Chylothorax treatment with thoracic duct embolization

The authors present a case of a patient with non-traumatic right-sided chylothorax which was successfully treated by thoracic duct embolization. The procedure was performed through the cisterna chyli which was visualised by intranodal lymphography. The coils and acrylic tissue glues were used for embolization. The patient has been followed for 5 months and is free of recurrence of chylothorax.

Aneurysm of pancreaticoduodenal arcade caused by medial arcuate ligament syndrome - case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral artery aneurysms are rare vascular pathologies. They are usually incidental findings during the examination for other reasons. The most common clinical symptoms are nonspecific abdominal pain and bleeding caused by their rupture, with a severe clinical presentation. Aneurysms of pancreaticoduodenal arcade are more common in patients with well-developed collateral circulation due to the coeliac trunk stenosis or occlusion. CASE REPORT: In this case report the authors present a rare case of a patient with incidental finding of pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysm in the setting of severe stenosis of coeliac trunk origin caused by medial arcuate ligament compression. The diameter of the aneurysm was 40 mm and endovascular treatment was not possible because of unfavorable anatomical setting. The patient was successfully treated with resection of the aneurysm and the division of medial arcuate ligament during one surgery. CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between the diameter and the risk of rupture of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysm. Because of high morbidity and mortality of their rupture, most authors recommend active treatment of these aneurysms. The necessity to treat truncus coeliacus stenosis or occlusion remains a controversial issue.

Combined endovascular and surgical treatment of symptomatic tandem occlusion of common carotid artery and middle cerebral artery - case repor.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular events are among the most common causes of invalidity or death. The aim of treatment in acute cerebral ischemia is to restore the blood flow before irreversible necrosis of brain tissue and persistent neurologic deficit occur. Pharmacological, endovascular and surgical methods are employed in the treatment of these patients. CASE REPORT: The authors present a case report of a 56-year-old woman with acute cerebral ischemia caused by tandem occlusion of the left common carotid artery and the M1 segment of middle cerebral artery. In the initial phase the patient was treated by intravenous thrombolysis with minimal success. Common carotid artery was occluded and mechanical extraction of embolus was successfully performed through direct carotid bifurcation puncture. Almost complete regression of neurologic deficit occurred after the endovascular recanalization. Occluded common carotid stump and bifurcation was considered as a source of embolization and therefore, to prevent further cerebrovascular event, a subclavian-carotid bypass was performed on the 15th day after the stroke. CONCLUSION: In the reported patient with symptomatic tandem occlusion of common carotid artery and the M1 part of middle cerebral artery, recanalization of cerebral artery was attained by the combination of pharmacological and endovascular method. Consequent subclavian-to-carotid bypass was performed in tertiary prevention of further cerebrovascular event.

[Free-floating thrombus in the internal carotid artery treated by anticoagulation and delayed carotid endarterectomy]. / Volne vlající trombus ve vnitrní karotide lécený antikoagulací a odlozenou chirurgickou endarterektomií vnitrní karotidy.

UNLABELLED: Free-floating thrombus in the internal carotid artery is a rare clinical finding. Only case reports and small cohorts of patients are described in the literature. The authors present a case report of a patient with ischemic stroke due to arterio-arterial embolisation from ulcerated internal carotid artery stenosis with a free-floating thrombus. Initially, the patient was treated with anticoagulants, resulting in total dissolution of the free-floating thrombus based on ultrasound documentation, without any further symptomatic embolisation. Endarterectomy was performed in the second step for the critical stenosis of the internal carotid artery. After this combined treatment, the patient showed no neurological deficit. Currently, the opinion on optimal therapy of the free-floating thrombus in the internal carotid artery still remains unclear. KEY WORDS: free-floating thrombus - anticoagulation internal carotid artery.

