Early experiences of intraoperative ultrasound guided angioplasty of the arterial stenosis during upper limb arteriovenous fistula creation.

In recent years the high prevalence of diabetes and atherosclerosis in elderly uremic patients starting hemodialysis (HD) has led to the increase in the risk of vascular access (VA) failure caused by pre-existing arterial diseases, including both VA slow maturation and early failure, and upper limb ischemic symptoms. Recently, in performing radial (R), brachial (B) and ulnar (U) artery (A) percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in HD patients affected by access thrombosis, with insufficient blood flow and severe upper limb ischemia, good outcomes have been reported. Nevertheless, these procedures were performed after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. About 2 years ago, we approached an intra-operative ultrasound-guided transluminal angioplasty (IUTA) performed during AVF creation, using the arterial incision, necessary because of the anastomosis, to introduce the necessary devices for the IUTA. The arterial stenosis having undergone IUTA was diagnosed by a preliminary ultrasound examination. Ultrasound guidance during the procedure is necessary for correct balloon location in the stenosis site. We treated seven patients (four diabetics), mean age 76 + 5 yrs. In all cases, the radial arteries because of hyposphygmia, were unfit for AVF creation. Four distal radio-cephalic AVFs at the wrist were created in patients 1, 3, 4 and 5; in the other three patients (2, 6 and 7), with failure or thrombosis of previous distal AVFs, an immediately upstream anastomosis was performed. In all cases, first, the area selected to perform the AV anastomosis was exposed, then the AR was incised, and the introductory metallic guide wire and the angioplasty catheter (with dimensions decided after PUS), were introduced. The balloon was inflated to 8-13 atm for 30-35 sec. In two patients a stent was also positioned. Later, a side-to-side AVF was created, closing the distal venous vessel. Patient follow-up ranged from 6-22 months. The ultrasound evaluation after IUTA showed the correction of all the stenosis treated. AVF maturation was good, except for the stented ones, which were inadequate. In conclusion, our early experience shows IUTA could be an adequate and effective procedure allowing the use of the stenotic arteries (otherwise unsuitable) for AVF creation. In our experience, stenting after IUTA does not add any other advantages.

Ultrasound guided brachial arterial angioplasty during the creation of a radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula: a case report.

UNLABELLED: To prevent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) early failure, due to radial or brachial artery stenosis, ultrasound guided angioplasty performed while surgically creating the AVF could be an effective procedure. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old diabetic male patient, on hemodialysis (HD) for 15 months, presented extensive thrombosis of the radio-cephalic AVF at the right arm, which had lasted for about 10 days. Ultrasound examination showed a 40% brachial artery stenosis with eccentric calcified plaque. The stenosis was localized about 1.5 cm before the artery bifurcation. The brachial artery diameter was 0.45 cm before and 0.26 cm at the level of the stenosis, the latter being 0.45 cm long. At the left wrist, under local anesthesia, the radial artery and the cephalic vein were exposed; the radial artery was then longitudinally incised for 7-8 mm in the area selected to create the AVF. A 6 Fr introducer, a metallic guide wire and a catheter for angioplasty were inserted one after the other in the radial artery. When the correct position of the angioplasty catheter in the stenotic area was established by ultrasound examination, the balloon was blown up to 13 atm for 35 sec, reducing the stenosis from 40-20%. Finally, a side-to-side radio-cephalic fistula was created, legating the distal vein. The AVF was used for HD after 3 weeks. The follow-up at 6 months demonstrated fair access performance and it was used without problems. Our satisfactory experience suggests that ultrasound guided angioplasty of brachial artery stenosis, performed simultaneously with surgical AVF creation, is possibly a successful procedure. This technique reduces the risk of early AVF failure and also allows, when required, stent implantation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes. An interim report.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been demonstrated that erythropoietin increases hemoglobin levels in anemia secondary to chronic renal failure. Some recent experiences have suggested a possible role in the treatment of anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS AND RESULTS: From April, 1990 to March, 1991, 16 patients (11 males and 5 females, median age 58.5 years) affected by low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) to ameliorate Hb levels and reduce transfusional requirement. All patients received high doses of rHuEPO (400 U/Kg s.c. twice weekly for 3 months). A partial response, defined as a stable increase in Hb levels > 1g/dL and/or a reduction in transfusional need > 50% lasting at least 3 months, was achieved by 5/16 patients. Those who responded received an additional course of treatment with rHuEPO at an increased dosage (600 U/Kg twice weekly for 3 months), and one of these five showed a progressive rise in Hb level up to normalization, while the other 4 remained stable. The treatment was well tolerated and no adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that some patients with MDS may benefit from rHuEPO treatment.

Is recombinant human erythropoietin treatment in myelodysplastic syndromes worthwhile?

It has been recently demonstrated that erythropoietin increases the haemoglobin levels in anemia secondary to chronic renal failure. Moreover some recent experiences also suggested a possible role in the treatment of MDS. From April 1990 to April 1992, 23 patients (16 males and 7 females, median age 63.5 years) affected with low risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) to ameliorate Hb levels and transfusional requirement. All patients received high doses of rHuEPO (800 U/Kg weekly s.c. in 2-3 divided doses, for 3 months). A complete remission, defined as stable normalization of Hb level, was achieved in 1/23 patients. This patient had refractory anemia, by FAB criteria. A partial response, defined as stable increase of Hb levels > or = 1 g/dl and/or reduction of transfusional requirement > or = 50% lasting at least 3 months, was achieved in 7/23 patients. Patients with a partial response received rHuEPO at increased dosages (1200 U/Kg weekly s.c. 2-3 times): 1/7 achieved a complete response, 4/7 remained stable and 2/7 decreased to pre-therapy Hb value. These results suggest that rHuEPO may be a promising therapeutic tool for some MDS patients.