Jürgen Triller

A comparison study of self-expandable stents vs balloon angioplasty alone in femoropopliteal artery occlusions

In a group of 26 patients percutaneous transluminal (balloon) angioplasty (PTA) and stents (Wallstents) were applied and in another 26 matched patients PTA alone was used as primary treatment for femoropopliteal occlusions of 3 cm or longer. Five patients with stents showed early thrombosis necessitating catheter thrombolysis and/or thrombus aspiration. Ten patients had recurrent stenoses within 12 months, mostly due to neointimal hyperplasia. Following three late catheter reinterventions, a cumulative secondary patency rate of 69% was achieved after 12 months. The group of patients treated by PTA alone showed a 12 months patency rate of 65% without reinterventions. In 8 other patients, stents were inserted for recurrent obstructive or PTA-resistant lesions, and similar results as with the stents above were obtained. Thus, these stents do not improve primary results of PTA in femoropopliteal occlusions but may be useful secondarily after unsuccessful PTA.

Superselective microcoil embolization: treatment of choice in high-risk patients with extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries.

BACKGROUND Only a few isolated case reports of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries have been published. We present the first documented series of patients with extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms treated at a single institution, and discuss the etiology and management of this condition. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of all cases of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries between 1989 and 1997. RESULTS A total of seven patients with extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic arteries all had upper abdominal pain; five patients were also in shock secondary to a gastrointestinal bleeding from ruptured pseudoaneurysms. The most common factor of the pseudoaneurysms was previous pancreatobiliary surgery in five patients with blunt truncal trauma and chronic pancreatitis in the remaining two patients. Initial endoscopy and ultrasonography were unrevealing, whereas dynamic computed tomography (CT) scan and angiography were diagnostic. The median size of the pseudoaneurysms was 3.6 cm (range 2.1-5.7). Treatment consisted of superselective transcatheter microcoil embolization in five hemodynamically unstable patients and surgical resection of the pseudoaneurysms with vascular reconstruction in the two stable patients. Mortality and morbidity were 0% and 43%, respectively. In a median followup of 35 months (range 2-96), no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm has been found. CONCLUSIONS A high index of suspicion combined with appropriate diagnostic modalities are required for the diagnosis of extrahepatic pseudoaneurysms. In high-risk patients, superselective transcatheter microcoil embolization should be considered the treatment of choice.

Below-the-knee angioplasty in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Purpose: To determine clinical efficacy of below-the-knee (BTK) angioplasty in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: Interrogation of a prospectively maintained database containing 2659 patients treated at a tertiary referral hospital between February 1995 and June 2004 identified 29 ESRD patients (21 men; median age 69 years, IQR 10.12) who had 73 infrapopliteal atherosclerotic lesions treated in 38 ischemic limbs. The indication for treatment was intermittent claudication in 13 (34%) and critical limb ischemia in 25 (66%) limbs. BTK angioplasty was attempted either alone (n=18) or combined with an endovascular inflow procedure (n=20). Primary clinical success was defined as hemodynamic improvement (ABI increase ≥0.1) and/or symptomatic improvement (at least one clinical category). Cumulative rates were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier estimate. Results: Primary technical success reached 97%, whereas hemodynamic improvement was obtained in only 50% (19/38) of the limbs treated. The pedal arteries were severely diseased in all, and complete occlusion of the pedal arch was found in 58% (18/31) of limbs on completion angiography. Median follow-up was 5.9 months (IQR 11.5). Primary clinical success was 17%, 11%, 11%, and 11% in patients with BTK angioplasty alone and 53%, 45%, 45%, and 45% in patients with inflow procedures after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively (p=0.017). Limb salvage was 73% at 12 months. Subgroup analyses showed significantly better clinical results in men (p=0.003) and in patients on hemodialysis compared to peritoneal dialysis (p=0.037). Conclusions: Clinical efficacy of BTK angioplasty is limited in patients with ESRD because of the severely diseased pedal arteries. Further studies are warranted to define subgroups of patients likely to experience a more favorable outcome.

Balloon angioplasty in chronic critical limb ischemia: factors affecting clinical and angiographic outcome.

Purpose: To assess factors that affect clinical and angiographic outcome in chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI) 12 months after primary, technically successful balloon angioplasty (BA) in infrainguinal arteries. Methods: Sixty consecutive patients (37 women; mean age 75 ± 10 years, range 53–99) with technically successful BA in 66 limbs were followed for 12 months or until death, for major amputation, or repeat target lesion revascularization (TLR). Assessment at baseline and 1 day and 12 months after BA or at an endpoint event, if feasible, was performed with angiography or duplex ultrasound (above-knee revascularization only). Mortality, limb prognosis, and restenosis rate were correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, hemodynamic measures, and angiographic features. Results: Mortality was 25% at 1 year; compared to survivors, nonsurvivors more often had coronary artery disease (93% versus 44% for survivors, p<0.001), bilateral CLI (60% versus 29%, p=0.033), and higher fibrinogen levels (5.1 g/L versus 4.3 g/L, p=0.049). CLI resolved in more than half (35, 53%) of the limbs without repeat TLR. The major amputation rate was 6%. Limb prognosis correlated with ankle pressures after BA. Restenosis rates were 65% at the femoropopliteal and 56% at the infrapopliteal level (NS); these correlated with the length of the treated arterial segment (8.7 cm with restenosis versus 4.0 cm without, p<0.001). Conclusions: High mortality in CLI was associated with an extensive, clinically manifest arteriosclerotic process and high fibrinogen levels. Limb prognosis and restenosis after BA were primarily influenced by local hemodynamic and technical factors. Despite considerable restenosis, more than 90% of survivors avoided major amputations.

