Journal of Endovascular Therapy最新文献

Purpose: To report the occurrence of acute postrenal kidney failure caused by external ureteral obstruction after iliac venous stent placement.

Case report: A 73-year-old male patient presented with a chronic swelling and feeling of heaviness of his right leg. The presence of venous thrombosis was excluded by duplex ultrasound (DUS). However, DUS revealed a high-grade non-thrombotic stenosis of the right external iliac vein which was confirmed by computed tomography venography. This stenosis was attributed to local scarring following prostatectomy, lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant radiation therapy for prostate cancer 7 years before. According to the clinical presentation, the patient underwent catheter-based revascularization by implantation of a dedicated venous stent in the external iliac vein. One day after this procedure, the patient experienced acute kidney failure, which was attributable to an incipient right-sided grade II hydronephrosis. Subsequent ureterorenoscopy demonstrated a stenotic lesion of the intermediate part of the ureter at the same level as the venous stent. Finally, ureteral stent placement resulted in the restoration of urinary drainage as well as resolution of acute kidney failure. This case report highlights the importance of considering nonvascular complications after venous stent placement and it stresses the importance of postprocedural clinical and laboratory surveillance and follow-up.

Clinical impact: In recent years the number of endovenous stent implantations has significantly increased. In patients with clinically relevant iliofemoral obstructions, endovenous stent placement potentially reduces related symptoms and improves quality of life. However, endovenous stent placement may have an impact on peri-vascular structures, such as the ureters. This case report highlights the awareness of potential nonvascular complications, which might be caused by iliofemoral stent implantation.

Objective: There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal antithrombotic therapy (ATT) after popliteal and infrapopliteal (PIP) endovascular therapy (EVT). Currently, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 3 months and single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) are the most prescribed regimens in the Netherlands. Thus far, no randomized comparison has been performed on the optimal ATT approach. Therefore, this study compared the efficacy and safety of 3-month DAPT with SAPT following PIP EVT.

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a multicenter registry.

Methods: The Dutch chronic lower limb-threatening ischemia registry (THRILLER) collected prospective data on patients enrolled between January 2021 and October 2023. As for ATT, only patients prescribed antiplatelet therapy (APT), were included in this analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of 3-month major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, ie, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, cardiovascular death), major adverse limb events (MALEs, ie, major amputation, reintervention), and non-cardiovascular death. Secondary efficacy outcomes were 3-month MACE, MALE, and all-cause mortality. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding according to the 'Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction' (TIMI) classification. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazard models were applied.

Results: In total, 460 of 840 THRILLER patients used DAPT or SAPT as ATT and were therefore included in the analysis. Of these, 322 (70%) received DAPT and 138 (30%) received SAPT. In total, 73 (15.9%) primary efficacy outcomes were observed of which 21 (15.2%) events in the SAPT group and 52 (16.1%) events in the DAPT group. No significant differences were observed between SAPT and DAPT for the primary efficacy outcomes or any of the secondary efficacy outcomes. In both groups, one case of major bleeding was observed.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that 3 months of DAPT is not superior to SAPT. A well-powered randomized trial is warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of post-procedural DAPT in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients undergoing PIP EVT.

Clinical impact: This manuscript reports on the efficacy and safety outcomes of 3 months of DAPT versus SAPT, which are commonly chosen therapies following popliteal and infrapopliteal endovascular therapy. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding major adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause death, major amputation, or major bleeding. Therefore, 3 months of DAPT does not seem superior to SAPT. These results suggest that SAPT appears to be a sufficient alternative when considering 3 months of DAPT. Further research should verify these outcomes and focus on the efficacy and safety of prolonged DAPT suppletion after endovascular therapy.

Introduction: Management of patients with large aortic arch aneurysms who are considered high risk for frozen elephant trunk technique have been challenging, especially when they have a dilated ascending aorta (AA) that precludes total endovascular branched repair (arch BEVAR). A viable option in our armamentarium is wrapping of the AA (AW), and zone 0 Ishimaru TEVAR.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of our aortic database from 2013 to 2024 to select high-risk patients with aortic arch aneurysm that had an AW and TEVAR. We performed CTA analysis before and after wrapping and TEVAR, and last available CTA. The primary end points were 30-day mortality and stroke.

Results: A total of 12 patients had AA wrap and TEVAR, with supra-aortic vessels (SAVs) debranching (open or endovascular). In 9 patients, the indication for treatment was a large arch atherosclerotic aneurysm, and in 3 patients a dissecting arch aneurysm depicted during follow-up of AW initially performed for acute type A dissection (51.5 months on average between the wrap and the TEVAR). Average age was 72.9 years. Ascending aorta wrap and TEVAR were performed concomitantly in 3/12 patients, including 2 patients with rupture. It was staged in the other 9 patients. The average diameter of the AA pre-wrap was 47.7 (41.3-57), and post-wrap 35.6 (31.9-43) mm. The wrap provided an average seal length of 68.5 (38.4-97.4) mm. A total of 34 SAV were successfully debranched. No type 1 or 3 endoleaks were depicted on completion angiogram. Within the first 30 days, no strokes were diagnosed, and 1 patient with Horton disease died of cardiac arrest on postoperative day 7. Three patients required early reinterventions, including redosternotomy in 2 patients. Mean follow-up (FU) was 28 months (1-75). During FU, 1 patient developed a left vertebral artery steal phenomenon requiring a carotid subclavian bypass, and another patient died of an unknown cause.

