Byung Jun So

Isolated Spontaneous Dissection of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: Percutaneous Stent Placement in Two Patients

Isolated spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare cause of acute mesenteric ischemia. Two patients were successfully treated by percutaneous stent placement within the main trunk of the SMA. Emphasis is placed on the feasibility of nonsurgical management with percutaneous stent placement of isolated spontaneous dissection of the SMA.

Successful aspiration and thrombolytic therapy for acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion

To report a case of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism successfully treated with aspiration and pharmacological thrombolysis. A 74-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain 5 hours in duration. Computed tomography angiography revealed a complete embolic occlusion distal to the first jejunal branch of the SMA. Aspiration and local continuous thrombolysis with urokinase resulted in near complete revascularization of the mesenteric flow after 4 hours and almost complete restoration after 20 hours. The patient made a complete recovery and continues to do well on warfarin therapy after treatment. Aspiration and thrombolytic therapy can be an alternative treatment modality in surgical high risk patient.

Mizoribine Versus Mycophenolate Mofetil in Combination Therapy With Tacrolimus for De Novo Kidney Transplantation: Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety

The present study compared the efficacy and safety of mizoribine (MZR) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in kidney transplantation. This multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Employed doses of study drug tailored to the immunosuppressive need. The primary efficacy outcome was the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes (BPAR). The safety of the study drug was assessed using the incidences of adverse events, drug discontinuations, and abnormal laboratory results. The 7 (6.4%) BPARs above grade II were observed in the MZR group noninferior to the 2 (1.8%) in the MMF group (95% confidence interval, -0.007-0.097 > noninferiority limit [-0.2]). BPAR was significantly decreased in the MZR group after the dose change (17/41 [41.4%] vs 8/69 [11.6%]; P < .0001) and the incidence of BPAR was similar between the MZR and MMF groups after the dose change (P = .592). The uric acid level was significantly elevated in the MZR group (P = .002). In conclusion, the efficacy and safety of MZR were similar and statistically noninferior to MMF in combination therapy with tacrolimus.

Long-Term Results of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Combined with Iliac Vein Stenting for Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Purpose: We were going to access the effect of catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy (CDT) on post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and the long term effects of iliac vein stenting in acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IFDVT). Materials and Methods: Fifty-six limbs in fifty-one patients (46 unilateral, 5 bilateral) were included from November 2001 through December 2007. Patients were classified based on the method of treatment: with stent implantation (n=37) and without stent implantation (n=19). The Villalta scale was chosen to assess for severity of PTS. The validated outcome measures were compared between the treatment groups. Statistical analysis was estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier test and Pearson chi-square test. Results: Mean age was 57±13 years (range, 27–76 years). Mean follow up duration was 56±12 months (range, 24–144 months). Overall 5-year primary patency rate was 66.1% (77.8% in the stenting group and 42.1% in the non-stenting group) and showed statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.02). The recurrence rate of deep vein thrombosis was 10/37 (27.1%) in the stenting group and 11/19 (57.9%) in the non-stenting group, respectively, which showed statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.024). Overall incidence of mild PTS was 8/30 (26.7%): 4/13 (30.8%) in the stenting group and 4/17 (23.5%) in the non-stenting group. None of the other factors showed statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Long term results of CDT in IFDVT were acceptable, and stent implantation to the iliac segment seems to have a good effect on the long term results. Therefore CDT with simultaneous stenting is recommended to improve long term results of IFDVT, if indicated.

Mucosal protective effect of PGI2 on canine small bowel auto-transplantation.

