Donald F. Denny

Inferior Vena Cava: Translumbar Catheterization for Central Venous Access

In six patients who required long-term central venous access, translumbar catheterization of the inferior vena cava was performed seven times after the usual sites of access had become thrombosed. Four of the patients were male and two were female, and they ranged in age from 2 to 76 years. Placement of a 12-F Silastic catheter in one procedure, a 10-F catheter in three, a 9-F catheter in one, and a 7-F catheter in two was successful and uncomplicated. Of the three surviving patients, two had a functioning catheter at 1 week and 32 months, respectively; in the third patient the catheter was removed after 3 weeks, a few days after successful bowel surgery. Two patients with functioning catheters died, one of metastatic breast cancer after 12 months and the other of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome after 5 weeks. One patient twice required removal of a functioning catheter due to sepsis, the first after 3 weeks and the second after 6 weeks. These results show this technique to be safe and successful for selected patients.

Management of large high-flow arteriovenous malformations of the shoulder and upper extremity with transcatheter embolotherapy.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the shoulder and upper extremity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four men with large AVMs of the shoulder and upper extremity were treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Symptoms included high cardiac output, pain, paresthesias, and disfigurement. Each patient underwent multiple sessions of embolotherapy. RESULTS In two patients there was no decrease in cardiac output. In three patients, no permanent decrease in AVM size or resolution of pain was achieved. Two patients experienced postembolization skin necrosis, and one experienced permanent radial neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS Large, high-flow AVMs in the shoulder and upper extremity may be relatively refractory to intravascular treatment because of the diffuse involvement of the soft tissues by the AVM and the lack of a well-defined nidus. Transcatheter embolotherapy in these lesions should be reserved for patients undergoing resection to help decrease intraoperative bleeding.

Percutaneous Isolated Liver Perfusion for Treatment of Hepatic Malignancy: Preliminary Report

Chemotherapy for primary or metastatic hepatic malignancy is limited by poor tumor response and dose-related systemic toxicity. As an alternative to chemotherapy infusion by vein or by the hepatic artery, the authors have developed a percutaneous technique of isolated liver perfusion that allows the regional delivery of high-dose chemotherapy to the liver with little systemic toxicity. After placement of a hepatic artery infusion catheter, an 18-F double-balloon catheter is placed into the inferior vena cava through the opposite femoral vein. Balloons are inflated above and below the hepatic veins, thus isolating hepatic venous outflow. The effluent passes through fenestrations in the catheter and is pumped through charcoal hemoperfusion filters where the drug is removed. The filtered blood is returned to the patient through the internal jugular vein. Fifteen treatments have been conducted in eight patients in a phase I dose-escalation study with use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). While it is premature to assess tumor response to isolated liver perfusion, the data demonstrate that the procedure is safe and is tolerated by patients. Pharmacokinetic studies show a 5-FU extraction of up to 85%, with minimal drug leakage into the systemic circulation. This technique shows potential for improving liver tumor response while decreasing systemic toxicity.

Transcatheter detachable balloon embolotherapy for catheter-induced pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm formation may be due to various etiologies, including trauma, pulmonary artery catheterization, infection, and tumor. Transcatheter embolization is a nonsurgical management technique that may be utilized in many of these patients to occlude the affected artery and to prevent further extravasation. Recently, two patients with pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm formation after balloon-tipped catheter placement were successfully managed with transcatheter embolotherapy with detachable silicone balloons. The article describes their diagnosis and management.

Liver transplant rejection arteritis: Serial hepatic arteriography

Two liver transplant recipients underwent serial hepatic arteriography, demonstrating a severe, rapidly progressive arteritis involving the hilar hepatic arteries. Liver biopsies in these patients demonstrated ischemic necrosis as a prominent feature. The angiographic appearance and therapeutic implications of liver transplant rejection arteritis are presented.

Enterostomy Catheter Exchange Using New Polymer-Coated Guide Wire: Technical Note

The exchange of enterostomy feeding catheters may be facilitated by the use of a recently developed hydrophilic polymer guide wire. This has been found especially useful in the insertion of catheters constructed of polyurethane or silastic-type materials.