Conclusion: Ascending aorta wrap technique with debranching of the SAVs and zone 0 TEVAR might be a good option in patients at high risk for open replacement of the AA and with unfavorable proximal seal zone for a total endovascular repair.

Clinical impact: In the current study, we describe the treatment of aortic arch aneurysms in patients considered at high risk for open replacement of the aortic arch and also not candidate for complete endovascular arch repair (arch BEVAR). Ascending aorta wrap with surgical or endovascular debranching of SAVs and zone 0 TEVAR was performed in 12 patients with favorable outcomes. It should thus be considered a treatment option in this subset of fragile patients with unfavorable proximal seal zone for total endovascular repair. This technique does not require cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support, neither aortic cross-clamping.

Purpose: The use of surgeon-modified fenestrated endograft to treat a bleeding complication in the common iliac artery.

Technique: An Endurant limb graft was modified on back table in theater after planning the fenestration using a semi-automated centerline. The Endurant stent was planned to land flush at the aortic bifurcation. The Endurant limb was partially deployed until the fenestration opened facing the anastomosis to enable rotation and axial movement of the stent graft, if needed. By obtaining access from the contralateral common femoral artery, the fenestration was cannulated using up-and-over technique and bypass graft cannulated. The Endurant stent graft was then fully deployed. Through a separate puncture in the ipsilateral sheath, the fenestration was re-cannulated using a hydrophilic wire, and a balloon-expandable covered stent was introduced through a 7F sheath and then flared in a kissing fashion along with the Endurant stent. The distal part of the Endurant limb was extended with a bare metal stent into the external iliac artery. Control angiography was satisfactory, and bleeding was controlled.

Conclusion: Surgeon-modified stent graft in the iliac arteries can be used even in the context of non-aneurysmal disease to treat patients in high-risk emergency situations and could be part of the armamentarium of the vascular surgeon.

Clinical impact: Physician-modified endografts are increasingly being used by vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to treat patients with complex aorto-iliac aneurysms in whom custom-made endograft provided by the manufacturer is too expensive to produce and/or patient requires urgent surgery. Data on the use of physician-modified endografts to treat non-aneurysmal disease is lacking. This technical note highlights the use of physician-modified endograft to treat a patient with bleeding complication from the distal anastomosis of an iliac artery to coeliac trunk bypass graft in whom open surgery posed unacceptable high morbidity and mortality risks. This technical note continues to add more information and knowledge to the vascular surgery / interventional radiology communities on the use of physician-modified endografts and also adds another tool in the armamentarium of teams involved.

Introduction: Identifying peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains challenging with currently used bedside tests. The maximal systolic acceleration (ACC_max) is a promising noninvasive parameter measured by duplex ultrasonography and reflects the arterial perfusion proximal to its measurement point. The principal aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the ACC_max for detecting significant stenosis in different arterial segments, which could be useful in clinical decision-making.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. Patients aged 18 years and older who underwent ACC_max measurement(s) alongside computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the abdominal aorta and lower extremities were qualified for inclusion. A significant stenosis was defined as a lumen reduction of more than 50% on CTA. Diagnostic accuracy of the ACC_max was investigated for the aortoiliac and popliteal arterial pathways.

Results: A total of 196 patients (373 limbs) were included in the study. Diagnostic performance of the ACC_max (cut-off value of 7.70 m/s²) to detect a significant stenosis in the aortoiliac pathway showed a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 97%, positive likelihood ratio of 29.23 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.12 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.941). For the popliteal pathway (cut-off value of 6.30 m/s²), these results were 90%, 95%, 17.14 and 0.12, respectively, with an AUC of 0.958.

Conclusion: The ACC_max showed a promising diagnostic accuracy for detecting a significant stenosis in the aortoiliac and popliteal pathway.

Clinical impact: The maximal systolic acceleration (ACC_max) is a promising non-invasive parameter measured by duplex ultrasonography to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and reflects the arterial perfusion proximal to its measurement point. This study focused on its diagnostic accuracy to detect a significant stenosis in the aortoiliac and popliteal pathway, which revealed to be promising with excellent sensitivity and specificity. These findings suggest that ACC_max measurements could play a key role in developing a new diagnostic approach for PAD.

Objective: This study offers a retrospective assessment of a single-center experience using cerebrospinal fluid catheters to reduce the risk of perioperative spinal cord injury in patients undergoing single-staged complex endovascular juxtarenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Results: A total of 97 patients were included. On average, 70.7%±14.4% of the aortic segment between the left subclavian artery and the aortic bifurcation was covered during the procedures. Of the 53 patients receiving cerebrospinal fluid drainage, 77.4% were prophylactic and 22.6% were in symptomatic patients. The overall spinal cord injury rate was 12.4%, with 8.3% experiencing transient spinal cord injury with immediate improvement after cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and 4.1% of patients suffering permanent spinal cord injury: 2 (2.1%) with minor deficits and 2 (2.1%) with paraplegia. The mean intraoperatively administered heparin dosage was 7500 international units, and an additional intravenous bolus of acetylsalicylic acid was given in 69 cases (71.1%), whereas the cerebrospinal fluid drain was in situ.