Endovascular Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: Is Bilateral Wallstent Placement Superior to Unilateral Placement?

Purpose: To report our experience with unilateral versus bilateral stent placement in the treatment of malignant superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Methods: The records and films of 84 consecutive patients (69 men; mean age 64±10 years, range 39–79) referred for stent placement in malignant SVCS were reviewed for venous compromise, technical and clinical success, complications, and reocclusions. Wallstents were placed covering the SVC and both (bilateral technique) brachiocephalic veins (BCV) preferentially; unilateral stenting of only one BCV in addition to the SVC was performed based on operator preference or inability to access both sides. Technical success was defined as the ability to stent the SVC and at least one BCV; clinical success was the elimination of SVCS symptoms. Results: Technical success was achieved in 83 (99%) patients, using the unilateral technique in 22 and bilateral stenting in 61 patients. The groups did not differ with regard to age, sex, underlying diseases, or location and extent of venous compromise. Immediate clinical success was achieved in 20 (91%) of 22 patients in the unilateral group and 55 (90%) of 61 patients in the bilateral group. Two patients suffered late occlusion in the unilateral group, while in the bilateral group, 8 patients had early occlusion and 9 had late occlusion. Thus, the total occlusion rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the unilateral group. There was 1 other complication (pericardial tamponade) in the bilateral group, for a 28% total complication rate, which was significantly higher (p = 0.039) than the 9% in the unilateral group. The 1, 3, 6, and 12-month primary stent patency rates were 90%, 81%, 76%, and 69%, respectively. Patency tended to last longer in the unilateral group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.11). Conclusions: Although bilateral Wallstent placement achieved equal technical and clinical success, it tended to confer shorter-lived patency and caused more complications.

Endovascular Treatment of Arterial Injury as an Uncommon Complication after Orthopedic Surgery

PURPOSE To evaluate selective and superselective catheter therapy of serious arterial damage associated with orthopedic surgery of the pelvis, hip joint, femur, and knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1989 and 2005, 16 consecutive patients with arterial damage after orthopedic surgery (seven women, nine men; mean age, 62 years; age range, 21-82 y) underwent angiographic exploration. Seven patients were in hemodynamically unstable condition. Initial orthopedic procedures were iliac crest internal fixation (n = 1); total hip prosthesis (n = 3); revision of total hip prosthesis (n = 4); revision of acetabular cup prosthesis (n = 1); gamma-nailing, nail-plate fixation, or intramedullary nailing (n = 3); and total knee prosthesis (n = 4). RESULTS Angiography showed pseudoaneurysms (n = 11), vascular lacerations with active extravasation (n = 3), and arteriovenous fistulas with extravasation (n = 2). After angiographic documentation of serious arterial injury, 14 patients were treated with a single or coaxial catheter technique in combination with coils alone, coils and polyvinyl alcohol particles, coils and Gelfoam pledgets, or Gelfoam pledgets; or balloon occlusion with isobutyl cyanoacrylate and coils. Two patients were treated with covered stents. In all, bleeding was effectively controlled in a single session in 16 patients, with immediate circulatory stabilization. Major complications included death, pulmonary embolism, and postprocedural hematoma. CONCLUSION Selective and superselective catheter therapy may be used for effective, minimally invasive management of rare but potentially life-threatening vascular complications after orthopedic surgery.

Staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by ultrasound and duplex sonography: a comparison with angiography and operative findings

The pre-operative radiological assessment of proximal bile duct tumours is clinically important as resection may be limited by tumour extension along the bile ducts, into hepatic parenchyma or the adjacent vascular structures. Demonstration of the extent of biliary and vascular involvement can direct additional investigations and definitive treatment. 22 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were studied pre-operatively by conventional ultrasound (US) and duplex sonography (DS). The extent of tumour infiltration and vascular involvement was compared with arteriography and operative findings. Bile duct dilatation and the level of obstruction was documented by US in 22 (100%), and the tumour was shown by US in 19 (86%). In these 19 patients, the extent of extraductal extension compared with operative findings was correct in 13, underestimated in two, and in four infiltration was massed. Vascular patency or involvement was correctly determined by DS in 19 (86%), and by arteriography in 18 (82%). In two of the three incorrect DS interpretations, lobar atrophy and contralateral hypertrophy distorted the hilar anatomy. US with DS is valuable in the pre-operative staging of proximal bile duct tumours in predicting ductal and vascular involvement.

