Interleukin-5 Antagonist Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Improves Symptoms and Reduces Steroid Dependence in Eosinophilic Myocarditis Patients.

Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This case series follows the clinical courses of 3 patients with EM. The use of mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, as an adjunctive treatment was associated with stabilization of cardiac function and improved long-term outcomes.

Reversible cardiomyopathy in a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia treated with decitabine/cedazuridine: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) have shown efficacy in the treatment of hematological malignancies and are indicated for the treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). While the HMA decitabine, in its intravenous formulation, has been used since 2006 for the treatment of CMML, use of its oral formulation has been limited by poor bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism by the enzyme cytidine deaminase. The dose of intravenous decitabine is limited by toxicities such as cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Therefore, cedazuridine was developed as an inhibitor of cytidine deaminase. Cedazuridine decreases the first-pass metabolism of oral decitabine allowing therapeutic levels to be achieved at lower doses, and thus, the novel oral combination of cedazuridine with decitabine was developed. While cardiomyopathy and heart failure are well-established adverse effects associated with intravenous decitabine alone, there to our knowledge there have been no documented incidences of reversible cardiomyopathy in the literature or in patients who participated in the phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials of oral decitabine-cedazuridine. CASE: This case study presents an 85 year-old Caucasian female with CMML who developed cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction after completing 5 cycles of therapy with decitabine/cedazuridine. Furthermore, her symptoms and cardiac function recovered upon discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSIONS: We present an occurrence of reversible cardiomyopathy in a patient who completed 5 cycles of decitabine/cedazuridine, an oral combination therapy developed to enhance oral bioavailability of decitabine thereby limiting its adverse effects. As the decitabine/cedazuridine combination therapy rises in popularity due to its convenient oral formulation, more trials are needed to understand the prevalence of cardiomyopathy with this drug and to discover preventative strategies for cardiotoxic effects.

Access Site Complications and Management of the Transradial Approach for Neurointerventions.

BACKGROUND: The transradial approach has increasingly been used for neurointerventions because of the improved safety profile compared with transfemoral. However, it is important to be aware of potential complications such as radial artery (RA) spasm, RA occlusion, pseudoaneurysm, extravasation, arteriovenous fistula, and wrist hematoma as well as their management. OBJECTIVE: To present our institution's experience with the prevention and management of local access site complications associated with the transradial approach for neuroendovascular interventions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database and identified 1524 consecutive neuroendovascular procedures performed using transradial access from April 2018 to February 2021. RESULTS: Among 1524 procedures, local transradial complications occurred in 1.7%. Major complications occurred at a rate of 1.2% including RA extravasation (0.3%), delayed RA occlusion (0.6%), pseudoaneurysm (0.1%), compartment syndrome (0.1%), infection (0.1%), and avulsion of the RA in 0.1% (1 of 1524) with no serious clinical consequence. Although RA occlusion is included in major complications, all cases were asymptomatic and did not require any intervention. Minor complications occurred at a rate of 0.5% including severe RA spasm (0.3%) and hematoma (0.3%). No patient in the cohort died or suffered from permanent disability from a complication related to the transradial approach. CONCLUSION: Transradial access for neurointervention has a low rate of local complications, particularly when taking appropriate prevention measures. Appropriate management of complications can prevent procedural failure and has low morbidity rates demonstrating the overall safety profile of transradial access even when complications occur.

A comparative study of transradial versus transfemoral approach for flow diversion.

