[Mechanical thrombolysis of the basilar artery. Report of one case]. / Trombolisis mecánica de tronco basilar con Solitaire FR®: caso clínico.

We report a 40 year-old male presenting in the emergency room with headache, vertigo and left hemiparesis. A magnetic resonante imaging reported a left cerebellar infarction with occlusion of the basilar artery and a dissection of the right vertebral artery. The patient experienced a clinical deterioration with the appearance of a right hemiparesis. Therefore a brain angiography was performed along with a mechanical thrombolysis using a Solitaire FR® revascularization device. A thrombus located in the distal third of the artery was eliminated obtaining a complete perfusión of the artery. The patient had a satisfactory evolution.

Trombolisis mecánica de tronco basilar con Solitaire FR®: caso clínico / Mechanical thrombolysis of the basilar artery: Report of one case

We report a 40year-old male presenting in the emergeney room with headache, vértigo and left hemiparesis. A magnetic resonante imaging reporten a left cerebellar infarction with occlusion of the basilar artery ana dissection ofthe right vertebral artery. Thepatient experienced a clinical deterioration with the appearance ofa right hemiparesis. Therefore a brain angiography wasperformed alongwith a mechanical thrombolysis using a Solitaire FR® revascularization device. A thrombus located in the distal third ofthe artery was eliminated obtaining a complete perfusión ofthe artery. Thepatient had a satisfactory evolution.

Embolization of incompetent pelvic veins for the treatment of recurrent varicose veins in lower limbs and pelvic congestion syndrome.

PURPOSE: We present our experience with embolization of incompetent pelvic veins (IPV) in women with recurrence of varicose veins (VV) in lower limbs, as well as symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), after first surgery. In addition, we evaluated the effects of embolization in decreasing the symptoms of VV before surgery as well as its effects on PCS symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 10 women who had consulted a vascular surgeon because of recurrent VV in lower limbs after surgery. All of these patients were included in the study because they also had symptoms of PCS, probably due to IPV. In patients who had confirmed IPV, we performed embolization before a second surgery. VV and PCS were assessed before and at 3 months after embolization (before the second surgery) using a venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and a visual analog pain scale (VAS), respectively. Patients were controlled between 3 and 6 months after embolization. Paired Student t test analysis was used for comparing data before and after embolization. RESULTS: Fifteen vein segments in 10 women were suitable for embolization. There was a significant (p < 0.001) decrease of VCSS after embolization, and recurrence of VV was not detected within a period of 6 months. There was also significant (p < 0.01) relief of chronic pelvic pain related to PCS evaluated using VAS at 3 months after embolization. CONCLUSION: Embolization decreases the risk of VV recurrence after surgery and also improves PCS symptoms in women with VV in lower limbs and IPV.

Natriuretic peptide type-B can be a marker of reperfusion in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism subjected to invasive treatment.

This study was intended to investigate changes in cardiac biomarkers and pulmonary hemodynamic effects of invasive treatment in patients with intermediate-risk (hemodynamic stability with evidence of right ventricle dysfunction and/or myocardial injury) pulmonary embolism. Also, to also evaluate if natriuretic peptide type-B (NT-proBNP) plasma levels are associated with right ventricle function and pulmonary arterial pressures. Interventional study: Fourteen normotensive adult patients with acute and radiologically massive pulmonary embolism plus positive biomarkers and evidences of right ventricle dysfunction underwent invasive pulmonary angiography for invasive treatment consisting on mechanical thrombus fragmentation and catheter-directed intrathrombus thrombolysis. Angiography was repeated after 12-24 h to reevaluate perfusion status. Plasma biomarkers were monitored before and 8-h after intervention. Biomarkers were initially elevated in all patients. Eleven patients (78.6%) exhibited significant angiographic reperfusion. NT-proBNP and mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased significantly in all of them [3693 (1803, 8862) to 1951 (1309, 7918) pg/ml; P = 0.008) and 40.0 (24.0, 46.0) to 22.0 (14.0, 27.0) mmHg; P = 0.003, respectively]. No significant variation was observed in troponin-T levels. In patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism, NT-proBNP plasma levels experience rapid and significant reduction after successful invasive treatment. In pulmonary embolism, serial measurements of NT-proBNP could be useful as a tracking tool to assess the success or failure of the thrombolytic treatment.

