Michał Zawadzki

Critical Hand Ischemia After Radial Access for Coronary Angiography – Case Report

Summary Background Radial artery is now the most frequent access for coronary angiography and intervention. Despite the common opinion that it is safer than femoral access, it has the potential for serious complications. One of them is upper limb ischemia caused by radial artery thrombosis. Case Report We are presenting a case of critical hand ischemia after coronary angiography performed through radial access despite existing risk factors, which may be considered as relative contraindications. Conclusions In the presented case, decision was made to use radial access despite several risk factors of upper limb ischemia – diabetes, end-stage renal failure, hyperparathyroidism, or even symptoms of left upper limb ischemia. Furthermore, for diagnostic coronary angiography 5F instead of 4F introducer was used.

Evaluation of Endovascular Embolization of Cerebral Aneurysms by Hydrogel Coils

Summary Background Hydrogel coils were created to improve the chances of an effective endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Achieving a high packing density of coils in the lumen of aneurysms can decrease the risk of recurrence. The aim of the present study is to report our initial experience on the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the use hydrogel coils. Material/Methods Sixty patients (age: 28–72 years) (45 women, 15 men) were treated. In 18 patients (30%), subarachnoid hemorrhage was present. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of cerebral vessels with rotational scanning was performed. Image analysis was performed by the Philips Integris 3D RA device,which is a specialized workstation (Three-Dimensional Rotational Angiography). 3D reconstructions of cerebral arteries were created based on the data. Sixty-six cerebral aneurysms were embolized with hydrogel coils, which expand in contact with blood. reaching the maximum diameter in about 20 minutes. In 29 aneurysms (43.9%), the effect of the procedure was confirmed on a follow-up DSA after 8.0±4.1 months from the initial treatment. Results A complete embolization was performed in 55 aneurysms (83.3%), and partial embolization in 11 aneurysms (16.7%). In 6 aneurysms (9.1%), re-embolization was necessary and it resulted in a complete embolization of 5 aneurysms. On a follow-up DSA, complete embolization was present in 25 aneurysms (86.2%), and partial embolization in 4 aneurysms (13.8%), respectively. Conclusions Endovascular embolization with hydrogel coils is an effective and safe treatment method for cerebral aneurysms, although it carries the risk of some complications.

Ocena skuteczności leczenia endowaskularnego zwężeń i niedrożności tętnicy biodrowej wspólnej oraz zewnętrznej przy użyciu stentu samorozprężalnego Jaguar SM

Summary The goal of this work was to assess the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of common and external iliac artery stenosis/occlusion classified according to TASC using a self-expanding stent Jaguar SM. The study group included 95 patients (61 men and 34 women) who underwent treatment for stenosis or occlusion of lower limb arteries at the Department of Radiology of the University Hospital in Bialystok and the Diagnostic Radiology Department of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior (MSWiA) in Warsaw between 2005 and 2007. All arterial lesions were of atherosclerotic etiology. The shortest stenotic fragment was 10 mm long and the longest occluded arterial fragment did not exceed 90 mm. Morphological classification of iliac artery lesions in treated patients was performed according to TASC II classification and included 10 patients with type A, 39 cases of type B, 36 with type C and 10 patients with type D lesions. Endovascular procedure failed to restore flow in five patients with TASC type D lesions, who were later referred for surgery. One patient suffered a complication – vessel perforation during predilatation, and had a stentgraft implanted. In 95% of patients stents were expanded using a balloon after implantation. Good results were achieved in practically all patients who underwent stent implantation. Patients were subjected to follow-up clinical and imaging evaluation during next 1–24 months. Success rate of the performed procedures as well as in a 30-day observation period was 100% in case of stenosis and 80% in case of vessel occlusion. A follow-up after 12 and 24 months showed patency of treated vessels in 84% and 76% of patients, respectively.