Utilizing the balloon anchoring technique to improve device deliverability during stent revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: The stent revascularization for severely calcified renal artery lesions can be challenging, due to a deficiency in back-up force provided by the guide catheter. The aim of this report is to describe the use of the balloon anchoring technique to increase device maneuverability and deliverability after the failure of conventional renal artery revascularization. TECHNICAL NOTE: This technique was adopted in a patient with subtotal occlusive and severely calcified lesion in the proximal portion of the right main renal artery. Two guidewires were separately introduced into the proximal side branch (SB) and main branch (MB) of the renal artery. Anchor balloon inflated at low pressure in SB, anchoring the MB-wire and the guide catheter, thus giving us the ability to cross the tight calcified proximal cap of the MB lesion with a non-compliant balloon. After performing pre-dilatations and retrieving the anchor balloon, we implanted a balloon-expandable stent and achieved optimal final angiographic results. CONCLUSIONS: The balloon anchoring technique can improve device maneuverability and deliverability during various catheterization procedures. Our report firstly demonstrates how to perform the balloon anchoring technique in renal angioplasty treatment and then explains its effectiveness in revascularization of the renal artery with challenging anatomies.

Balloon-Expandable Pulmonary Valves for Patched or Native Right Ventricular Outflow Tracts.

The implantation of percutaneous balloon expandable valves in native or patched right ventricular outflow tracts (nRVOT) is a challenging technique due to the diversity of anatomies and shapes, the large sizes, and the distensibility of the nRVOT, for which specific techniques have been developed. We present a single center experience with balloon expandable percutaneous pulmonary valves in nRVOT, describing the techniques used, complications observed, and a short-mid term follow-up.. This is a single center descriptive study of patients who underwent a percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation in a nRVOT with a balloon expandable pulmonary valve in our center between September 2012 and June 2022.. We implanted successfully 45 valves in 46 patients (20 Sapien and 25 Melody). Tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia with VSD were the main congenital heart disease (n = 32). All were pre-stented, 18 in a one step procedure. We used a Dryseal sheath in 13/21 Sapien. In 6 patients we used the anchoring technique, 5 with a very large nRVOT and one pyramidal nRVOT. In the 3.5 year follow-up 7 patients developed endocarditis and 3 required a valve redilation, no fractures were observed. PPVI of native RVOT with balloon expandable valves is feasible in a number of selected anatomies, including large or pyramidal nRVOT, using specific techniques, (presenting, LPA anchoring).

Safety and usefulness of a novel short track sliding balloon catheter.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and technical utility of the short track sliding (STS) balloon catheter. BACKGROUND: An STS balloon catheter is designed to ensure a low profile at the shaft and perform distal anchoring using a single guidewire. However, its clinical practice with the STS balloon catheter has not been reported. METHODS: This prospective multi-center registry enrolled 100 patients with significant coronary artery disease who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention using an STS balloon catheter at three hospitals in Korea from March 2019 to July 2020. Overall safety was assessed as any occurrences of device-related malfunction during the pre-dilation of the lesions. Its technical success rates of the kissing balloon technique or the distal anchoring technique using a single guidewire were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 118 lesions pre-dilated using the STS balloon, no significant complication was observed except for three significant coronary dissections, which were completely covered with stents. There was no incidence of balloon catheter malfunction, such as fracture, entrapment, or perforation. With 13 attempts of kissing ballooning techniques with the STS balloon with a 6F guiding catheter, all cases were successful. The distal anchoring techniques were attempted in 10 cases, the stent was successfully crossed to the target lesion in all 10 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The novel STS balloon catheter can be safely applied in routine coronary intervention with minimal complications. In addition, this catheter could be useful for performing the kissing balloon technique with a small-caliber guiding catheter and distal anchoring technique with a single guidewire.

Ultrashort-Segment Embolization of High-Flow Vessels Using a Coil Packing Technique in an Amplatzer Vascular Plug.

