T. Grochowiecki

Vascular Access for Haemodialysis in Patients with Central Vein Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES Dialysis-dependent patients often have central venous drainage complications. In patients with functioning arm arteriovenous fistula, this may result in venous hypertension, arm oedema and vascular access failure. Percutaneous angioplasty and stent implantation might be inadequate to resolve these issues. In these cases, new access can potentially be created with anastomosis to the subclavian vein, iliac vein or vena cava or by making a veno-venous graft to bypass the thrombosis. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of unusual bypasses in vascular access in patients with the central vein thrombosis. MATERIALS A total of 49 patients were treated. The mean number of previous vascular access surgery procedures was 7.6 (3-17). We performed 19 axillo-iliac, 14 axillo-axillary bypasses and 16 conduits from the arm fistula to the jugular (nine conduits) or subclavian (seven conduits) vein for haemodialysis purposes. RESULTS All fistulas except one were used for haemodialysis. One patient died before the first use of the fistula. At 12 months, the primary, primary assisted and secondary patency rates were 85.4%, 89.6% and 95.8%, respectively. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 84 months. CONCLUSION Unusual grafts are an efficient option as a permanent vascular access for haemodialysis purposes in patients with central vein occlusion.

Is Severe Atherosclerosis in the Aortoiliac Region a Contraindication for Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is common in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis. However, it has previously been considered to be a relative contraindication to kidney transplantation. Currently, patients with extended indications are accepted onto the waiting list, including those with severe atherosclerosis. These patients require vascular procedures before or during kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to present our experience with vascular reconstruction before kidney transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve atherosclerotic, uremic patients referred to be candidates for kidney transplantation were refused because of occlusive lesions of the iliac arteries or the distal aorta. The 10 males and 2 females had an age range of 45 to 68 years. Preoperative assessments consisted of a Doppler ultrasound and an angio computed tomography scan. The reconstructions were performed with aorto-biliac, aorto-bifemoral, or ilio-femoral dacron grafts in 7, 4, and 1 patient, respectively, under general anesthesia. RESULTS There were no major postoperative complications; the patients were discharged and placed on a special waiting list. Eight patients received kidney allografts, including one living-related transplantation. All procedures were performed with arterial anastomosis of the transplanted kidney to the side of the prosthesis. No patient developed signs of arterial graft infection. In the postoperative period, there were no arterial or transplanted kidney-related complications, except for delayed graft function in four cases. The remaining four patients are still on the waiting list. CONCLUSION In end-stage renal disease patients with severe atherosclerosis in the aortoiliac region, vascular reconstruction allows kidney transplantation.

Surgical Complications Related to Transplanted Pancreas After Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation

OBJECTIVE Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPTKx) is characterized by the high rate and variability of postoperative complications, which could be a limitation of this treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence, types, and severity of postoperative complications due to pancreas graft among the simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients. METHODS Postoperative complications related to transplanted pancreas among 112 SPTKx recipients were analyzed. The cumulative survival rates for pancreas graft function and cumulative freedom from complication on day 60 after transplantation were assessed. Severity of complications was classified according to a modified Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS The 12-month cumulative survival rate for pancreatic graft was 0.74. Cumulative freedom from complication on the 60th day after transplantation was 0.57. The rates for II, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and IVB severity grades were 10,6%, 4,5%, 19,7%, 44%, and 21,2%, respectively. The most severe (IVB) transplanted pancreas complications were due to graft inflammation, infection, pancreatic abscess, and local or diffuse necrosis. The most frequent reason for graft pancreatectomy was vascular thrombosis 35.9% (14/39). The mortality rate after graft pancreatectomy was significantly lower for vascular thrombosis than for infection (0/14 vs 11/25; P < .05). CONCLUSION Reducing vascular thrombosis could preserve graft function rate. Preventing graft inflammation and infection would reduce mortality.

Influence of Simultaneous Pancreas and Preemptive Kidney Transplantation on Severity of Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND Simultaneous pancreas and preemptive kidney transplantation (SPpreKT) seems to be the optimal treatment for the patients with diabetes type 1 who are progressing to end-stage renal disease. On the other hand, surgical complications with a high rate of relaparatomy are a limiting factor in pancreas transplantation. OBJECTIVE Comparison of severity of surgical complications was performed between a group of preemptive (SPpreKT group) and nonpreemptive recipients of SPKT (SPKT group). METHODS Between 1988 and 2010, we performed 112 SPKTs including 25 preemptive recipients (22.3%). The SPKT Group included 87 recipients (77.7%). The severity of complications was classified according to a modified Clavien scale: grade I, no complication; grade II, drug therapy; grade IIIA, invasive intervention not requiring general anesthesia; grade IIIB, invasive intervention requiring general anesthesia; grade IVA, graft failure; and grade IVB, death. RESULTS Among the SPpreKT group, 64% of recipients were free from postoperative complications compared with 40.3% of the SPKT group (P<.01). Among the SPKT group, 52 recipients (59.7%) developed 58 postoperative complications, including 15 (17.3%) deaths due to graft pancreatitis (80%) or pancreatic fistula (20%). Among the SPpreKT group, 9 recipients developed 9 complications. None of the preemptively transplanted group subjects experienced a lethal complication. Among the SPpreKT group, the most severe complication was graft pancreatitis leading to graft removal in 2 recipients. CONCLUSIONS Recipients of preemptive SPKT developed significantly fewer postoperative complications, especially deaths. However the rates of mild (II, IIIA) and moderate (IIIB) complications as well as graft failures (IVA) were similar to the nonpreemptive group.

