Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of great saphenous venous insufficiency using a newly developed VENISTAR catheter: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess the preliminary outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a newly developed catheter (VENISTAR) for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). METHODS: In this prospective observational study, endovenous RFA using a VENISTAR catheter was performed on 16 saphenous veins in 12 patients between August and November 2019. Patients' pre- and post-procedural data were recorded. Doppler ultrasound imaging and clinical evaluation were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months to determine the efficacy and safety of the treatment. RESULTS: Technical success and complete closure of the targeted GSVs immediately after the procedure were observed in all 16 limbs (100%). However, one patient (one limb) was found to have partial occlusion without significant reflux after 1 week of follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded a complete occlusion rate of 93% at 6 months of follow-up. The Venous Clinical Severity Scores at the time of all follow-up were significantly lower than those at baseline (3.3 ± 1.1 at baseline to 0.6 ± 0.6, 0.3 ± 0.6, 0.1 ± 0.4, and 0.2 ± 0.4 at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively) (p < .001). Mild post-procedural pain was noted in 7 and 4 limbs at 1 week and 1 month, respectively. Grade 1 ecchymosis over the ablated segment was noted in 5 (35.7%) of 14 limbs at 1-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovenous treatment of GSV insufficiency using a new VENISTAR radiofrequency catheter has been shown to be feasible, effective, and safe throughout the 6-month follow-up.

Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Quick-Soluble Gelatin Sponge Particles for Genicular Artery Embolization for Chronic Knee Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of genicular artery embolization (GAE) using quick-soluble gelatin sponge particles (QS-GSPs) to alleviate chronic knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 71 patients (97 procedures, including 26 patients for both knees) who underwent GAE to treat osteoarthritic knee pain between August 2019 and January 2022. QS-GSPs were used for all the procedures. Technical success was defined as the embolization of at least 1 feeding artery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Clinical success was defined as a decrease in the VAS score of >50%. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% (97 of 97). The mean VAS scores at baseline, immediately after TAE, and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after TAE were 6.3, 4.3, 5.0, 3.0, 2.9, 2.9, and 2.8, respectively. The clinical success rate was 72% (70 of 97 patients) at 6 months. No major adverse events were reported, and temporary skin color change (50.5%, 49 of 97) and hematoma at the puncture site (10.3%, 10 of 97) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: GAE using QS-GSPs had a high technical success rate and was considered safe. Clinical outcomes using QS-GSPs were comparable with those of existing materials.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Structural MRI in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer Disease: Automated Volumetric Assessment Versus Visual Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacies of an automated volumetric assessment tool and visual assessment in the evaluation of medial temporal lobar atrophy in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease (AD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients with mild-to-moderate AD and 25 age-matched healthy control subjects undergoing MRI with a 3D fast spoiled gradient recalled-echo sequence at 3 T. The images were processed with fully automated volumetric analysis software. To assess medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy, two MTL indexes, which took into account the volumes of the hippocampus and the inferior lateral ventricle, were calculated with the automated volumetric assessment software. In addition, two neuroradiologists assessed MTL atrophy visually using the Scheltens scale. ROC curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic performances of the two methods. The weighted kappa statistic was used to assess the intrarater and interrater reliability of visual inspection. RESULTS: The automated volumetric assessment tool had moderate sensitivity (63.3%) and high specificity (100%) in differentiating patients with mild-to-moderate AD from control subjects. Visual inspection showed sensitivity of 63.3% and specificity of 92.0%. The diagnostic performance was not significantly different between the two methods (p = 0.536-0.906). Intraobserver reliability for visual inspection was 0.858 and 0.902 for the two reviewers, and interobserver reliability was 0.692-0.780. CONCLUSION: Both the automated volumetric assessment tool and visual inspection can be used to evaluate MTL atrophy and differentiate patients with AD from healthy individuals with good diagnostic accuracy. Thus, the automated tool can be a useful and efficient adjunct in clinical practice for evaluating MTL atrophy in the diagnosis of AD.

