤ç‰©å† ç˜˜ç»“å±€çš„å›žé¡¾æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the multiple single cannulation technique (MUST) on the outcomes of arteriovenous graft (AVG). Methods: A retrospective study of AVG created between January 2018 and December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was conducted. The clinical data of patients and their follow-up data for venous access were analyzed. Subjects were divided into the MUST group or the non-MUST group according to whether MUST was used. The cumulative patency rate and complication incidence were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of applying MUST in AVG. Results: The MUST group included 115 AVG and the non-MUST group, 122 AVG. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year cumulative patency rates of the MUST group were 100%, 99.1%, 95.2%, 85.4%, and 73.2%, respectively, while those for the non-MUST group were 97.5%, 92.7%, 77.7%, 69.7%, and 50.0%, respectively, with the 2-year and 3-year patency rates showing significant difference (P=0.022, P=0.004). The standard intervention rate expressed in (median [interquartile range]) in the MUST group was significantly lower than that in the non-MUST group (0.46 [0.00, 0.94] vs. 0.97 [0.60, 1.59], Z=-5.808, P<0.001). A total of 24 (20.9%) AVG in the MUST group and 60 (49.2%) AVG in the non-MUST group had a standard intervention rate >1.0 per patient-year, with significant difference between the two groups. Three (2.6%) AVG in the MUST group and 7 (5.7%) AVG in the non-MUST group were complicated by aneurysm (χ 2=20.737, P<0.001). One (0.9%) AVG in the MUST group and 6 (4.9%) AVG in the non-MUST group had graft infection, with the difference between the groups showing no significance (P=0.121). Multivariate logistic regression showed that dialysis in the alliance facilities (odds ratio [OR]=2.713, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.698-4.336, P<0.001], and excellent follow-up [OR=2.189, 95% CI: 1.221-3.927, P=0.009] were the influencing factors of applying MUST in AVG. Conclusion: MUST improves the cumulative patency of AVG and decreases the intervention frequency and the incidence of aneurysm without increasing the risk of graft infection.

Percutaneous Image-Guided Treatment of Pediatric Deep-Vein Occlusions.

Pediatric venous occlusions are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in hospitalized patients. Catheter-directed recanalization is a safe and effective treatment option in appropriately selected patients. Benefits of catheter directed therapies (CDTs) include the prevention of pulmonary embolism and end organ failure acutely as well as superior vena cava syndrome and post-thrombotic syndrome chronically. Timely diagnosis, recognition of underlying factors for thrombosis, and familiarity with the spectrum of tools and techniques for CDT are essential to optimizing outcomes in the acute setting. Recanalization of chronic venous occlusions can similarly provide symptomatic relief and achieve long term vessel patency. This review will detail the scope, techniques, and outcomes for CDT in the treatment of acquired systemic deep vein occlusions.

Pathohistomorphometric and Immuno-Histologic Changes in Early Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis is a prevalent treatment for the end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. The primary arteriovenous fistula (AVF), widely considered the optimal hemodialysis access method, fails to mature in up to two-thirds of the cases. The etiology of the early AVF failure, defined as thrombosis or inability to use within three months post-creation remains less understood, and is influenced by various factors including patient demographics, surgical techniques, and genetic predispositions. Neointimal hyperplasia is a primary histological finding in stenotic lesions leading to the AVF failure. However, there are insufficient data on the cellular phenotypes and the impact of the preexisting CKD-related factors. This study aims to investigate the histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical alterations in the fistula vein, pre-, peri-, and post-early failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine stage 4-5 CKD patients underwent standard preoperative assessment, including the Doppler ultrasound, before a typical radio-cephalic AVF creation. Post-failure, a new AVF was created proximally. The vein specimens were collected during the surgery, processed, and analyzed for morphometric analyses and various cellular markers, including Vimentin, TGF, and Ki 67. RESULTS: The study enrolled 89 CKD patients, analyzing various aspects of their condition and AVF failures. The histomorphometric analysis revealed substantial venous luminal stenosis and varied endothelial changes. The immunohistologic analysis showed differential marker expressions pre- and post-AVF creation. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complexity of the early AVF failures in CKD patients. The medial hypertrophy emerged as a significant preexisting lesion, while the postoperative analyses indicated a shift towards neointimal hyperplasia. The research underscores the nuanced interplay of vascular remodeling, endothelial damage, and cellular proliferation in the AVF outcomes.