Conclusions: The evaluation of the employed in-house protocol for single-staged complex endovascular juxtarenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, focusing on cerebrospinal fluid catheter management in conjunction with necessary anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication, indicated that the use of a cerebrospinal fluid catheter is a feasible approach for spinal cord injury risk reduction in selected high-risk patients.

Clinical impact: This study highlights the effectiveness of cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) in reducing spinal cord injury (SCI) rates from 12.4% to 4.1% during single-staged complex endovascular repair of juxtarenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Implementing CSFD within a standardized protocol achieved a 99.7% target visceral and renal vessel patency without major CSFD-related bleeding complications. These findings emphasize CSFD as a feasible and effective tool for SCI prevention in selected high-risk patients. While supporting on-demand catheter placement, this study underscores the potential of selective prophylactic CSFD use, contributing to safer, evidence-based strategies in managing high-risk aortic repairs.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important cause of death and disability. Advances in catheter-directed therapies have led to the use of devices, such as the Inari FlowTriever and Penumbra Indigo system for aspiration thrombectomy (AT) for both massive and sub-massive PE. However, limited data exist on causes of procedural mortality.

Methods: Analysis of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacture and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database was performed. Data for the Inari FlowTriever and Penumbra Indigo aspiration thrombectomy systems were evaluated for mortality events and classified by cause of death from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023.

Results: The review identified 26 mortality events related to the Inari FlowTriever and 28 related to the Penumbra Indigo device. Pulmonary vascular perforation (n=26) and right heart injury/tamponade (n=9) were the most common source of mortality. Clot migration (n=4) and acute right heart failure (n=5) were less frequently observed.

Conclusions: This study reveals more mortality events than have been captured in the literature to date. Vascular perforation and cardiac injury are the most common and also potentially preventable sources of mortality. Strategies to mitigate complications related to aspiration thrombectomy are described.

Clinical impact: Analysis of mortality in aspiration thrombectomy (AT) for acute pulmonary embolism is necessary to better understand the safety profile of this procedure. This analysis of the MAUDE database reports the largest single cohort of 54 deaths. Potentially preventable procedure-related mortality in AT has been documented to be the result of vascular perforation and cardiac perforation with tamponade. Preparation for emergent pericardiocentesis should be considered in mechanical thrombectomy. Clot migration may result from thrombus maceration or migration of clot in transit, thus, careful pre-procedure examination for clot in transit with echocardiography is suggested.

Background: To compare the performance of a new-generation cobalt-chromium balloon-expandable bare metal stent with a stainless steel platform for the treatment of iliac occlusive disease.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated for symptomatic iliac occlusive disease between 2014 and 2021 with the cobalt-chromium Dynetic-35 or the stainless steel Dynamic platform were retrospectively evaluated. Outcome measures included technical success, device- or procedure-related death, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), primary patency, and major index limb amputation up to 12 months.

Results: In total, 222 Cobalt chromium (CC) stents were used in 159 patients (34.6% female; mean age 66.9 ± 9.5 years) for the treatment of 216 lesions, while 234 iliac lesions of 182 patients (34.6% female; mean age 66.3 ± 9.9 years) were treated with 252 stainless steel (SS) stents. The mean lesion length (30.2 ± 12.8 mm vs 28.7 ± 22.5 mm, p=0.36) and the mean calcification grade (2.0 vs 1.9, p=0.07) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Patients treated by the CC platform were more frequently on statins (p<0.001), whereas more active smokers and subjects with higher Rutherford class underwent a SS deployment (p<0.001). Technical success was significantly higher in the SS group (100% vs 97.3%; p=0.01). This was due to longitudinal deformation or stent dislocation after passing the Dynetic-35 with endovascular material. After 1 year, no difference was found following CC and SS stent deployment in terms of device- or procedure-related deaths (0.6% vs 1.1%, p=0.99), target limb amputations (1.9% vs 1.6%, p=0.99), primary patency (91.3% vs 93.5%), and CD-TLR (6.5% vs 2.8% p=0.07).

Conclusions: Through 1 year, cobalt-chromium and stainless steel balloon-expandable stents are safe and effective in the treatment of iliac occlusive disease. Enhanced attention should be given passing the cobalt-chromium stent with endovascular devices to avoid procedural complications.

Clinical impact: Stents with a thin-strut structure improve the flexibility and deliverability. The lower profile also increases the applicability lowering the risk of vascular access complications. In this study newer-generation cobalt chromium balloon-expandable stent did not confer advantages over stainless steel bare metal stent. On contrary, the technical success was inferior to stainless steel stents as longitudinal deformation or dislocation of the Dynetic-35 occurred. Therefore, enhanced attention should be given passing a Cobalt chromium stent with wires, catheters or sheaths to avoid stent deformation.