Justin Eisenberg

Clinical correlation of anatomical location of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion.

Objective Treatment of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions is an active area of research. Intravascular ultrasound allows its localization. We chose intravascular ultrasound to clarify the exact anatomical location of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions and correlate it with clinical findings. Materials and methods Over seven months, we performed ilio-femoral intravascular ultrasound studies on 217 patients, in 141 women and 76 men. The average age ± standard deviation was 68 ± 14 years. We used intravascular ultrasound intraoperatively to measure the ilio-femoral veins and compared it with adjacent non-stenotic ilio-femoral veins. If more than 50% area or diameter reduction was found, it was treated with appropriate balloon and stent. Results We identified 244 lesions, 124 in left lower extremity and 120 in the right lower extremity. The most common site was the proximal common iliac vein 38.7% (22.5% females and 16.12% males) in left lower extremity and middle external iliac vein 29.16% (18.33% females and 10.83% males) in right lower extremity. The least common site was the distal external iliac vein in 3.2% (all 3.2% females) and the distal external iliac vein 7.5% (5% females and 2.5% males) in right lower extremity. Clinical correlation was noted between laterality and location of the NIVL lesion (p < 0.0001). Conclusion This analysis gives an insight into understanding the exact anatomical locations of the non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions helping clinicians and researchers guide their treatment and research.

Endoureteral coil embolization of an ureteral arterial fistula

Background Ureteral arterial fistulas are rare but potentially life threatening. We present a female who developed a ureteral arterial fistula following a right robotic nephrectomy. After several endovascular interventions to control the bleeding had failed, we approached the fistula through the right ureteral stump with coil embolization. Methods Coil embolization of the right ureteral stump was performed. We utilized a 6Fr × 45 cm sheath inserted through one of the cystoscope channels to cannulate the right ureteral orifice. We then performed a retrograde ureterogram. After, we were able to visualize full length of the ureter, ahd we began placing several 10–12 mm Nester coils to pack the ureter and tamponade the fistula for hemostasis. After the ureter was packed, we injected 1 g of Vancomycin into the ureter. The sheath and cytoscope were removed and the patient did well and was sent to the recovery room. Results Postoperatively, the patient had no complaints of hematuria and her hemoglobin level remained unchanged. She was observed for a few days prior to being discharged to home. The patient’s follow-up at six months revealed resolution of her hematuria. Conclusion Ureteral arterial fistula is a potentially life-threatening condition. Endovascular stenting has provided a safe, reliable alternative to open surgery. However, when endovascular options are not satisfactory, coil embolization of the ureteral stump may serve as a safe and effective alternative treatment for these cases.

The bull's eye sign and other suprainguinal venographic findings to limit the use of intravascular ultrasound in patients with severe venous stasis

OBJECTIVE When assessing the common femoral and suprainguinal veins in patients with venous stasis, it is generally agreed that use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is mandatory. This widely held dogma is reinforced by the fact that extrinsic compression of the iliac veins does not reproduce images consistent with eccentric stenosis as one sees in the arterial system. In an attempt to identify a subgroup of patients where the use of IVUS could be averted, we analyzed and carefully evaluated the images of patients who had both standard contrast venograms and IVUS examinations. METHODS Ninety-two common femoral and suprainguinal venograms performed during a recent 6-month period were randomly selected for analysis. Good quality venographic images were found in 88 of these limbs (78 patients) that also had IVUS data formed the basis of this analysis. All venograms included visualization of the common femoral, external and common iliac veins, and inferior vena cava. These veins were classified as (1) normal to mild (type I) vein narrowing or dilatation of ≤20% compared with the adjacent segment, (2) moderate (type II) ≥21%-40%, (3) severe (type III) ≥41%, and (4) bulls eye sign (type IV). The latter was defined as a central circle with minimal or no dye within a dilated vein and forking of the dye around the circle. RESULTS In the present series, no 1-month mortality or 1-month morbidity was observed in these patients. The Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathologic (CEAP) classification score was class II in 24 cases (26%), class III in 36 cases (39%), class IV in 17 cases (18%), class V in nine cases (10%), and class VI in six cases (7%). There was no venographic or IVUS evidence of inferior vena cava stenosis or dilatation in this series. Of the venograms studied, 88 had positive intravascular ultrasound (PIVUS) or positive predictive value findings. The correlation of venographic findings and PIVUS was as follows: type I cases (26) had 85% PIVUS; type II (22) had 100% PIVUS; type III (25) had 100% PIVUS, and type IV (19) had 100% PIVUS. CONCLUSIONS The new proposed classification of venographic findings can be used to treat more than two-thirds of the patients without resorting to the use of IVUS.