Preoperative mapping and multidisciplinary team are the key to success of arteriovenous access for hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Functional and durable vascular access is needed for adequate hemodialysis. Arteriovenous fistula is preferred over prosthetic grafts or central venous catheters, but it is associated with high rates of primary failure and maturation failure. Preoperative mapping of arm vessels with color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) has been shown to be helpful in achieving better short and long-term outcomes. Unfortunately, is more time-consuming than a physical examination and requires an experienced examiner and special equipment; some authors defend that CDU should not be part of the routine preoperative assessment. We reported our experience in preoperative vessel mapping using color Doppler ultrasound to purpose a vascular access to the surgical team, surveillance of vascular access, and evaluation of main outcomes (primary failure, maturation failure, and patency). METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study that includes patients who attended a specific appointment for vascular access planning consultation between January 2019 and December 2021. A nephrologist performed the physical exam and vascular mapping and proposed to the vascular surgeon team a specific type and location of vascular access. Patients were followed until one month after the first hemodialysis through functioning vascular access. RESULTS: In this study, 167 patients were evaluated (114 incident patients - chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 - and 53 prevalent patients - under hemodialysis through central venous catheter). The vascular accesses proposed by nephrologist were radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 70 patients (41.9%), brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 50 patients (29.9%), brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistula in 34 patients (20.4%), arteriovenous graft in 8 patients (4.8%) and central venous catheter in 2 patients (1.2%). Vascular access was constructed in 141 patients: distal arteriovenous fistula in 57 patients (40.4%), brachio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in 54 patients (38.3%), brachio-basilic AVF in 27 patients (19.1%), and arteriovenous graft in 3 patients (2.1%). The created access corresponds to the proposed access in 129 patients (91.5%). Twenty-two (15.6%) primary failures were registered. Distal arteriovenous fistulas and diabetes mellitus were associated with a higher risk of primary failure (OR=3.929 (1.485-10.392), p=0.004; OR=3.867 (1.235-12.113), p=0.014, respectively). The incidence of maturation failure at eight weeks was 4.8%. The primary patency at 6, 12 and 24 months was 76.3%, 70.4% and 49.2%. Primary assisted patency was 84.8% at 6 and 12 months and 81.3% at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the study of the entire vascular territory performed with color Doppler ultrasound, within a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists and vascular surgeons, is associated with high rates of autologous access and very low rates of primary failure and maturation failure (almost unprecedented in the literature).

Retrospective evaluation of three types of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for upper limb vascular access.