PURPOSE: Data in neurointerventional literature is extremely limited regarding the safety and efficacy of flow diversion using transradial access (TRA). We aim to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of intracranial aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) using TRA compared to transfemoral access (TFA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database and identified 79 consecutive patients who underwent neuroendovascular embolization for cerebral aneurysms using the PED from April 2018 through October 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups: TRA (32 patients) and TFA (47 patients). A comparative analysis was performed between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in postoperative intracranial hemorrhage (p>.99), symptomatic ischemic stroke (p=.512), access site complications (p=.268), or other complications (p=.512). However, there was a significant increase in overall complications (14.9% vs. 0.0%, p=.038) and procedure duration (71.4 min ± 31.2 vs. 58.5 ± 20.3, p=.018) in the TFA group. There was no significant difference in complete occlusion at latest follow-up (19/25, 76.0% vs. 35/40, 87.5%; p=.311), 6-month follow-up (17/23, 73.9% vs. 33/38, 86.8%; p=.303), or 12-month follow-up (8/8, 100.0% vs. 5/6, 83.3%; p=.429). There was also no significant difference in rate of retreatment (p>.99), morbidity (p=.512), mortality (p>.99), latest follow-up (p=.985), or loss of follow-up (p=.298). CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility and efficacy of flow diversion with the PED via TRA for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is comparable to TFA. Widespread adoption of this approach may be facilitated by improvements in device navigation and manipulation via radial-specific engineering.

Endovascular Management of Complex Fenestration-Associated Aneurysms: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study and Review of Existing Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms associated with fenestrations of intracranial arteries are exceptionally rare findings. Management strategies for these aneurysms are not well-defined, especially regarding endovascular treatment. We sought to investigate the strategies and feasibility of endovascular treatment approaches for various fenestration-associated intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 2000 aneurysms treated endovascularly, identifying 8 aneurysms located at arterial fenestrations. The technical details and procedural outcomes were reviewed to identify common management approaches, technical nuances, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: There were 3 (37.5%) aneurysms associated with fenestrations of the basilar artery or vertebrobasilar junction. All 3 were successfully treated with a previously undescribed coil-assisted flow-diversion technique, resulting in complete obliteration. Three (37.5%) aneurysms were associated with fenestrations of the anterior communicating artery. Of those, 2 were successfully treated with stent-assisted coil embolization and 1 with coil embolization alone. One (12.5%) aneurysm was associated with a fenestration of the paraclinoid internal carotid artery and 1 (12.5%) aneurysm found was at the takeoff of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery at a fenestration of the vertebral artery. Both were successfully treated with coil-assisted flow diversion. There were no permanent procedural complications. Major considerations for endovascular management of these aneurysms were the dominance of fenestration trunks, aneurysms arising from the fenestration apex or a fenestration limb, amenability to flow diversion, and anticipation of vascular remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Fenestration-associated aneurysms are very rare. We have identified common factors to help guide decision-making for endovascular approaches and demonstrate successful aneurysm treatment using these methods.

Posterior circulation tandem occlusions: Classification and techniques.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation tandem occlusions are poorly characterized in current literature. Data regarding endovascular approaches and outcomes in this patient subgroup is extremely limited. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database and identified 17 patients with posterior circulation tandem occlusions who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between 2014 and 2019. RESULTS: Of 17 patients with posterior circulation tandem occlusion, the mean age was 55.76 ± 11.8 with 35.3% female. The mean NIHSS score on presentation was 17.2 ± 9.2. Tissue plasminogen activator was administered in 7 (41.2%) patients, stent-retrievers alone were used in 2 (11.8%), aspiration catheters alone were used in 2 (11.8%), a combination was used 12 (70.6%), and a self-expandable stent in 5 (29.4%). The mean number of device passes was 2.24 ± 2.02, recanalization failure occurred in 4 (23.5%) patients, the mean time from stroke onset to puncture was 6.9 ± 2.4 h, and the mean time from puncture to recanalization was 59.3 ± 26.6 min. Postprocedural symptomatic ICH occurred in 1 (5.9 %) patient, periprocedural ICH/SAH occurred in 2 (11.8%), periprocedural distal emboli occurred in 0 (0%), periprocedural vessel dissection occurred in 1 (5.9%), and periprocedural vessel perforation occurred in 1 (5.9%) patient. TICI score>2b was achieved in 13 (76.5%) patients. An improvement in NIHSS>3 at discharge occurred in 10 (58.8%) patients, and good outcomes (mRS score < 2) occurred in 7 (41.2%). The mean length of stay was 11.6 ± 12.2 days, and the mortality rate was 41.2%. CONCLUSION: Endovascular intervention with mechanical thrombectomy is safe and feasible in patients with posterior circulation tandem occlusions.