Acute Inflammatory Reaction Associated with Endoluminal Bypass Grafts

PURPOSE Nonspecific inflammatory reactions characterized by local tenderness, fever, and flu-like discomfort have been seen in patients undergoing endoluminal graft placement in the abdominal aorta or the femoral arteries. We undertook a study to assess the clinical and laboratory parameters of this inflammation. METHODS Ten patients with femoropopliteal artery (n = 9) or aortic (n = 1) lesions were treated with EndoPro System 1 stent-grafts made of nitinol alloy and covered with a polyester (Dacron) fabric. Eleven patients implanted with a bare nitinol stent served as the control group. RESULTS In the stent-graft group, four patients showed clinical signs of acute inflammation manifested by fever and local tenderness. Three of these patients suffered thrombosis of the stent-grafts during the first month of follow-up. Plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in all stent-graft patients were markedly increased 1 day after intervention (7.3 +/- 2.8 versus 90.2 +/- 34.1 pg/mL and 15.6 +/- 5.8 versus 175.5 +/- 66.3 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.01). This was followed by an increase in fibrinogen (3.0 +/- 0.2 versus 5.0 +/- 0.2 g/L; p < 0.05) and C-reactive protein (14.6 +/- 3.3 versus 77.5 +/- 15.0 mg/L; p < 0.01) at 1 week. No direct correlation between the inflammatory markers and symptoms could be found. In vitro analysis showed that individual components of the stent-graft did not activate human neutrophils, whereas the intact stent-graft itself induced a marked neutrophil activation. CONCLUSIONS The component of the self-expanding stent-graft responsible for the nonspecific inflammatory reaction was not identified in this study. It is likely that the stent-graft itself or some as yet unrecognized element of the device other than the Dacron fabric or metal alloy may be a potent in vivo inducer of cytokine reaction by neutrophils.

Endovascular brachytherapy after femoropopliteal balloon angioplasty fails to show robust clinical benefit over time.

Purpose: To determine if the short-term efficacy of adjunctive endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) is maintained over time in patients undergoing balloon angioplasty (BA) of femoropopliteal atherosclerotic lesions. Methods: To evaluate the long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of EVBT, 147 consecutive patients (82 men; mean age 70.8±8.5 years) with 147 treated limbs were randomized to BA with (n=72, 49%) or without (n=75, 51%) adjunctive EVBT (12 or 14-Gy from an 192Ir source, no centering, a 5-mm reference depth). Sixty-eight (46%) limbs were treated for de novo and 79 (54%) for recurrent femoropopliteal lesions. Clinical follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter included evaluation of symptoms, ankle-brachial index (ABI), and intra-arterial angiography for new/worsening symptoms or at follow-up between 2 and 5 years. Sustained clinical success was defined as improvement in ABI ≥0.1 and/or of symptoms without repeated target lesion revascularization. Angiographic restenosis was defined as ≥50% diameter reduction. Subgroup analysis was performed for de novo versus recurrent lesions. Results: Mean clinical follow-up was 32.3±21.5 months. Angiographic follow-up was available in 83 (56%) patients (41 BA and 42 BA+EVBT) at a mean 31.8±20.7 months. Cumulative sustained clinical success rates at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, were 84.3%, 82.1%, and 76.4% after BA versus 82.4%, 69.8%, and 67.5% after BA+EVBT (p=0.26 by log-rank). Although the proportion of patients undergoing follow-up angiography was moderate, the freedom from angiographic restenosis at 1, 2, and 3 years was 70.7%, 63.1%, and 47.1% after BA versus 82.7%, 64.3%, and 64.3% after BA+EVBT (p=0.16 by log-rank). No differences were found between BA and BA+EVBT outcomes in patients with de novo versus recurrent femoropopliteal lesions. Conclusion: The seemingly beneficial short-term effects of BA+EVBT are not sustained in the longer term, with no robust clinical improvement after angioplasty of atherosclerotic de novo or recurrent femoropopliteal lesions at up to 5 years.

Endovascular brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent renal in-stent restenosis.

Purpose: To examine the ability of endovascular brachytherapy to prevent recurrent in-stent restenosis in patients at high risk for this complication. Methods: Thirteen renal stent patients (8 women; mean age 66 ± 8 years) with an initial (n=9) or recurrent (n=4) in-stent restenosis underwent redilation followed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy (12 Gy of γ radiation delivered to the target site 5 mm from an iridium-192 source axis). Results: The procedure was technically successful in 11 (85%) patients; in the other 2, the renal artery could not be accessed with the large sheaths required for brachytherapy. One patient with no clinical suspicion of restenosis died of an unrelated cause during the 1-year follow-up. Eight (80%) of 10 patients alive at 1 year had no in-stent restenosis apparent on duplex sonography or angiography. One of the postradiation recurrent restenoses was redilated, but the other patient was treated conservatively. Conclusions: Renal angioplasty followed by brachytherapy seems to be a feasible and efficient method to prevent recurrent in-stent restenosis in renal arteries at increased risk.