Currently, three expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) prosthetic graft types are most commonly used for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who require long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. However, studies comparing the three ePTFE grafts are limited. This study compared the clinical efficacy and postoperative complications of three ePTFE prosthetic graft types used for upper limb arteriovenous graft (AVG) surgery among patients with ESKD. Patients with ESKD requiring upper limb AVG surgery admitted to our center between January 2016 and September 2019 were enrolled. Overall, 282 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up were included and classified into the following three groups according to the ePTFE graft type: the GPVG group with the PROPATEN® graft, the GAVG group with the straight-type GORE® ACUSEAL, and the BVVG group with the VENAFLO® II. The patency rate and incidence of access-related complications were analyzed and compared between groups. The patients were followed up postoperatively, and data were collected at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Respective to these follow-up time points, in the GPVG group, the primary patency rates were 74.29%, 65.71%, 51.43%, and 42.86%; the assisted primary patency rates were 85.71%, 74.29%, 60.00%, and 48.57%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.71%, 80.00%, 71.43%, and 60.00%. In the GAVG group, the primary patency rates were 73.03%, 53.93%, 59.42%, and 38.20%; the assisted primary patency rates were 83.15%, 68.54%, 59.55%, and 53.93%; and the secondary patency rates were 85.39%, 77.53%, 68.54%, and 62.92%, respectively. In the BVVG group, the primary patency rates were 67.24%, 53.45%, 41.38%, and 29.31%; the assisted primary patency rates were 84.48%, 67.24%, 55.17%, and 44.83%; and the secondary patency rates were 86.21%, 81.03%, 68.97%, and 60.34%, respectively. The differences in patency rates across the three grafts were not statistically significant. Overall, 18, 4, and 12 patients in the GPVG, GAVG, and BVVG groups, respectively, experienced seroma. Among the three grafts, GORE® ACUSEAL had the shortest anastomosis hemostatic time. The first cannulation times for the three grafts were GPVG at 16 (±8.2), GAVG at 4 (±4.9), and BVVG at 18 (±12.7) days. No significant difference was found in the postoperative swelling rate between the GPVG group and the other two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found across the three graft types regarding postoperative vascular access stenosis and thrombosis, ischemic steal syndrome, pseudoaneurysm, or infection. In conclusion, no statistically significant differences in the postoperative primary, assisted primary, or secondary graft patency rates were observed among the three groups. A shorter anastomosis hemostatic time, first cannulation time, and seroma occurrence were observed with the ACUSEAL® graft than with its counterparts. The incidence of upper extremity swelling postoperatively was greater with the PROPATEN® graft than with the other grafts. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three grafts regarding the remaining complications.

Drug-coated balloons versus conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment-naïve dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulas.: A 10-year single center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the primary patency and restenosis rates in treatment naieve dialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) after drug-coated balloons (DCB) versus plain balloon angioplasty (PTA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 157 patients who underwent AVF angioplasty for treatment-native AVF stenosis between January 2012 to 2022. The fistulas were Brachiocephalic (75%), Brachiobasilic (17%), and radiocephalic (8%). The index intervention was with either DCB or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with subsequent follow up. Patients with central venous stenosis, thrombosed fistula, fistula stents, AV graft or surgical intervention after the index procedure were excluded. RESULTS: Arteriovenous fistula angioplasty was done in 28 patients using DCB and in 129 patients using PTA. A total of 108 patients presented with a single stenosis, 42 with 2 stenoses, and 7 with 3 stenoses. The location of these stenoses was in the venous outflow (57%), the juxta anastomotic segment (31%), and cephalic arch (12%). The median time to re-intervention for the PTA was 216 days compared to 304 days for the DCB (p=0.079). Primary patency at 6 months was 60.4% for PTA and 75% for DCB (p=0.141) CONCLUSION: Although DCB angioplasty of treatmentnaïve dysfunctional AVF tends to improve the time to intervention and 6-month primary patency compared to PTA, this difference did not reach statistical significance.

Graft Patency and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Radial Artery Grafts Previously Instrumented for Cardiac Catheterization.

BACKGROUND: While transradial access is favored for cardiac catheterization, the radial artery (RA) is increasingly preferred for coronary artery bypass grafting. Whether the RA is suitable for use as a graft following instrumentation for transradial access remains uncertain. METHODS: Consecutive patients from 2015 to 2019 who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using both the left and right RAs as grafts were included. Instrumented RAs underwent careful preoperative assessment for suitability. The clinical analysis was stratified by whether patients received an instrumented RA graft (instrumented versus noninstrumented groups). Eligible patients with both instrumented and noninstrumented RAs underwent computed tomography coronary angiography to evaluate graft patency. The primary outcome was a within-patient paired analysis of graft patency comparing instrumented to noninstrumented RA grafts. RESULTS: Of the 1123 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 294 had both the left and right RAs used as grafts and were included. There were 126 and 168 patients in the instrumented and noninstrumented groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were comparable. The rate of major adverse cardiac events at 2 years following coronary artery bypass grafting was 2.4% in the instrumented group and 5.4% in the noninstrumented group (hazard ratio, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.12-1.61]; P=0.19). There were 50 patients included in the graft patency analysis. At a median follow-up of 4.3 (interquartile range, 3.7-4.5) years, 40/50 (80%) instrumented and 41/50 (82%) noninstrumented grafts were patent (odds ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.29-2.52]; P>0.99). No significant differences were observed in the luminal diameter or cross-sectional area of the instrumented and noninstrumented RA grafts. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence found in this study that RA graft patency was affected by prior transradial access, and the use of an instrumented RA was not associated with worse outcomes in the exploratory clinical analysis. Although conduits must be carefully selected, prior transradial access should not be considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the RA as a bypass graft. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Unique identifier: ACTRN12621000257864.

