Luis Fernando Reis

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of stenosis of arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis

Background Thrombosis following stenosis of arteriovenous fistulae resulting in the loss of vascular access for hemodialysis is an important complication in patients with chronic renal failure. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is being used more frequently in the treatment of stenosis aiming at increasing the patency of arteriovenous fistulae. Objective To evaluate the primary patency of arteriovenous fistulae following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Patients and method Patients submitted to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the Angiology service of Hospital de Base in 2004 were analyzed over an average follow-up of 10 months (2 to 16 months). Results A total of 22 angioplasties were performed in 20 fistulae of 19 patients. Of the 19 patients, one did not complete follow-up and one presented with a rupture of the fistulae. The following complications occurred in the remaining 18 fistulae, three deaths with two fistulae patent until death; one exeresis of prosthesis due to infection (53 days after the procedure); two thromboses (3 and 49 days after the procedure) and four restenosis (3 were submitted to a second angioplasty and one treated surgically). At the end of the follow-up, 11 fistulae (55%) were patent and with a flow rate in hemodialysis > 300 mL/min. Primary patency was 82.4% over three months; 81.2% over six months; 54.5% over 9 months and 50% over 1 year. Conclusion Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an efficacious method for the correction of stenosis of arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis, prolonging the patency of the fistula and enabling new interventions.

Treatment of Internal Iliac Artery Pseudoaneurysm by an Endovascular Approach

Pseudoaneurysms of the internal iliac artery are uncommon and are usually associated with trauma. We report the case of a 32-year-old man with a 15-day history of trauma to the abdomen and edema of the lower left limb. An arteriogram demonstrated proximal occlusion of the popliteal artery and a pseudoaneurysm in the internal iliac artery. Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm was performed using segments of guide wire that occluded the pseudoaneurysm, followed by proximal occlusion, which was accomplished using coils. An arteriogram after the procedure revealed adequate occlusion of the lesion. This association of guide wires and coils is a treatment option in cases of pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery with large volumes needing to be occluded.

Chest Radiography as a Method of Screening for Occult Cancer in Patients With Idiopathic Deep Vein Thrombosis

The occurrence of neoplasms in patients with idiopathic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may result in a significant reduction in survival rates. The aim of our study was to assess the use of chest X-rays (CXRs) as a screening method of intrathoracic neoplasms in patients who with idiopathic DVT. In observational, cross-sectional study, the medical records of 99 patients with idiopathic DVT, who were submitted to CXR (during the hospital stay or within 30 days after discharge), were investigated. Of these patients, 15.1% had images suggestive of thoracic neoplasias (single or multiple pulmonary nodules and mediastinal widening). Neoplasms were diagnosed in 4 patients in the follow-up with CXR. The CXR is an option of early screening for thoracic neoplasms and other nonmalignant diseases in patients with idiopathic DVT.

Involvement of the oral cavity in a carotid pseudoaneurysm of an adolescent treated by an endovascular procedure

Pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery are uncommon and normally secondary to trauma of the cervical region. Frequently it is the throat and neck doctor who evaluates these patients. We report on the case of a 15-year-old patient with active bleeding via the oral cavity, headache, and later hematoma in the cervical region. Arteriography demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Angiography demonstrated successful embolization after the placement of coils and thus endovascular procedures are an alternative treatment for pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid arteries in adolescents.

Tratamento endovascular de aneurisma de ilíaca roto: relato de caso

The surgical mortality rate of ruptured iliac aneurysms is similar to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in terms of their location deep in the pelvis, difficult access to the distal iliac artery due to hematoma, adherences due to prior laparotomy and proximity of the ureter and venous structures. This study aims at highlighting the endovascular procedure as an alternative in the correction of this lesion. We report the case of a patient submitted to aortobiiliac prosthetic graft due to infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm 5 years ago, who presented with a ruptured aneurysm in the remaining segment of the left common iliac artery. The patient was hemodynamically stable after fluid replacement therapy and was submitted to urgent endovascular treatment. The treatment resulted in the exclusion of the aneurysm without endoleaks.

Braile vena cava filter and greenfield filter in terms of centralization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate complications experienced during implantation of the Braile Vena Cava filter (VCF) and the efficacy of the centralization mechanism of the filter. This retrospective cohort study evaluated all Braile Biomédica VCFs implanted from 2004 to 2009 in Hospital de Base Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. Of particular concern was the filter’s symmetry during implantation and complications experienced during the procedure. All the angiographic examinations performed during the implantation of the filters were analyzed in respect to the following parameters: migration of the filter, non-opening or difficulties in the implantation and centralization of the filter. A total of 112 Braile CVFs were implanted and there were no reports of filter opening difficulties or in respect to migration. Asymmetry was observed in 1/112 (0.9%) cases. A statistically significant difference was seen on comparing historical data on decentralization of the Greenfield filter with the data of this study. The Braile Biomédico filter is an evolution of the Greenfield filter providing improved embolus capture and better implantation symmetry.