PURPOSE: To report an experimental study and clinical case using a coil packing technique that hastens occlusion of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug 1 (AVP1) in short-segment embolization of high-flow target vessels. TECHNIQUE: An experimental vascular stenosis model was made of 12-mm soft polyvinyl chloride tubing. Under continuous pulsatile flow, a 12-mm AVP1 was deployed in the 4-mm-diameter stenosis. Before detachment of the AVP1, a 2.2-F microcatheter was inserted into the AVP1 through its mesh via a 6-F delivery guiding sheath in parallel with the delivery wire. Hydrogel microcoils were deployed tightly in the AVP1 and the plug was detached. After the procedure, the pulsatile saline flow was nearly obliterated. In the first clinical case, a 64-year-old man with a thoracic aortic stent-graft and single vessel debranching for type B aortic dissection developed a residual type II endoleak via the left subclavian artery. This coil packing technique in an AVP1 was employed to successfully embolize the leak. CONCLUSION: Based on the experimental study and the first experience in vivo, tight coil packing of an AVP1 might be a robust technique for ultrashort-segment embolization.

Modified posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy for lateral cervical disc herniation: the vertical anchoring technique.

PURPOSE: During the long-term practice of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) at our institution, we have modified the protocol to include the vertical anchoring technique (VAT), which we will describe in detail in this article. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes associated with the conventional posterior PECD technique with that associated with the modified technique to determine the safety and efficacy of the latter technique. METHODS: From December 2014 to January 2016, a total of 44 patients with single cervical disc herniation were randomly divided into two groups. One group underwent conventional posterior PECD, and the other group underwent posterior PECD combined with VAT. The operative time, fluoroscopy times and perioperative complications were recorded. The visual analog scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain and the modified MacNab criteria at 1 day, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery were used to evaluate the postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery successfully without severe complications. The operative time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times were significantly less in patients treated with VAT than in those who underwent conventional posterior PECD (P < 0.05). Both types of surgery significantly improved the symptoms of patients. According to the results of the follow-up period, there were no significant differences in VAS scores for neck and arm pain or the modified MacNab criteria between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no recurrence in either group during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Although the clinical outcomes of the two surgical techniques were similar, the VAT decreased the operative time and intraoperative fluoroscopy times in posterior PECD surgery. The learning curve for posterior PECD could be shortened by using the VAT. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

An Innovative Anchoring Technique for Anterior Transfer of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon.

Favorable results have been reported for tibialis posterior tendon transfers, which can effectively restore the dorsiflexion of the ankle and normal heel-to-toe gait. However, the commonly used methods for anchoring the transplanted tendon have some drawbacks. Therefore, we developed a new tendon-anchoring method to improve fixation of the transferred tendon and reduce the related complications. The new method entails tying the anchoring suture to the navicular bone instead of the button on the plantar foot to avoid wound complications. It requires no additional skin incisions or special equipment. We retrospectively evaluated 24 feet of 19 pediatric patients (13 [68.4%] females and 6 [31.6%] males) who had undergone anterior transfer of the tibialis posterior tendon with our new method from 2000 to 2013. All patients were clinically followed up. At the final follow-up visit, they were evaluated while standing and walking, and the range of motion of the foot was evaluated. The mean age at surgery was 7.8 (range 2 to 16) years. At the longest follow-up point, all the patients exhibited improved gait, except for 1 patient who required a secondary procedure. All the transferred tibialis posterior tendons could be palpated with certainty during active dorsiflexion or withdrawal of the foot. No tendon displacements, wound infections, or postoperative complications were observed. Fixation of a transferred tibialis posterior tendon by tying the suture to the navicular bone is simple and reliable. This technique can efficiently prevent the plantar ulcers that can develop with the traditional pull-out button method and provides a solution when appropriate-size bioabsorbable interference screws are unavailable.

A Challenging Case of Stent Dislodgement During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Complicated by Peripheral Embolization.