PURPOSE We designed this experimental study to assess the mucosal protective effects of continuous prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) infusion after canine small bowel autotransplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six Mongrel dogs were randomly divided two groups: PGI2 (n = 3) and control (n = 3). The small bowel from jejunum to ileum was obtained, including the mesenteric vascular pedicle. After cold flushing ex vivo, the harvested segment was preserved in an icebox for 3 hours. Thereafter we reimplanted the harvested intestinal segment. While completing the anastomosis, PGI2 (50 μg) was slowly infused through the mesenteric artery in the PGI2 group versus the same volume of saline in the control group. At 1, 3 and 6 days after autotransplantation, we obtained blood samples, and at 6 days, small bowel segments. Endotoxin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured and all histologic specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin H-E were reviewed by a pathologist to grade mucosal damage as: mild (1 point), moderate (2 points), or severe (3 points) change. RESULTS Mean basal serum endotoxin levels were similar in both groups the PGI2 groups versus control group were 0.216 ± 0.018 versus 0.223 ± 0.040 EU/mL, respectively. However, on day 3 after the operation, the PGI2 group showed much decreased levels of serum endotoxin compared to control levels: 0.349 ± 0.196 versus 0.842 ± 0.446 EU/mL. The mean concentration of serum IL-6 on day 1 after operation among the PGI2 versus control group were 32.13 ± 7.13 pg/mL versus 36.96 ± 3.65 pg/mL. The histologic scores at 6 days after the operation were PGI2 group versus control group: 1.33 versus 1.66 (P = NS). CONCLUSION Continuous infusions of PGI2 through the mesenteric artery after the canine small bowel autotransplantation may protect the small bowel mucosal barrier.

The Advantage of Common Femoral Endarterectomy Alone or Combined with Endovascular Treatment

Purpose Although common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFAE) is regarded as the standard treatment modality for common femoral artery (CFA) disease, availability of advanced endovascular techniques has resulted in an increased number of CFA disease being treated. We evaluated clinical outcomes in a contemporary series of patients who were treated for CFA disease using endarterectomy alone or combined with endovascular treatment. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 46 patients from November 2001 through December 2007. The treated lesions were divided into 4 groups based on operative procedure: group I (n=11), CFAE alone; group II (n=15), CFAE and iliac artery (IA) endovascular treatment; group III (n=6), CFAE and superficial femoral artery (SFA) endovascular treatment; group IV (n=14), CFAE and IA and SFA endovascular treatment or bypass surgery. Results The degree of CFA steno-occlusion was not different among the groups. The 3-year primary patency rates of each group were 88.9±10.5%, 60.0±14.5%, 62.5±21.3%, and 83.9±10.4%, respectively. The 3-year primary assisted patency rates were 100%, 70.0±13.0%, 62.5±21.3%, and 89.3±10.4%, while 3-year secondary patency rates were 100%, 80.0±13.0%, 62.5±21.3%, and 92.3±7.4%, respectively. There was no procedure-related mortality. Significant improvement of ankle-brachial index was achieved in all groups. Conclusion CFAE alone is the treatment of choice for excellent patency and clinical improvement in steno-occlusive lesions confined to the CFA. In multiple steno-occlusive diseases, this procedure could be combined with endovascular procedures to reduce the operative risk in conditions with high morbidity.

Early experience of thoracic endovascular aortic repair: a local single hospital experience

Purpose The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short- to mid-term results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital. Methods Between February 2009 and May 2011, 8 consecutive patients had undergone endovascular stent-grafting for thoracic aortic diseases. Five patients were treated for traumatic thoracic aortic injuries, two patients were treated for thoracic aneurysms and one patient was treated for a pseudoaneurysm due to penetrating aortic ulcers. Attempted stent-graft deployment was performed electively in 6 patients and emergently in 2. Follow-up was performed at 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and annually thereafter. Results Technical success rates were achieved in 87.5% and the 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Mean hospital length of stay after TEVAR was 30 days in traumatic thoracic aortic injuries and 10 days in thoracic aneurismal diseases. Intra-operative Type I endoleak due to migration at deflation was visualized in 1 patient, which was treated by insertion of another stent-graft. During follow-up, a major complication was encountered in one patient who received carotid-subclavian bypass to relieve left arm ischemia. After 5 months he was treated with arch replacement for aortic arch aneurysm with type I endoleak at proximal site after endovascular treatment. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. However, 1 case of mortality (12.5%) was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion The short and mid-term results of endovascular repair of thoracic aortic diseases are promising. TEVAR is an effective procedure in the management of thoracic aortic diseases.