[Endovascular treatment of obstetric hemorrhage]. / Endovaskulární lécba krvácení v souvislostis porodem a tehotenstvím.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of hypogastric artery branches embolization in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, hemorrhage associated with cesarean section and termination of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women with intractable bleeding and who were treated by embolization, were included from the period between 1996 to 2010. The retrospective study included 16 women of mean age 30.5 years. RESULTS: Intractable hemorrhage related to regular delivery occurred 7 times, five times after cesarean section and four times after termination of pregnancy. Seven women (44%) were in hemorrhagic shock during therapeutic embolization. Extravazation was angiographically proved in 50% cases. Embolization was successful in hemorrhage control in 87,5% of women, in two women embolization was repeated for persistent bleeding. There were 21 additional surgical procedures performed in 13 women before embolization including 2 hysterectomies. Two hysterectomies were done after embolization because of infection. In remaining 3 women embolization was done as a primary method of bleeding control. No patient died. In the group of 10 women with maximally 1 surgery before embolization length of hospital stay was 10.1 days in average, while in a group of six women having 2 to 3 surgeries before embolization the hospital stay was 21.2 days in average (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Embolization of hypogastric arteries decreases length of hospital stay in patients with obstetric hemorrhage and should be done soon if routine methods of bleeding control fail.

[Survival of patients after TIPS in the University Hospital Hradec Kralove]. / Prezívání nemocných po TIPS ve Fakultní nemocnici Hradec Králové.

AIM: To analyze survival of patients after TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt). PATIENT SAMPLE AND METHODOLOGY: Between September 1992 and August 2010, TIPS was created in 848 patients of the University Hospital Hradec Kralove. These patients were divided into groups. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Differences between groups were evaluated using log-rank test. RESULTS: Ten percent of patients do not survive one month after TIPS, 40% of patients survive 5 years and 20% of patients survive 10 years. There were statistically significant differences between groups divided according to Child-Pugh classification (A vs B p = 0.0053; B vs. C p < 0.0001), indication for surgery [prevention of bleeding recurrence differed from refractory ascites (p = 0.0001) and the indication to stop acute bleeding (p = 0.026)]; aetiology of the liver disease [patients with alcoholic cirrhosis differed from patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (p < 0.0001) and from patients with chronic viral hepatitis (p = 0.024)]. CONCLUSION: Survival of patients after TIPS is influenced by Child-Pugh score, indication and aetiology of the liver disease.

[Late surgical conversion after endovascular treatment of the abdominal aortic aneurysm]. / Pozdní chirurgická konverze po endovaskulární lécbe aneuryzmatu brisní aorty.

The authors present a case report of long- term follow up of 66-year old male with the abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with aortouniiliac stent-graft implantation in combination with the cross-over femoro-femoral bypass 14 years ago. Various leaks type Ia, IIb and III developed during follow-up. In spite of endovascular treatment of these complications the size of the aneurysmal sac enlarged and the patient was successfully treated by the aortobifemoral bypass.

Non-invasive diagnosis of coronary-subclavian steal: role of the Doppler ultrasound.

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a well documented cause of graft function failure in patients after left internal mammary artery (LIMA)--left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery grafting. We present a case of the CSSS in a patient with cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. To our knowledge such a case has not yet been described. Patient with a history of LIMA-LAD grafting, complaining only of a mild chronic exertional dyspnoea developed ventricular fibrillation while walking outdoor. After successful resuscitation, blood pressure difference between both arms and abnormal LIMA flow with systolic reversal flow on the Doppler ultrasonography were suggestive of CSSS. Angiography proved the left subclavian artery (LSA) occlusion and coronary angiography confirmed reversal flow in the LIMA graft. Successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the LSA re-established normal LIMA flow and improved the left ventricular hypokinesis and systolic function.

[Endovascular treatment of spontaneous hemothorax in patient with neurofibromatosis type I]. / Endovaskulárni lécba spontánního hemotoraxu u neurofibromatózy I. typu.

Authors present possibility of endovascular treatment of spontaneous hemothorax in the patient with neurofibromatosis type I. CT angiography was crucial in diagnostic algorithm because revealed false aneurysm of the thyreocervical artery. This artery was embolised with acrylic glue. The patient has been without signs of recurrent bleeding.