Congenital heart disease in children: coronary MR angiography during systole and diastole with dual cardiac phase whole-heart imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the optimal timing for coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in children with congenital heart disease by using dual cardiac phase whole-heart MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local institutional review board approved this study, and informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians. Thirty children (13 girls; overall mean age, 5.01 years) were examined with a 1.5-T MR system. A free-breathing three-dimensional steady-state free precession dual cardiac phase sequence was used to obtain MR angiographic data during end-systolic and middiastolic rest periods. Vessel length, diameter, and sharpness, as well as image quality of the coronary artery segments, were analyzed and compared by using Bland-Altman plots, linear regression analysis, the t test, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS: Optimal coronary artery imaging timing was patient dependent and different for each coronary artery segment (36 segments favored end systole, 28 favored middiastole). In 15 patients (50%), different segments favored different cardiac phases within the same patient. Image quality and vessel sharpness degraded with higher heart rates, with a similar correlation for end systole (right coronary artery [RCA], 0.39; left main [LM] coronary artery, 0.46; left anterior descending [LAD] artery, 0.51; and left circumflex [LCX] artery, 0.50) and middiastole (RCA, 0.34; LM, 0.45; LAD, 0.48; and LCx, 0.55). Mean image quality difference or mean vessel sharpness difference showed no indication to prefer a specific cardiac phase. CONCLUSION: The optimal cardiac rest period for coronary MR angiography in children with congenital heart disease is specific for each coronary artery segment. Dual cardiac phase whole-heart coronary MR angiography enables optimal coronary artery visualization by retrospectively choosing the optimal imaging rest period.

Evaluación prospectiva de la venografía mediante angioTC en el diagnóstico de enfermedad tromboembólica / Diagnostic yield of CT pulmonary angiography and venography for thromboembolic disease

Background: CT pulmonary angiography is the diagnostic procedure of choice for non-massive pulmonary embolism. Aim: To assess the diagnostic yield for thromboembolic disease of CT pulmonary angiography and venography using a 64- slice multidetector tomography. Material and Methods: Prospective study of patients with a clinical suspicion of thromboembolic disease, subjected to CT pulmonary angiography and venography. The presence and location of pulmonary thromboembolism, of isolated or concomitant deep venous thrombosis and of other significant radiological findings, were registered. Results: A 64-MDCT scanner was performed to 893 patients and thromboembolic disease was demonstrated in 240. Pulmonary thromboembolism was diagnosed in 218 patients. It was concomitant with deep venous thrombosis in 79 patients (36 percent) and isolated in the rest. Thirty fve of the 218 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism had radiological evidence of right ventricular overload. Twenty two patients (10 percent) had an isolated deep venous thrombosis. In 65 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (30 percent) a possibly new or old malignant lesion, was observed. Seventy one of 653 patients without evidence of thromboembolic disease had potentially pathological findings on CT. Conclusions: The combined use of CT pulmonary arteriography and venography using a 64 MDCT scanner increases the diagnostic yield of the procedure for thromboembolic disease. It also allows the diagnosis of other related conditions, specially malignant tumors.

[Diagnostic yield of CT pulmonary angiography and venography for thromboembolic disease]. / Evaluación prospectiva de la venografía mediante angioTC en el diagnóstico de enfermedad tromboembólica.