We report a challenging case of stent dislodgement for a 49-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease and insulin-dependent diabetes undergoing an elective coronary angiogram for cardiac risk stratification before kidney transplant surgery. A diagnostic transradial coronary angiogram was performed showing two severe type A lesions to the proximal and distal left circumflex artery (LCx). While attempting to stent the proximal LCx, the stent dislodged to the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The stent was successfully retrieved from the LMCA via the transradial route using the small balloon anchoring technique. Unfortunately, while attempting to retrieve the stent-balloon assembly, the stent was accidentally stripped off the balloon embolizing to the right superior gluteal artery. Given the stable location, no attempt was made to retrieve the stent and the patient had no complications on follow-up. This case highlights the challenges in managing coronary stent loss including risk factors for stent dislodgement, methods to retrieve the stent, and the risk of stent embolization.

Clinical evaluations of alveolar ridge preservation in compromised extraction sockets with cortical-lamina anchoring technique: Case series study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes of alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in the compromised extraction sockets using autogenous cortical-lamina anchoring technique (CAT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients were treated with ARP in the compromised extraction sockets by applying CAT. Then implant placement and crown delivery was performed. A planned follow-up was performed by analyzing various outcome measures to evaluate the clinical outcomes, including primary outcome measures [radiographic assessment of residual alveolar ridge height (RARH) and residual alveolar ridge width (RARW)] and secondary outcome measures [clinical assessment of the healing of the soft and hard tissue, survival rates of implants, marginal bone loss (MBL) evaluation of implants, buccal bone thickness (BBT), and esthetic treatment outcomes]. RESULTS: Among the 20 patients, 17 were consecutively treated and 3 dropped out after implant crown delivery because of loss to follow-up. After the ARP, the initial RARH (12.37 mm) significantly increased to 19.29 mm (P < .05). No significant difference was detected in the RARW before (7.92 ± 1.18 mm) and after (7.92 ± 1.18 mm) the ARP, but reduce to 6.99 ± 1.18 mm at the implant placement and 6.64 ± 0.77 mm at the 3-year follow-up (P < .05). The MBL at the implant crown delivery (0.13 ± 0.12 mm) significantly increased to 0.31 ± 0.14 mm at 1-year follow-up and 0.56 ± 0.23 mm at 3-year follow-up, respectively. The bone loss was limited (<1 mm) but statistically significant (P < .05). The BBT at the implant placement (2.53 ± 0.56 mm) significantly reduced to 2.23 ± 0.44 mm at implant crown delivery and 2.14 ± 0.40 mm at 3-year follow-up, respectively. The bone loss was also limited (<0.5 mm) but statistically significant (P < .05). Each implant site showed acceptable aesthetic outcome and the average score was 16.4. The incisions healed uneventful in all patients and the implant survival rate was 100% during the 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Autogenous CAT was successfully applied to preserve the height and width of alveolar ridge in the compromised extraction sockets.

A novel intracranial exchange guidewire improves the navigation of various endovascular devices: An in vitro study of challenging situations.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroendovascular procedures rely on successful navigation and stable access to the target vessel. The Stabilizer is a 300 cm long exchange wire with a 0.014 diameter and a soft, flexible stent at the distal end designed to assist with navigation and device delivery. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Stabilizer for navigation in a variety of challenging environments. METHODS: The efficacy of the Stabilizer was evaluated using three challenging vascular models: a giant aneurysm model, a severe tortuosity model, and an M1 stenosis model. The Stabilizer was compared with a conventional wire during navigation in each model. RESULTS: In the giant aneurysm model, there was no significant difference of success during straightening of a looped wire and significantly higher success rates when advancing an intermediate catheter with the Stabilizer beyond the aneurysm neck compared to a conventional guidewire. The Stabilizer also significantly increased success rates when advancing an intermediate catheter through a model with severe tortuosity compared to a conventional guidewire, as well as exchange maneuver for intracranial stenting in a stenosis model compared to an exchange wire. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental model, the Stabilizer significantly improved navigation and device delivery in a variety of challenging settings compared to conventional wires.

Effect of mesh anchoring technique in uterine prolapse repair surgery: A finite element analysis.