[Truncus coeliacus stenosis in duodenopancreatectomy]. / Stenóza truncus coeliacus pri duodenopankreatektomii.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with celiac axis stenosis are asymptomatic due to the rich collateral blood supply through superior mesenteric artery. Ligating and dividing gastroduodenal artery during pancreatoduodenectomy can cause ischemic threat especially to liver, less frequently stomach and spleen, or failure of anastomoses. CASE REPORT: The authors present a case of 27-year-old female who underwent duodenopancreatectomy for pseudopapillary tumour of the head of pancreas. Celiac axis stenosis was found peroperatively and proven during angiography. Although an attempt of endovascular dilatation of celiac axis was unsuccessful, blood supply to the liver was sufficient and therefore we did not perform any other intervention to improve blood flow to the liver. Postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Celiac axis stenosis can be caused by tumour infiltration or lymphadenopathy in malignant disease, atherosclerosis or compression of the median arcuate ligament. The stenosis can be managed by endovascular treatment or arterial reconstruction. In conclusion the authors propose a management algorithm to prevent the consequences of celiac axis stenosis.

[The impact of secondary insertion of ePTFE-coated stent on sustainable TIPS patency]. / Vliv sekundárniho zavedení ePTFE potahovaného stentu na udrzdení pruchodnosti TIPS.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective evaluation of the effect of secondary insertion of ePTFE-coated stent in the treatment of TIPS dysfunction versus other current options (simple angioplasty, insertion of additional non-coated stent). PATIENT SET AND METHODOLOGY: From the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2004, there were 121 interventions for TIPS dysfunction performed in our centre in which a non-coated stent was used to make up the shunt at the time of intervention. Depending on the type of intervention, the patient set was divided in 4 groups: simple angioplasty (52 cases, 43%), insertion of non-coated stent (35 cases, 28.9%), insertion of non-dedicated ePTFE-coated stent (15 cases, 12.4%), and insertion of dedicated ePTFE-coated stent (19 cases, 15.7%). All patients were monitored on a regular basis after the intervention for shunt patency with the use of clinical examination and Doppler ultrasonography, or also portal venography. Primary shunt patency after the intervention was evaluated in all four groups by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The primary shunt patency results after the intervention were compared with the use Cox F text and logrank test. RESULTS: The intervention was successful in 120 cases (the overall technical success rate of all interventions was 99.2%). The primary shunt patency was 49.7 % after 12 months and 25.3 % after 24 months following sole angioplasty intervention; 74.9% after 12 and 64.9% after 24 months following intervention involving the insertion of non-coated stent; 75.2 % after 12 months and 64.5% after 24 months following intervention involving the insertion of non-dedicated ePTFE-coated stent, and 88.1% after 12 months and 80.8% after 24 months following intervention involving the insertion of a dedicated ePTFE-coated stent. A statistically significant improvement in shunt patency was obtained in the group of interventions involving the insertion of dedicated ePTFE-coated stent and in the group of interventions involving the insertion of non-coated stent as compared with the group of interventions involving sole angioplasty (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: From among all the currently used methods of therapeutic intervention for TIPS dysfunction, the best, the best subsequent TIPS patency was obtained after intervention involving insertion of dedicated ePTFE-coated stent.

[Endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis with cerebral protection: 5-year experience]. / Endovaskulární lécba stenóz karotických tepen s pouzitím cerebrální protekce: petileté zkusenosti.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting with cerebral protection is a minimally invasive method for carotid artery stenosis treatment, which may be an alternative to surgical endarterectomy. The aim of our study is to evaluate results of endovascular treatment in patients at high risk of endarterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between years 2001-2006, 210 carotid artery stenoses in 204 patients were treated in our department. Fourty seven percent of patients suffered from symptomatic stenosis, asymptomatic stenosis was proved in 53% of patients. All asymptomatic patients had stenosis more than 70% measured according to NASCET, mostly with contralateral carotid artery occlusion. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in 99% of patients, mortality was 0.49%. Periprocedural embolic complications based on transient ischemic attack were observed in 2.39% of patients, symptoms of minor stroke in 0.47% and symptoms of major stroke in 0.47% of patients. The mortality and disabled morbidity rate in the whole group was 0.96%. One hundred and fifty three patients (73%) were followed up, during this time, 7 patients (3.9%) developed hemodynamically significant restenosis. CONCLUSION: Endovascular carotid artery stenosis treatment with cerebral protection seems to be a safe method of treatment with acceptable short-term results. However, long-term follow-up is needed to get enough data about safety and effectiveness of this method compared to endarterectomy and best medical therapy.