Usefulness of 16-Row Multidetector Computed Tomography With Volume Rendering and Maximum Intensity Projection Reconstruction as a Monitor Pancreatic Graft Vessel Patency During the Early Postoperative Period

Thrombosis of the pancreatic graft vessels is the most common complication after transplantation. It leads to loss of 5% to 8% of grafts during the early postoperative period. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of 16-row multidetector computed tomography (16-MDCT) with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction to monitor pancreatic graft vessel patency during the early postoperative period and the efficacy of a heparin infusion as a treatment for graft thrombosis. Among 40 consecutive simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients, 16-MDCT was performed at 6 to 8 days after the operation. Secondary reconstructions were obtained with VR and MIP algorithms to evaluate the morphology and patency of the extra- and intrapancreatic arteries and veins. In cases of thrombosis, every patient was treated with an infusion of unfractionated heparin. In 15 recipients, thrombosis of the large vessels was detected by 16-MDCT. Heparin infusions saved five pancreatic grafts (5/15; 33.3%), but the other 10 pancreatic grafts were removed. In another four recipients (4/40; 10%) the thrombi were localized only in small intrapancreatic vessels. Treatment with heparin infusion was successful in 3/4 (75%) cases with patent vessels upon control computed tomography examination. We compared the efficacy of heparin treatment depending on the diameter of the thrombosed vessel, observing a significant difference (5/15 vs 3/4; P < .01; chi-square). 16-MDCT with secondary reconstruction by application of VR and MIP algorithms was an efficient method to visualize not only large pancreatic graft arteries and veins but also intrapancreatic parenchymal vessels. In cases of thrombosis of small intrapancreatic vessels, unfractionated heparin infusion significantly decreased graft loss.

Do high levels of serum triglycerides in pancreas graft recipients before transplantation promote graft pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE Graft pancreatitis is a serious complication following pancreas transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pretransplant serum lipid levels on the development of graft pancreatitis among patients undergoing simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (spkTx). METHODS We reviewed data from spkTx patients engrafted between 1999 and 2002. Group 1 consisted of 10 recipients with well-established pancreas and kidney graft function without postoperative pancreatitis; group 2 5 spkTx recipients who developed fatal graft pancreatitis in the first posttransplant month. The lipid parameters evaluated within 1 hour before transplantation and after hemodialysis included total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglicerides and apoproteins A and B. RESULTS Triglycerides, apoprotein B and VLDL were significantly increased just before transplantation among patients who developed fatal pancreatitis compared to those patients with good graft function. CONCLUSION Recipient hypertriglyceridemia promotes graft pancreatitis in previously injured pancreatic graft.

Early Complications Related to the Transplanted Kidney After Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation

OBJECTIVE Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPKTx) is the most often performed multiorgan transplantation. The main source of complication is transplanted pancreas; as a result, early complications related to kidney transplant are rarely assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence, types, and severity of postoperative complications due to kidney graft among the simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients. METHODS Complications related to transplanted kidney among 112 SPKTx recipients were analyzed. The indication for SPKTx was end-stage diabetic nephropathy due to long-lasting diabetes type 1. The cumulative survival rates for kidney graft function and cumulative freedom from complication on days 60 and 90 after transplantation were assessed. Severity of complications was classified according to the modified Dindo-Clavien scale. RESULTS The 12-month cumulative survival rate for kidney graft was 0.91. Cumulative freedom from complication on the 60th day after transplantation was 0.84. The rates for II, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and IVB severity grades were: 34.9%, 4.3%, 26.1%, 26.1%, and 8.6%, respectively. Acute tubular necrosis and rejection were the most frequent (43.4%) cause of complication. The most frequent reasons for graft nephrectomy were infections (2/7; 28.6%) and vascular thrombosis due to atherosclerosis of recipient iliac arteries (2/7; 28.6%). The most severe (IVB) complications were caused by fungal infection. CONCLUSION Rate and severity of complications due to renal graft after SPKTx was low; however, to prevent the most serious ones reduction of fungal infection was necessary.