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation using a new bipolar electrode in a canine model: a new endovenous radiofrequency electrode.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of a newly developed endovenous radiofrequency (RF) catheter compared with that of the existing RF catheter in a canine model. Methods: Seven dogs underwent ablation using 1 control catheter (ClosureFAST, CF; Covidien) and 1 experimental catheter (VENISTAR, VS; STARmed Co., Ltd.) in the femoral and cephalic veins. The ablated vein was evaluated macroscopically (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, TTC), microscopically (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and ultrasonographically. Vessel injury score was used to evaluate the ablating effect objectively. Veins from 1 dog were evaluated on the day of ablation, while in the remaining 6 dogs, the ablated veins were evaluated 2 weeks later. Results: A total of 23 veins (CF, 11 veins; VS, 12 veins) were ablated in 7 dogs. Non-TTC-stained vein wall areas were identified in all ablated veins. No significant difference was observed in the mean vessel injury score (2.54 ± 1.16 vs. 2.42 ± 1.13, P = 0.656) and the mean vessel wall thickness (0.32 ± 0.03 mm vs. 0.31 ± 0.05 mm, P = 0.212) between CF and VS. There was no blood flow in all veins ablated with VS, whereas there was remaining blood flow in 1 vein ablated with CF. Perivenous complication was not observed. Conclusion: Endovenous RF ablation using a newly developed VS RF catheter seems to provide comparable occlusion rate and degree of vein wall injury without perivenous adverse events compared to the most commonly used RF catheter (CF).

Hydrophilic guidewire usage under ultrasound guidance in facilitating catheter advancement during endovenous treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins.

PURPOSE: This study was performed To investigate the use of hydrophilic guidewires for facilitating catheter advancement during varicose vein treatment using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or cyanoacrylate closure (CAC). METHODS: From March 2016 to April 2019, 463 limbs of 285 with incompetent great saphenous veins were subjected to RFA (321 limbs of 197 patients) or CAC (142 limbs of 88 patients). Procedure records were reviewed for the use of a hydrophilic guidewire, reason for the guidewire usage, and diameter of the guidewire. RESULTS: A hydrophilic guidewire was used to facilitate catheter advancement to treat 92 of 463 limbs (19.9%). For RFA, a guidewire was used to treat 53 of 321 limbs (16.5%). Among them, 15 limbs (28.3%) had vasospasm, and 38 limbs (71.7%) had venous tortuosity. For CAC, guidewire was used for 39 of 142 limbs (27.5%). Among them, 10 limbs (25.6%) had vasospasm, 23 limbs (59.0%) had venous tortuosity, and 6 limbs (15.4%) had repeated engagement of a J-tip guidewire into the varicose tributaries. In CAC, the frequency of hydrophilic guidewire usage was higher than that in RFA (P = 0.006). All varicose vein treatment sessions were technically successful. CONCLUSION: Hydrophilic guidewire usage could facilitate catheter advancement when hindered by vasospasm, tortuosity of the saphenous vein, or repeated engagement into the varicose tributaries.

Safety and efficacy of Mynx vascular closure device for the closure of common femoral artery access after ipsilateral stent placement.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the Mynx vascular closure device (VCD) for arteriotomy closure after stent placement near the common femoral artery (CFA) access site. METHODS: A total of 88 patients (73 men; mean age, 72 ± 9.2 years; 136 procedures) who underwent closure of CFA arteriotomy using the Mynx VCD after stent placement in proximal superficial femoral artery (SFA) with antegrade approach, or in common or external iliac artery with retrograde approach were retrospectively studied. Technical success and access site complication were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI), platelet count, international normalized ratio, prior history of ipsilateral CFA access, access direction, degree of CFA calcification, stent location and diameter, total procedure time, and sheath size were analyzed to evaluate their relationship with technical failure and development of bleeding complications. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 94.9% (129/136) patients. The mean time to hemostasis was 0.7 ± 1.8 min. Technical failure was significantly associated with low BMI (p = 0.001). Other variables presented no significant relationship with technical failure and development of complications. Ultrasonography on the day after the procedure revealed that 8 (5.9%) patients had hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Mynx VCD for arteriotomy closure is feasible and provides hemostatic safety after stent placement near antegrade or retrograde CFA access. However, Mynx VCD may have a poor technical success rate among patients with low BMI.

Ultrasonography-guided antegrade common femoral artery approach: Factors associated with access time.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ultrasonography-guided antegrade common femoral artery puncture and subsequent superficial femoral artery access without the aid of fluoroscopy. Factors that could affect access time were also assessed. METHODS: A total of 294 cases from 218 consecutive patients (163 men, 55 women; mean age: 66.9 ± 12.7 years) who underwent lower extremity endovascular procedures were retrospectively evaluated. The time between the injection of local anesthetic and the insertion of the microsheath into the superficial femoral artery was measured. The common femoral artery diameter, cutis thickness, distance between arterial puncture site and common femoral artery bifurcation, degree of common femoral artery calcification, body mass index, and history of previous access were investigated to assess their relationship with access time. Furthermore, all cases were assessed with ultrasonography for access-site complications before discharge. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 293 of 294 procedures (99.7%). The mean time for superficial femoral artery access was 1.9 ± 0.8 min (range, 0.7-3.7 min). Additional fluoroscopic guidance was needed in one case. There were moderately positive correlations of body mass index (r = 0.75; p < 0.001) and cutis thickness (r = 0.58; p < 0.001) with access time. The other variables failed to reveal significant correlations with access time. Five groin hematomas occurred after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Complications such as pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, or retroperitoneal hematoma were not observed. CONCLUSION: Antegrade common femoral artery puncture with subsequent superficial femoral artery access conducted solely under ultrasonography guidance was feasible and safe. In addition, the antegrade access time showed positive correlations with body mass index and cutis thickness.