[Penetrating aortic ulcers--case report on endovascular therapy]. / Penetrující aortální vred: kazuistická sdelení endovaskulární lécby.

We report our experience with two cases of endovascular treatment of penetrating aortic ulcers (PAU). The first patient was a 71-year-old woman with 30 mm width aortic ulcer accompanied by intramural hematoma of the descending thoracic aorta. The second patient was an 80-year-old obese woman with 50 mm pseudoaneurysma of the abdominal aorta, which was result of PAU. Both patients were successfully treated by means of tubular stentgraft, implanted from surgical cut down of the right femoral artery. Penetrating aortic ulcer represents localized, potentially lethal pathology of the aorta. Together with dissection and intramural hematoma belongs among the acute aortic syndromes. During nature course PAU can progress to the acute classic dissection, pseudoaneurysma or rupture of the aorta. It is principally disease of elderly hypertensive patients. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy improves prognosis of patients with PAU. Open surgical repair with synthetic graft has been the gold standard of treatment but endovascular therapy is an attractive option in risk elderly patients. It seems to be a safe, effective treatment but stability of results of this method should be proved.

[The role of bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of hemoptysis]. / Postavení embolizace bronchiální tepny v terapii klinicky významné hemoptýzy.

BACKGROUND: Moderate and severe hemoptysis is a potential life-threatening condition which requires immediate medical examination and intervention. AIM: Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of bronchial artery embolization in the management of hemoptysis (over 50 ml per 24 hours) in the university hospital (from 1998 to 2005). METHODS: A retrospective case study. Forty seven consecutive patients with hemoptysis over 50 ml per 24 hours were reviewed and data collected from medical documentation (medical history, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, thorax spiral CT, pulmonary and bronchial angiography). RESULTS: Forty seven patients, 34 men and 13 women aged between 19-87 years, mean age of 57.1 years, were included in this study. All patients had clinically important hemoptysis (more than 50 ml blood in 24 hours), 23 patients 50-200 ml, 14 patients 200-500 ml, 10 patients over 500 ml. Twenty eight patients had reccurent hemoptysis and nineteen patients had the first stage of hemoptysis. Within the study group we recorded the following clinical causes of hemoptysis: 12 COPD with bronchiectasis, 11 pulmonary malignancy, 11 idiopatic hemoptysis, 5 arterioarterial shunts, 3 pneumonia, 2 aspergillomas, 1 posttuberculous scars, 1 pulmonary trauma, 1 pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. All 47 patients underwent angiography. Thirty seven bronchial artery embolizations (BAE) were performed on the side with greater bronchoscopy and CT abnormality. Polyvinyl-alcohol (sponge particles 45-350 pm) or acrylate glue were used as embolizing agents. We did not observe any complication during this procedures (BAE). Immediate success i.e. cessation of hemoptysis was achieved in 36 patients (97%). Follow-up lasted 4-63 months (33 patients). BAE resulted in long-term success i.e. no recurrent hemoptysis for 28 patients (85%). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter bronchial artery embolization is an effective and safe procedure for patients suffering from clinically important hemoptysis. Short-term control of hemoptysis can be achieved in 97% and long-term control in 85% of cases. Bronchial artery embolization is a treatment which can reduce the need for acute thoracic surgery.

Endovascular Management of Acute Embolic Occlusion of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A 12-Year Single-Centre Experience.

PURPOSE: Retrospective evaluation of 12-year experience with endovascular management of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) due to embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2003 to 2014, we analysed the in-hospital mortality of 37 patients with acute mesenteric embolism who underwent primary endovascular therapy with subsequent on-demand laparotomy. Transcatheter embolus aspiration was used in all 37 patients (19 women, 18 men, median age 76 years) with embolic occlusion of the SMA. Adjunctive local thrombolysis (n = 2) and stenting (n = 2) were also utilised. RESULTS: We achieved complete recanalization of the SMA stem in 91.9 %. One patient was successfully treated by surgical embolectomy due to a failed endovascular approach. Subsequent exploratory laparotomy was performed in 73.0 % (n = 27), and necrotic bowel resection in 40.5 %. The total in-hospital mortality was 27.0 %. CONCLUSION: Primary endovascular therapy for acute embolic SMA occlusion with on-demand laparotomy is a recommended algorithm used in our centre to treat SMA occlusion. This combined approach for the treatment of AMI is associated with in-hospital mortality rate of 27.0 %.