BACKGROUND: CT pulmonary angiography is the diagnostic procedure of choice for non-massive pulmonary embolism. AIM: To assess the diagnostic yield for thromboembolic disease of CT pulmonary angiography and venography using a 64-slice multidetector tomography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of patients with a clinical suspicion of thromboembolic disease, subjected to CT pulmonary angiography and venography. The presence and location of pulmonary thromboembolism, of isolated or concomitant deep venous thrombosis and of other significant radiological findings, were registered. RESULTS: A 64-MDCT scanner was performed to 893 patients and thromboembolic disease was demonstrated in 240. Pulmonary thromboembolism was diagnosed in 218 patients. It was concomitant with deep venous thrombosis in 79 patients (36%) and isolated in the rest. Thirty five of the 218 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism had radiological evidence of right ventricular overload. Twenty two patients (10%) had an isolated deep venous thrombosis. In 65 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (30%) a possibly new or old malignant lesion, was observed. Seventy one of 653 patients without evidence of thromboembolic disease had potentially pathological findings on CT. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of CT pulmonary arteriography and venography using a 64 MDCT scanner increases the diagnostic yield of the procedure for thromboembolic disease. It also allows the diagnosis of other related conditions, specially malignant tumors.

[Chemoembolization of hepatocarcinoma: report of two cases]. / Quimioembolización hepática en el manejo terapéutico del hepatocarcinoma: Reporte de dos casos.

Chemoembolization is a therapeutic alternative for those patients with hepatocarcinoma that cannot be excised surgically or that are waiting a liver allograft. We report two patients with hepatocarcinoma who were subjected to chemoembolization. A 65 years old male with a chronic liver disease and right lobe hepatocarcinoma, waiting for a liver transplantation, was subjected to two sessions, of chemoembolization four weeks apart. A magnetic resonance showed a 80% reduction of tumor volume one month later. A 72 years old diabetic male with an alcoholic liver disease with two hepatocarcinoma in the right lobe was subjected to two sessions of chemoembolization, separated by four weeks. A magnetic resonance one month later showed the absence of blood flow in both lesions, suggesting complete necrosis.

Laparoscopic repair of renal artery aneurysm: a description of the technique and results in 2 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Renal artery aneurysm is a rare occurrence. We report our experience in the management of 2 symptomatic renal artery aneurysms with laparoscopic approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two patients, male and female, mean age 44 years (range: 43 to 45 y), diagnosed with left renal artery aneurysms during routine hypertension work-up, underwent laparoscopic aneurysm reconstruction. RESULTS: Operative time was 180 and 150 minutes with a warm ischemia time of 46 and 15 minutes and an estimated operative bleeding of 50 and 0 mL, respectively. The patients were discharged home on postoperative day 2 and 5, respectively. A selective left renal arteriography showed normal caliber of the repaired arteries in both patients. A follow-up of 45 and 7 months, respectively, has been uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: In well-selected patients, vascular surgical techniques may offer excellent results. Laparoscopy provides the advantages of the minimally invasive approach while achieving adequate vascular control. However, advance training in laparoscopic reconstructive surgical techniques is required before attempting this procedure.

Quimioembolización hepática en el manejo terapéutico del hepatocarcinoma: Reporte de dos casos / Chemoembolization of hepatocarcinoma: Report of two cases

Chemoembolization is a therapeutic alternative for those patients with hepatocarcinoma that cannot be excised surgically or that are waiting a liver allograft. We report two patients with hepatocarcinoma who were subjected to chemoembolization. A 65 years old male with a chronic liver disease and right lobe hepatocarcinoma, waiting for a liver transplantation, was subjected to two sessions, of chemoembolization four weeks apart. A magnetic resonance showed a 80 percent reduction of tumor volume one month later. A 72 years old diabetic male with an alcoholic liver disease with two hepatocarcinoma in the right lobe was subjected to two sessions of chemoembolization, separated by four weeks. A magnetic resonance one month later showed the absence of blood flow in both lesions, suggesting complete necrosis.

Carotid artery dissection: endovascular treatment. Report of 12 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to report our experience with endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection with the use of stents. BACKGROUND: Carotid dissection is an important cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged patients. There are some patients in whom invasive management is recommended. METHODS: Twelve patients (eight females, four males), mean age of 50 years (range 35-80 years) with ICA dissection, were treated with the endovascular approach during a 24-month period. Patients included in this study underwent magnetic resonance (MR) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for diagnosis. Over this time period, 162 patients with ICA dissections were seen at our institution. Indications for endovascular treatment were: recurrent ischemic events despite adequate anticoagulant treatment in seven cases, contraindication to anticoagulation in four cases, and one case with significant mismatch between diffusion and perfusion weighted MR. Eleven dissections were spontaneous and one was traumatic. The follow-up was performed clinically with Doppler ultrasound (US) and MR at 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: Stent deployment was successful in all cases. Acute symptoms were resolved in 66.7% of patients. No patients deteriorated their neurological status. There were no new clinical events, stent stenosis or occlusion on 24 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our results showed an excellent clinical outcome of the treated patients. This suggests promising results with the use of endovascular treatment in selected patients.