Extracellular matrix proteins, proteolytic enzymes, and TGF-Beta1 in the renal arterial wall of chronically rejected renal allografts

Chronic rejection (CR) is the leading cause of long-term failure of transplanted kidneys. The vascular hallmark is intimal hyperplasia, accompanied by macrophage, foam cell, and T-cell infiltration. Intimal thickening results from the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells and increased deposits of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, due to release of growth factors and cytokines as well as altered ECM protein turnover. We assessed the content of fibronectin (FN) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) as well as the activities of collagenase and cathepsin B and L in renal artery walls of chronically rejected human renal allografts. We investigated renal artery samples from 8 patients with CR undergoing graftectomy, 12 patients undergoing nephrectomy, and 7 organ donors. The results were related to the DNA content of homogenates. Cathepsin B and L activities were significantly higher among those with compared with donors (P =.022). There was a trend toward higher collagenase activity in CR compared with donors and the nephrectomy group. TGF-beta1 was significantly enhanced in CR compared with donors (P =.010), and showed a trend toward higher concentrations in CR compared with the nephrectomy group. The trend was toward lower FN concentrations in CR compared with the nephrectomy group and toward higher concentrations compared with donors. Summarizing, renal CR is accompanied by enhanced proteinase activity, alterations of ECM proteins, and increased TGF-beta1 in the renal artery wall. We conclude that ECM turnover and cytokines play an important role in neointimal formation and CR pathogenesis.

Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in Loeys-Dietz syndrome

A 37-year-old woman with Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) was referred to our centre due to diameter progression (to 52 mm) of a dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) (Fig. 1). Medical history revealed previous acute thoracic aortic dissection with entry on the level of the left subclavian artery (LSA) five days after caesarean section in 2008. She underwent urgent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with stent-graft deployment intentionally occluding LSA and additional stent placement in the dissected superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Six years later, due to ascending aortic dissection, the patient underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement with transposition of brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery, with distal prosthetic anastomosis to the previously implanted stent-graft. Each procedure was performed in a different centre. Moreover, the patient suffered from poorly controlled asthma and obesity, and she did not agree to extensive open surgery. We had two major problems: the genetic origin of the dissection and difficulty of vascular access due to previous interventions. TEVAR resulted in complete LSA orifice closure, which precluded left brachial access. Brachiocephalic trunk was extremely tortuous after its transposition, thus hindering the possibility of right brachial access (Fig. 2). Nonetheless, the patient was scheduled for endovascular treatment using a custom-made device (CMD). Based on computed tomography (CT), a three-fenestration stent-graft with one upward branch was designed and manufactured by Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN, USA) (Fig. 3). Despite the fact that the left renal artery was directed downwards, an upward branch was designed due to the lack of upper vascular access. The surgery started with placement of a thoracic endograft through femoral access ending below the previously implanted stent-graft. Then, the CMD was introduced, and visceral arteries were identified in angiography. Afterwards, the stent-graft was partly opened to cannulate fenestrations. Balloon-expandable Bentley covered stents (Innomed, Hechingen, Germany) were introduced to the celiac trunk, SMA, and right renal artery. Then, the CMD was fully opened, overlapping with the previously implanted stent-graft, and stents were deployed. Next, the left renal artery was cannulated via the branch. The vessel was bridged with a stent-graft using a self-expandable Fluency covered stent (Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, AZ, USA) and reinforced with a Zilver bare stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA). Subsequently, a bifurcated stent-graft was deployed down to the common iliac arteries. Control angiography showed full patency of the stent-graft and visceral arteries. Postoperative stay and three-month follow-up were uneventful. Control CT showed full patency of the stent-graft, branches, and bridged vessels, and aneurysm sac shrinkage with insignificant endoleak type II left for further observation (Fig. 4). In conclusion, endovascular treatment o f TAAA in LDS is a feasible alternative for open surgery, even if it requires patient-tailored solutions. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the outcome of the procedure. Figure 1. Dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in computed tomography (white arrow — true lumen, black arrow — false lumen)

Balloon-grab technique to bridge steep renal artery during endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: technical note

The aim of the study is to describe an endovascular manoeuvre that can help in the cannulation and stenting of difficult renal arteries in endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion (EVAR) with a branched stent graft. Routinely, dedicated branch and target vessels are cannulated in antegrade fashion through a transaxillary approach. If renal arteries are steep, tortuous, and unfavourable, cannulation failure can preclude a successful endovascular procedure. In that situation, the guidewire slips off the artery. However, another guidewire and balloon can be introduced to the target vessel through femoral access. Expansion of an additional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon in the target vessel grabs the guidewire or catheter cannulated in typical fashion and prevents it from slipping off. At this point, a stiffer wire can be introduced, and the covered stent easily bridges the target vessel. The rest of the procedure is continued typically. Expansion of an additionally introduced balloon allows the surgeon to grab the guidewire in the renal artery, thus excluding an aneurysm during EVAR. Our early experience shows that this method is effective and durable.