[The endovascular treatment of the aortic trauma]. / Endovaskulární lécba traumatického poranení aorty.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta are very frequent during motor vehicle accidents with sudden deceleration. Spiral CT has become the modality of choice for evaluating significant blunt trauma and grading system for aortic injury has been developed. Immediate diagnosis, introduction of antihypertensive therapy and endovascular treatment by means of stentgraft give a better chance for patients with blunt aortic injury. AIM: Prospective evaluation of results of endovascularly treated patients with blunt aortic injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively followed patients after endovascular treatment of acute aortic injury. Diagnosis was based on chest x-ray and CT examination. Stentgrafts were placed under fluoroscopic guidance and patients were routinely followed by CT and clinical visit. RESULTS: Between December 1999 and September 2004 we endovascularly treated seven patients (6 men, 1 woman, mean age 41.7 years) for blunt aortic injury of the thoracic aorta. Stentgraft was implanted between 5 hours and 6 days (mean 3.2 days) after injury. Seven stentgrafts were implanted in 7 patients in total. One patient died due to failure of endovascular technique for collapsed stentgraft. A new onset of lower legs paraparesis was detected in one patient. Other five patients are regularly followed (3-55 months, mean 30.7 months) without any complications. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal technique can be used successfully in the immediate repair of aortic trauma. At present time in our center, treatment by means of the stentgraft placement is the first line therapy in injured patients. It allows rapid stabilization of aortic trauma and further treatment of other injuries.

[Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension]. / Transjugulární intrahepatální portosystémový zkrat (TIPS) pri lécbe symptomatické portálni hypertenze.

BACKGROUND: A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the creation of a percutaneous portosystemic anastomosis which is used as an alternative method of surgical portosystemic shunts and endoscopic treatment in the therapy of complications of portal hypertension. The objective of the present work was to summarize experience with TIPS in 100 patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 1992-1995 the authors treated 100 patients with symptomatic portal hypertension by TIPS. To create the shunt in 84% patients a spiral Z stent was used, in the remainder a Wallstent. In 86% patients the indication for TIPS was haemorrhage associated with portal hypertension and in 14% refractory ascites. TIPS was implemented in 98% patients. The pressure in the portal vela was not reduced on average to 58% of the original value. Haemorrhage was not stopped in one of 7 patients. Haemorrhage from varices reappeared in 7% patients indicated on account of repeated haemorrhage and was always associated with the finding of chronic stenosis of the shunt. The mortality in conjunction with the procedure was 4%, the mortality within 30 days after operation was 8%. Uncontrollable encephalopathy developed in 3% of the patients. Primary patency of the shunt created by the spiral Z stent was 85% after 6 months, after 12 months 72% and thus does not differ from primary patency when Wallstents are used, as reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS is an effective method to reduce the pressure in the portal vein in portal hypertension. The main limiting factor of the method is stenosis of the shunt due to hyperplasia of the neointima. Stenoses of the shunt can be effectively dilated by percutaneous balloon angioplasty.

[Subacute thrombosis of the abdominal aorta with suprarenal involvement and successful treatment with pharmacomechanical fibrinolysis]. / Subakutní trombóza brisní aorty suprarenálne zasahující, úspesne lécená farmakomechanickou fibrinolýzou.