TIPSS procedure in the treatment of a single patient after recent heart transplantation because of refractory ascites due to cardiac cirrhosis.

We present the case of a female patient with arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right ventricle who evolved to refractory heart failure, ascites, and peripheral edema. As a result, heart transplantation was performed. Subsequently, refractory ascites impaired the patient's respiratory function, resulting in prolonged mechanical ventilation. She was successfully treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) placement, which allowed satisfactory weaning of ventilatory support.

Tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente: resultados a mediano plazo / Endovascular treatment of the descending thoracic aorta: mid-term results

Objetivo: El propósito de esta publicación es comunicar nuestros resultados inmediatos y a mediano plazo del tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente mediante implante de endoprótesis. Material y métodos: Entre agosto de 1999 y agosto de 2006, 74 pacientes consecutivos, 53 hombres y 21 mujeres, fueron tratados por vía endovascular con implante de una prótesis autoexpandible. La edad media fue de 60 ± 14,8 años. Las indicaciones para tratamiento fueron disección aguda (n = 8); 11 por ciento, disección crónica (n =31); 42 por ciento, hematoma intramural (n = 5); 7 por ciento, aneurisma verdadero (n = 17); 23 por ciento, úlcera penetrante (n = 4); 5 por ciento y seudoaneurisma traumático (n = 9); 12 por ciento. Resultados: El implante del dispositivo fue exitoso en 73 (98,6) pacientes; no se requirió conversión quirúrgica en ninguno de ellos. Ningún paciente presentó paraplejía o déficit neurológico. La mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 8,1 por ciento (n = 6). La mediana de seguimiento fue de 33,5 meses (rango 1-79) y la sobrevida global fue del 84 por ciento (IC 69-92 por ciento) y del 91 por ciento (IC 77-97 por ciento), según se incluyese o no la mortalidad temprana. El 93 por ciento (IC 84-97 por ciento) de los pacientes estaban libres de complicaciones relacionadas con el procedimiento. La mayoría de las complicaciones ocurrieron durante el primer año de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente con implante de endoprótesis autoexpandible es factible y seguro. La baja incidencia de eventos en relación con las series quirúrgicas publicadas hace que este procedimiento sea de elección en pacientes seleccionados.

[Endoluminal stent-graft placement for acute dissection of the descending aorta complicated with rupture. Report of one case]. / Tratamiento endoluminal de disección aguda complicada en aorta descendente. Comunicación de un caso.

Acute dissection of the aorta, although not common, has early and highly lethal complications. The type A dissection is treated with surgery. Patients with type B dissections are treated with surgery if they have complications like rupture, growth or visceral ischemia. Surgery, however, has complications such as spinal cord ischemia. Endovascular grafts have less mortality and complications. We report a 59 years old male patient with a type B dissection complicated with rupture. He was treated successfully with the placement of an endoluminal graft. He was discharged five days after the procedure in good conditions. After one year of follow up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

[Splenic artery aneurysm: case report]. / Aneurisma de la arteria esplénica: diagnóstico diferencial y alternativas terapéuticas.

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare and occur predominantly in women. Most of them are asymptomatic until rupture. We report a previously healthy 73 year-old woman who presented with non specific symptoms: dyspepsia and constipation. Laboratory tests were normal. Subsequent examinations (ultrasound and CT) showed a large aneurysm of the splenic artery without any sign of rupture. Endovascular treatment remained successfully performed using coil embolization. During a 12-months follow-up period, the patient was asymptomatic and no evidences of complications or splenic infarction were observed on CT scans.