The female pelvic cavity involves muscles, ligaments, endopelvic fasciae and multiple organs where different pathologies may occur, namely the pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The synthetic implants are used for the reconstructive surgery of POP, but severe complications associated with their use have been reported, mainly related to their mechanical properties (e.g., implant stiffness) and microstructure. In this study, we mimicked a transvaginal reconstructive surgery to repair the apical ligaments (uterosacral ligaments (USLs) and cardinal ligaments (CLs)), by modeling, their impairment (90% and 50%) and/or total rupture. The implants to reinforce/replace these ligaments were built based on literature specifications and their mechanical properties were obtained through uniaxial tensile tests. The main aim of this study was to simulate the effect of mesh anchoring technique (simple stich and continuous stitch), and compare the displacement magnitude of the pelvic tissues, during Valsalva maneuver. The absence/presence of the synthetic implant was simulated when total rupture of the CLs and USLs occurs, causing a variation of the vaginal displacement (9% for the CLs and 27% for the USLs). Additionally, the simulations showed that there was a variation of the supero-inferior displacement of the vaginal wall between different anchoring techniques (simple stich and continuous stitch) being approximately of 10% for the simulation USLs and CLs implant. The computational simulation was able to mimic the biomechanical behavior of the USLs and CLs, in response to different anchoring techniques, which can be help improving the outcomes of the prolapse surgery.

Multiple stenting using anchoring technique with balloon guiding catheter for common carotid artery dissection after aortic arch replacement: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Common carotid artery (CCA) dissection is a minor complication during aortic arch replacement (AAR). Although endovascular treatment can be considered for symptomatic CCA dissection despite internal therapy, no report has mentioned about carotid stenting for CCA dissection after vascular graft replacement. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 68-year-old man presented with recurrent transient right hemiparesis. CECT and arteriography showed the progressive CCA dissection associated with AAR and decreased cerebral blood flow. MRI showed no evidence of infarction. Epilepsy, electrolyte abnormalities, hypoglycemia, spinal cord disease were considered as differential diagnoses of transient paralysis, but all were negative. Considering these findings, we diagnosed the patient with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) caused by CCA dissection. He was treated with multiple stents deployed through vascular grafts using anchoring technique with balloon guiding catheter. Angiography demonstrated reconstitution of the CCA and internal carotid artery 1.5 years after the intervention, and no further TIAs were observed. MRI scan showed no evidence of infarction. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: After AAR, the alteration of anatomy and lack of elasticity of vascular grafts make it quite difficult to access lesions. The adoption of a distal access catheter (DAC) and balloon inflation of a guiding catheter (BGC) are useful approaches. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of successful multiple carotid stenting through vascular grafts for the treatment of CCA dissection. The main take-away lessons are the following three.

Case of Iatrogenic Vertebro-Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula Treated by Combination of Double-Catheter and Balloon Anchoring Techniques.

BACKGROUND: A case of high-flow cervical vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula (VVAVF), which was occluded with detachable coils by the transarterial/transvenous double-catheter technique and balloon anchoring technique, is reported. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year-old male who had a history of dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and arrhythmia under anticoagulation presented with a neck bruit after a right internal jugular vein puncture. A high-flow VVAVF between the right vertebral artery (VA) and vertebral vein (VV) was revealed by ultrasonography and angiography. To extirpate the shunt while preserving the right VA without using a stent to avoid antiplatelet therapy, the double-catheter technique was used to occlude the vein and shunt tightly, 1 catheter from the venous side and the other from the VA to the VV through the shunt. Finally, stabilization of the coil cage in the dilating VV was secured by placing a balloon distally as an anchor and successfully occluding the shunt with small amounts of coils only on the venous side. The shunt and cervical bruit disappeared immediately after the treatment, and no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The double-catheter technique and balloon anchoring technique used in this case seem effective for transvenous embolization of VVAVF when preservation of the VA is desired.

Posterior percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy combined with the vertical anchoring technique for lumbar disc herniation with distant upward migration.