In a 43-year-old patient with Ebstein's anomaly and a history of acute myocardial infarction by means of duplex ultrasonography and aortography the diagnosis of thrombotic occlusion of the a aorta was established, starting above the insertion of the renal arteries and reaching as far as the bifurcation of the aorta and the common iliac arteries. In the clinical picture dominated complete anuria with uraemia and marked hyperkaliaemia as a result of ischaemic affection of the extremities due to thrombosis of the aorta; at the onset of hospitalization also left ventricular failure with hyperhydration and later also signs of the hyperviscous syndrome. The latter developed after repeated haemofiltrations which led to a rise of the originally high haemoglobin and haemotocrit values a result of a righ-left shunt in Ebstein's anomaly. After improvement of the clinical condition local fibrinolytic treatment of the aortal thrombosis with urokinase (total dose 2,160,000 u. administered within 24 hours) was provided. The thrombus with a total length of 13.5 cm was dissolved except for a residual portion of 10 mm located in the area of insertion of the right renal artery. After dissolution of the thrombus it proved possible to restore the blood flow into the left kidney a and lower extremities, but not into the right kidney because of the residual thrombus. Seventy-two hours after terminated fibrinolysis - and after 31 days of anuria - the diuresis was restored and after a polyuric stage normalization of mineral, urea levels was restored and the creatinine value was slightly above the upper normal range. Concurrently with fibrinolytic therapy angioplasty of the aorta was carried out and a stent was placed on the left iliac artery. The clinical condition of the patient was improving, the patient started to mount stairs. Death occurred suddenly and the cause was cardiac failure due to very serious congenital heart disease.

[Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy in the popliteal and calf area--a 4-year experience]. / Perkutánní aspiracní trombektomie v popliteálním a bércovém recisti--4leté zkusenosti.

PURPOSE: Retrospective analysis of results of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) in the popliteal and tibioperoneal arteries in patients with primary and iatrogenic peripheral embolization and during intraarterial thrombolysis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy was used in 41 patients (42 arteries). In 12 cases this method was used as the first choice in treatment of the peripheral artery disease, in 14 cases during intraarterial thrombolysis and 16 times after iatrogenic embolization secondary to balloon angioplasty. An antegrade approach to the common femoral artery was performed in all cases. In 40 patients the aspiration thrombectomy was performed from the popliteal region and proximal parts of tibioperoneal arteries. RESULTS: Overall success (n = 42) was achieved in 67%, partial success in 23%. Aspiration thrombectomy was unsuccessful in. 10%. PAT was successful in 88% after iatrogenic peripheral embolization (n = 16), in patients during thrombolysis (n = 14) a good result was achieved in 40%, partial success in 50% and this method failed in 10%. Primarily performed aspiration thrombectomy (n = 12) in occlusion of peripheral arteries was successful in 50%. No major complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: PAT is a highly effective method in treatment of iatrogenic peripheral embolizations after endovascular procedures and effective accessory method in combination with intraarterial thrombolysis. This method can be used primarily in acute occlusion of distal popliteal artery.

[Surgical interventions in dialysis fistulae]. / Intervencní výkony na dialyzacních pístelích.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and safety of interventional procedures in patients with hemodialysis shunts in retrospective analysis. We report the technical success rate and the midterm primary and secondary patency rate in our patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between April 1996 and May 1999 (35 months) we performed 129 interventional procedures on hemodialysis shunts in 87 patients (40 women and 47 men in age 22-88 years, mean age 67 years). We treated 46 occlusions and 83 stenoses. There were native fistulas--63 radiocephalic fistulas, 7 brachiocephalis fistulas, 1 brachiobasilic fistula, and hemodialysis grafts--14 vein allografts and 2 synthetic PTFE grafts. Indication for fistulography and intervention was decreasing efficacy of hemodialysis (in case of stenosis) or shunt occlusion. Patients were treated by means of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, thrombolysis and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy with hydrolyser or with thrombectomy basket. Stents were placed twice. Once in suboptimal result of local thrombolysis, second time in case of central venous stenosis. Follow up ranged from 0.3 to 35 months (mean 11 months). Nine patients were lost for follow up, 15 patients died during follow up. RESULTS: Overall technical success rate was 84% (108 procedures, n = 129), technical success in cases of occlusion was 57% (27 procedures, n = 46), in stenoses treatment was 98% (81 procedures, n = 83). Overall primary patency rate in 6 months is 40% (n = 59), in 12 months 24% (n = 59) and in 2 years 5% (n = 59). The primary assisted patency rate and secondary patency rate is 95% (n = 59) in 6 months, 88% (n = 59) in one year and 73% (n = 59) in two years. CONCLUSION: Repeated percutaneous interventional procedures in patient with hemodialysis shunts can extent shunt patency. Despite relatively low primary patency rate we can achieved good primary assisted or secondary patency rate in patients with stenoses of shunt.