Massive pulmonary embolism: percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Seven patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) causing cardiac arrest underwent percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) with Hydrolyser and Oasis catheters during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Three received adjunctive recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Thrombectomy was successful in restoring pulmonary perfusion in six patients (85.7%). One patient died of cardiac arrest. Systolic pulmonary pressure decreased after thrombectomy from a median of 73 mm Hg (range, 63-90 mm Hg) to 42 mm Hg (range, 32-81 mm Hg; P < .05). There was one groin hematoma that required blood transfusion. In conclusion, massive PE causing cardiac arrest can be treated with PMT simultaneously with CPR maneuvers to rapidly revert circulatory collapse, with restoration of pulmonary circulation. Larger series are needed to validate this method.

[Pulmonary thromboembolism treated with pharmacological thrombolysis and mechanical fragmentation. Report of one case]. / Tromboembolismo pulmonar con compromiso hemodinámico: tratamiento con trombólisis farmacológica y fragmentación mecánica. Caso clínico.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) has a wide clinical spectrum. It is imperative to detect patients with a high risk to develop right ventricular failure, because this is the main cause of death in patients with massive PE. In this group of patients, invasive therapies to relieve pulmonary obstruction and right ventricle overload should be used as soon as possible. We report a 85 years old male with massive PE treated with pharmacological thrombolysis and mechanical fragmentation with an angioplasty balloon. Pulmonary perfusion improved significantly. Afterwards, systemic anticoagulation was started and an inferior vena cava filter was installed percutaneously. The patient was discharged in good conditions, five days after admission.

Cryoplasty for femoropopliteal arterial disease: late angiographic results of initial human experience.

PURPOSE: A new form of angioplasty, called cryoplasty, was developed to improve the late results typically associated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Cryoplasty combines the dilation force of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with the delivery of cold thermal energy to the vessel wall. This study reports the authors' early clinical experience with cryoplasty in patients with femoropopliteal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with femoropopliteal arterial lesions were treated with cryoplasty (CryoVascular Systems, Los Gatos, CA). Cryoplasty was performed at 6 atm of pressure and delivered at -10 degrees C for 60 seconds. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured at baseline, 24 hours after cryoplasty, and at 1 and 3 months during follow-up. Repeated angiography was performed at 6 and 18 months to determine short-term and late primary patency. RESULTS: Cryoplasty was technically successful in 93% of patients (< 30% residual stenosis and less then grade C dissection). ABIs at baseline were 0.64 +/- 0.08 and improved the day after cryoplasty to 0.95 +/- 0.09 (P < .05). ABIs were well maintained at 1 and 3 months with measurements of 0.94 +/- 0.09 and 0.92 +/- 0.10, respectively (P < .05 vs baseline). Baseline angiographic diameter stenosis improved significantly immediately following cryoplasty (86% +/- 12% to 16% +/- 3%; P < .05). Angiography at 6 months revealed 0% binary restenosis and insignificant change in residual stenosis from the acute cryoplasty results (16 +/- 3% vs 21 +/- 5%; P = NS). Late angiographic follow-up at 14 months +/- 4 demonstrated primary patency of 83.3%. CONCLUSION: Cryoplasty was able to achieve substantial dilation of femoropopliteal lesions with well-preserved late angiographic patency. Cryoplasty represents a potential advance in the field of endovascular medicine.

[Congenital hepatic fibrosis. Report of five cases]. / Fibrosis hepática congénita: un espectro clínico variable. Casos clínicos.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomic dominant disease that has been associated with polycystic kidney disease. AIM: To describe the medical management of 5 children with CHF and to evaluate the presence and extension of the associated renal disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical charts of 5 children with CHF, aged 2 to 14 years. RESULTS: Three children presented autosomic recessive polycystic kidney disease, which was diagnosed before the appearance of liver disease manifestations. They presented a more severe liver damage, with a more aggressive clinical course requiring use of transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunts (TIPS) or surgical porto-systemic shunts to control portal hypertension. The other two children, in whom the diagnosed was based on asymptomatic hepatomegaly, had normal renal function and structure with a more benign clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of CHF should be suspected not only in children with polycystic kidney disease but in those children with persistent, hard consistency, left lobe predominance hepatomegaly.