Access Through the Anatomical Snuffbox for Neuroendovascular Procedures: A Single Institution Series.

BACKGROUND: Distal transradial catheterization in the anatomic snuffbox is an alternate route of access that has started to gain consideration for neuroendovascular procedures. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and outcomes and present our institution's experience in performing neuroendovascular procedures via distal transradial access (dTRA). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis and identified 120 patients who underwent consecutive neuroendovascular procedures via dTRA in the anatomic snuffbox. Data collection was performed on indication for procedure, sheath size, number of vessels selectively catheterized, fluoroscopy time, procedure duration, radiation exposure, conversion to femoral approach, access site complication, and procedure success. RESULTS: Of 120 patients with an average age of 54.7 yr ± 14.7, 73 (60.8%) underwent diagnostic angiograms, 38 (31.7%) underwent follow-up angiograms, and 9 (7.5%) underwent therapeutic procedures. The overall mean number of vessels catheterized was 2.5 ± 0.1 per procedure, the mean procedure time was 68.3 min ± 43.4, the mean fluoroscopy time was 10.8 min ± 7.6, the mean contrast dose was 70.6 mL ± 39.1, and the mean radiation exposure was 27 672.2 mGycm2 ± 42 728.4. Successfully completed therapeutic procedures included aneurysm 1 (0.8%), arteriovenous malformation (AVM)/arteriovenous fistula/carotid cavernous fistula 7 (5.8%), and 1 (0.8%) other treatment. Three patients (2.5%) required adjunct transfemoral endovenous access for AVM embolization. Two minor complications (1.67%) were a local wrist hematoma and a radial artery vasospasm without any sequelae. CONCLUSION: Distal radial artery catheterization in the anatomic snuffbox is a safe and effective access site to perform neuroendovascular procedures. Complications and conversion rate are low making it a safe alternative.

Coil Embolization of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms via Shouldering and Framing: A Safe Alternative to Conventional Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: Double stent-assisted coiling of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) can be technically challenging with high thromboembolic rates. Single stent-assisted coiling (SSAC) decreases procedural complexity and thromboembolic risk but increases risk of coil prolapse and recanalization. In this study, we present our institution's experience with SSAC of WNBA performed via a "shouldering" and "framing" with a single Atlas stent and a spherical 3-dimensional (3D) Stryker coil. METHODS: A retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent SSAC of WNBA performed via a shouldering and framing with a single Atlas stent and a spherical 3D Stryker coil from 2018 to 2019. Data collection were performed on baseline demographics, clinical presentation, aneurysm characteristics, angiographic and functional outcomes, and perioperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 35 patients, the mean age was 59.9 ± 11.6 years and 25/35 (71.4%) were women. The mean aneurysm diameter was 6.3 ± 3.4 mm, the mean neck size was 3.9 ± 1.3 mm, and the mean dome-to-neck ratio was 1.5 ± 0.6. Initial complete/near-complete occlusion was demonstrated in 30/35 (85.7%) patients. On angiographic follow-up at a mean of 6 months, 9/24 (37.5%) patients showed progressive thrombosis, 13/24 (54.2%) showed stable occlusion, and 2/24 (8.5) showed recanalization. Thromboembolic events occurred in 2/35 (5.7%) patients, intraoperative technical complications occurred in 2/35 (5.7%) patients, and access-site complications occurred in 2/35 (5.7%) patients. The were no cases of retreatment, rehemorrhage, or procedural-related permanent morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization performed via shouldering with a single Atlas stent and framing with a spherical 3D Stryker coil is a feasible, safe, and effective neuroendovascular treatment for WNBAs.