Percutaneous Endovascular Creation of a Neo-arteriovenous Fistula in Dysfunctional Hemodialysis Fistulas.

PURPOSE: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) is the preferred type of hemodialysis access, but when an arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) calcifies, surgical revision of the AVF may be required. We report a technique to create percutaneous artery-to-vein intervascular neo-fistulas for re-anastomosis of AVA and evaluate its safety and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 patients who failed either guidewire navigation or conventional balloon dilation for calcified AVA stenosis/occlusion underwent a salvage procedure of their dialysis shunt by the percutaneous creation of a new arteriovenous fistula. Needle puncture of the adjacent supplying artery and outflow vein under ultrasonographic and/or fluoroscopic guidance was performed and followed by balloon dilation, with or without stent graft placement. The detailed techniques, technical success, primary neo-fistula patency, primary and secondary access patency rates were reported herein. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of the 9 patients treated (7 neo-fistulas with stents and 2 neo-fistulas without stent placement). The median primary neo-fistula and access patencies were 15 and 5 months, respectively. The primary neo-fistula patency rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 72.9%, 54.7% and 27.9%, respectively, with secondary neo-fistula and access patency rates of 72.9%, 72.9% and 72.9%, respectively. One delayed complication of pseudoaneurysm formation occurred, which was managed by the successful endovascular deployment of a stent graft on an out-patient basis. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous artery-to-vein intervascular neo-fistula creation is feasible for re-anastomosing calcified AVA, with low adverse effects and acceptable primary neo-fistula and secondary access patency.

Intravascular ultrasound-guided drug-coated balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery disease: a clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have demonstrated favourable outcomes following endovascular therapy for femoropopliteal artery (FPA) disease. However, uncertainty remains whether the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can improve the outcomes of DCBs. METHODS: This prospective, multicentre, randomized trial, conducted at seven centres in South Korea, compared the outcomes of IVUS-guided vs. angiography-guided angioplasty for treating FPA disease with DCBs. Patients were assigned to receive IVUS-guided (n = 119) or angiography-guided (n = 118) angioplasty using DCBs. The primary endpoint was 12-month primary patency. RESULTS: Between May 2016 and August 2022, 237 patients were enrolled and 204 (86.0%) completed the trial (median follow-up; 363 days). The IVUS guidance group showed significantly higher primary patency [83.8% vs. 70.1%; cumulative difference 19.6% (95% confidence interval 6.8 to 32.3); P = .01] and increased freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization [92.4% vs. 83.0%; difference 11.6% (95% confidence interval 3.1 to 20.1); P = .02], sustained clinical improvement (89.1% vs. 76.3%, P = .01), and haemodynamic improvement (82.4% vs. 66.9%, P = .01) at 12 months compared with the angiography guidance group. The IVUS group utilized larger balloon diameters and pressures for pre-dilation, more frequent post-dilation, and higher pressures for post-dilation, resulting in a greater post-procedural minimum lumen diameter (3.90 ± 0.59 vs. 3.71 ± 0.73 mm, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular ultrasound guidance significantly improved the outcomes of DCBs for FPA disease in terms of primary patency, freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization, and sustained clinical and haemodynamic improvement at 12 months. These benefits may be attributed to IVUS-guided optimization of the lesion before and after DCB treatment.