BACKGROUND: Posterior percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has become a preferred procedure for the treatment of simple lumbar disc herniation (LDH) but has rarely been reported for distant upward migration. The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility, safety, clinical efficacy and technical points of posterior PELD combined with the vertical anchoring technique (VAT) for the treatment of LDH with distant upward migration. METHODS: Thirteen patients with distant upward migrated LDH who underwent posterior PELD combined with the VAT from March 2016 to May 2018 were selected. Among these cases, the herniated disc was located at L3/4 in 2 patients, L4/5 in 9 patients and L5/S1 in 2 patients. The operative time, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess surgical efficacy. RESULTS: All 13 patients underwent successful surgery. We compared the VAS, ODI and JOA scores before and after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 10 patients were assessed as "excellent", 2 patients were assessed as "good" and 1 patient was assessed as "fair" at the last follow-up. The rate of satisfactory outcomes was 92.3%. CONCLUSION: Posterior PELD combined with the VAT is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of LDH with distant upward migration and represents a new approach for this type of surgery.

Distalización con el C-DFD modificado con mini-tornillos. Reporte de caso / Distalization with a C-DFD modified with mini-screws. A case report

En la actualidad existen muchos dispositivos para distalizar los molares cuando se presenta una maloclusión clase II; como son la tracción extraoral, el péndulo dento y óseosoprtado, el distal jet, sliding jig entre otros. Todos con efectos secundarios indeseables. Este reporte de caso pretende ilustrar los resultados obtenidos con un dispositivo con anclaje cortical y óseo en una maloclusión clase II. Reporte de caso clínico en un paciente clase II esquelético y dental. Se usó un aparato de anclaje cortical, diseñado en la Universidad CES de Medellín, llamado Cortical Dual Forcé Distalizer (C-DFD), el cual fue modificado con un par de mini-tornillos para reforzar el anclaje, logrando la distalización superior de los molares evitando un tratamiento con exodoncias. El C-DFD es un distalizador óseo-soportado que logra un movimiento distal del primer molar superior.

There are currently many devices used for molar distalization when there is a Class II malocclusion; some of these devices include headgear, tooth-supported and bone-supported pendulums, the distal jet, and the sliding jig, among others. All of them have undesirable side effects. This case report aims to illustrate the results obtained by using a device with cortical and bone anchorage to treat a Class II malocclusion of a patient with a skeletal and dental class II malocclusion. A Cortical Dual Forcé Distalizer (C-DFD, a cortical-anchoring appliance designed at CES University in Medellín, Colombia was used. This device was modified by using a couple of mini-screws to reinforce anchorage, thus achieving upper distalization of molars and avoiding treatment with extractions. The C-DFD is a bone-supported distalizer that achieves a more controlled and in-body distal movement of the first upper molar, avoiding the inclinations produced by other distalizers.

Hipnose, dor crônica e técnicas de ancoragem: a terapia de dentro para fora / Hypnosis, chronic pain, and anchoring techniques: therapy from the inside out

O presente trabalho busca resgatar a técnica hipnótica de ancoragem, destacando a condição do sujeito como participante ativo no processo terapêutico. Partindo de algumas ilustrações clínicas com pacientes portadores de dores crônicas, ressalta duas dimensões de grande relevância dessa técnica. Primeiramente, a diagnóstica, que destaca as possibilidades de acesso ao mundo vivido do outro, em sua experiência subjetiva e produção simbólica. Em segundo lugar, a dimensão terapêutica, na qual a técnica favorece uma apropriação da experiência por parte do sujeito que pode, então, assumir uma postura ativa em sua reconfiguração. Na conclusão, destaca a relevância do conhecimento clínico calcado na subjetividade do paciente, a mudança de olhar sobre si mesmo que a técnica proporciona, a postura ativa do sujeito no processo de mudança e o paradoxo entre imaginação e memória.

This paper addresses the anchoring technique in hypnosis and focuses on the subject as an active participant in the therapy process. Clinical examples of clients suffering from chronic pain are used to highlight two extremely relevant dimensions of this technique. First, the diagnosis addresses possibilities of accessing the experiences of others in both their subjective experiences and symbolic productions. Second, the technique is used in therapy to encourage subjects to appropriate their experiences and, therefore, actively participate in reconfiguring them. The conclusion states the relevance of clinical understanding founded on client subjectivity, changes in self-awareness brought on by the technique, the active involvement of subjects in the process of change, and the paradox between imagination and memory.