Feasibility and short-term complication rate of mechanochemical ablation for epifascial tributaries of incompetent great saphenous veins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of skin complications after mechanochemical ablation with the ClariVein device (Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah) for incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs) and compare the results in terms of the target vein characteristics, especially in the presence of an epifascial GSV tributary. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was performed. We reviewed 33 limbs of 32 patients with GSV insufficiency who had undergone mechanochemical ablation with the ClariVein device from December 2017 to February 2020. The 33 limbs were divided into two groups: the epifascial group, comprising 11 limbs of 11 patients, and the nonepifascial group, comprising 22 limbs of 21 patients. The patients underwent postoperative follow-up examinations at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The skin complication counts and scores on a four-point scale were recorded. RESULTS: Regarding the baseline characteristics, the epifascial group showed a significantly lower GSV depth in the distal thigh region compared with the nonepifascial group (2.64 ± 0.5 mm vs 7.05 ± 2.57 mm; P < .001). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the sclerosant (sodium tetradecyl sulfate) volume (5.45 ± 2.02 mL vs 6.59 ± 1.79 mL; P = .109) or ablation length (31.82 ± 3.92 cm vs 32.95 ± 4.05 cm; P = .449). All ClariVein procedures were technically successful (33 of 33 limbs; 100%), and no major complications were reported. The hyperpigmentation score was significantly greater in the epifascial group than in the nonepifascial group (score, 0.18 ± 0.4 vs 0 ± 0; P = .0401), although the hyperpigmentation count was not significantly different between the two groups (2 of 11 limbs [18.2%] vs 0 of 22 limbs [0.0%]; P = .1042). Although marginally higher counts and scores were observed in terms of phlebitis and bruising in the epifascial group, these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Endovenous treatment with the ClariVein device for incompetent GSVs can be performed safely. However, caution should be exercised when the epifascial GSV tributary is treated during the ClariVein procedure because of its predilection to result in hyperpigmentation.

Management of Complications during Below-the-Knee Endovascular Treatment: A Technical Note.

We retrospectively reviewed the cases in which complications occurred during below-the-knee (BTK) endovascular treatments that were performed at our hospital from 2005 to 2014. Several interesting cases have been described herein. All the patients had diabetes and non-healing wounds on their feet and/or rest pain in their foot or leg, and therefore, endovascular treatment was performed for the BTK arteries of the affected lower extremity. The complications that occurred during the procedure were classified into six categories-vascular spasm, flow limiting dissection, perforation, broken guidewire, distal thromboembolism, and unusual puncture site bleeding. Each complication has its own solutions and management. We discuss these different classes of complications and describe how cases of each type were managed.

Inter-Vendor and Inter-Session Reliability of Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Implications for Multicenter Clinical Imaging Studies.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-vendor and inter-session reliability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and relevant parameters. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 10 healthy subjects (5 women and 5 men; age range, 25-33 years). Each subject was scanned twice using 3T magnetic resonance scanners from three different vendors at two different sites. A voxel-wise statistical analysis of diffusion data was performed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values were calculated for each brain voxel using FMRIB's Diffusion Toolbox. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant differences in FA values across the vendors or between sessions; however, there were significant differences in MD values between the vendors (p = 0.020). Although there were no significant differences in inter-session MD and inter-session/inter-vendor RD values, a significant group × factor interaction revealed differences in MD and RD values between the 1st and 2nd sessions conducted by the vendors (p = 0.004 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: Although FA values exhibited good inter-vendor and inter-session reliability, MD and RD values did not show consistent results. Researchers using DTI should be aware of these limitations, especially when implementing DTI in multicenter studies.

Estimation of hepatic fat fraction using modified Dixon magnetic resonance imaging techniques: effect of liver cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate modified Dixon MRI techniques in hepatic fat estimation and to assess the effect of cirrhosis. METHODS: 235 patients who underwent liver MRI were included. Correlation between modified Dixon techniques with MRS was assessed. Accuracy of MR techniques in hepatic fat estimation was calculated, and the result was compared between patients with/without liver cirrhosis. RESULTS: Correlation between modified Dixon and MRS was better in group without liver cirrhosis, and accuracy of modified Dixon method was higher in group without liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Dixon techniques estimate hepatic fat fraction noninvasively, but the result can be influenced by the presence of liver cirrhosis.