Safety and efficacy of stenting nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions in octogenarians and nonagenarians in an office setting

Objectives Treatment options for venous insufficiency are rapidly evolving in the office setting and include venography, intravascular ultrasound, and venous stenting. Non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions assessment and treatment in an office setting is currently an area of interest. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of evaluating non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion with this office-based procedure in octogenarians and nonagenarians. Methods From January 2012 through December 2013, 300 non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion limbs in 192 patients with venous insufficiency ≥80 years old were evaluated for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion. Patients were evaluated and treated with venography, intravascular ultrasound, and stent placement for significant lesions demonstrated by greater than 50% diameter or cross-sectional area reduction. Group 1: 168 of these patients were octogenarians; female/male ratio was 1.75:1, bilateral in 89/168 patients (53%), left sided in 131/259 limbs (51%), right sided in 128 limbs (49%), average age 83.5 ± 2.6 years (range 80–89) compared to Group 2: 24 nonagenarians; female/male was 3:1, bilateral in 17/24 patients (70%), left sided in 20/41 limbs (49%), right sided in 21/41 limbs (51%), average age 92.9 ± 2.2 years (range 90–99). Stent related outcomes were evaluated with communication to the patient within 24 h to assess post-procedure pain followed by serial iliocaval ultrasonography. Results Out of the 300 limbs evaluated, in Group 1, 86% of limbs had stents placed compared to 90% in Group 2 and 11% of both groups had two stents placed. Overall improvement in pain, edema, and ulcers was reported in 147 (59%) of octogenarians and 24 (65%) of nonagenarians. There were no surgical site infections, pseudo-aneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, or femoral artery injuries. No patients required transfusion within three days post-operatively and there were no 30-day mortalities in both sets of patients. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that there is no statistical difference in the outcome of performing venography, intravascular ultrasound, and stent placement in an office-based setting in octogenarians and nonagenarians. Both groups maintained a similar safety profile with low morbidity and mortality. In conclusion, we believe that the treatment of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion in an office-based setting is safe and efficacious in both groups.

Clinical outcomes of direct oral anticoagulants after lower extremity arterial procedures

Objectives The use of postoperative anticoagulation is not uncommon for patients undergoing lower extremity arterial procedures as adjunctive therapy. Longer postoperative length of stay is necessary to achieve adequate therapeutic international normalized ratio with traditional protocols that call for the use of unfractionated heparin and warfarin therapy. We hypothesized the direct oral anticoagulants are an attractive alternative to provide adequate anticoagulation in patients who undergo lower extremity arterial procedures. Methods We retrospectively studied patients who had lower extremity arterial procedures between 2012 and 2015 to examine the safety and efficacy of the direct oral anticoagulants in a single institution. Patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were evaluated. The direct oral anticoagulant agents used included dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. The primary patency, adverse effects and freedom from re-intervention were then compared to a control group of patients who were treated with traditional heparin–warfarin therapy after lower extremity bypass procedures. Results Direct oral anticoagulants were utilized in a total of 23 patients (48% men; mean age 69 ± 11 years) during the study period. Indication for use of direct oral anticoagulant after procedure included use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass graft below the knee joint or after lower extremity angioplasty with disadvantaged runoff. Mean follow-up of the drugs was 23 months (SD ± 16 months). At the end of follow-up, the direct oral anticoagulants have been discontinued in four patients, who are currently only on plavix. Among 82.6% of patients who were given direct oral anticoagulants for PTFE bypasses, graft patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. Patients (17.4%) treated with direct oral anticoagulants for disadvantaged runoff after balloon angioplasty of the lower extremity, patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. For the patients who underwent direct oral anticoagulant administration for disadvantaged runoff primary patency was 100%. One patient developed wound dehiscence which was unrelated to direct oral anticoagulant administration. Our control group consisted of 100 patients who were treated with heparin–warfarin therapy for 30 days after lower extremity bypass procedures. The graft patency, freedom from intervention, and major adverse limb event were 93%, 12%, and 0%, respectively. There was however no statistically significant difference in graft patency rate (P = .34) or freedom from intervention (P = .07) between the two groups. Conclusions The preliminary data suggest that there may be a role for using the direct oral anticoagulants with patients who undergo lower extremity arterial procedures for prevention of thrombosis and warrants further investigation.