Thomas M. Loh

Revision using distal inflow is a safe and effective treatment for ischemic steal syndrome and pathologic high flow after access creation

OBJECTIVE Ischemic steal syndrome (ISS) and pathologic high flow (HF) are a complications after hemodialysis access creation. Their management is complex and varied with most requiring surgical revision for correction of symptoms. Revision using distal inflow (RUDI) has been described in small series for the treatment of ISS. We present our experience with RUDI for the treatment of ISS and pathologic HF. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent RUDI for ISS from April, 2010 to March, 2014. Data collection included demographic characteristics, medical histories, subsequent procedures, volume flows, access usage, limb salvage, and patient survival. RESULTS We performed 29 RUDI procedures in 28 patients (16 women, 12 men). Indications for surgery were pathologic HF in 13 and ISS in 19. Ten percent had previous banding for ISS or HF. Sixty-nine percent of patients had a history of diabetes. Fifty-two percent had a history of atherosclerotic disease. Mean time to intervention from creation was 40 months (range, 6-88 months). Accesses included 1 upper arm graft and 27 brachial artery-based fistulas. Outflow included 25 cephalic veins and 3 basilic veins. Distalization targets were 19 radial arteries and 10 ulnar arteries. Mean flow reduction was 1191 mL/min. Primary assisted patency at 1 year was 74%. Secondary patency at 1 year was 87%. A single access was ligated for continued heart failure after RUDI. ISS symptom resolution was reported as complete in 69% and partial in 31%. CONCLUSIONS RUDI is an effective and durable treatment of ISS and HF comparable with reported experiences with distal revascularization-interval ligation, proximalization of the arterial inflow, and banding. Patient selection is key for optimizing relief of symptoms and maintaining use of the access.

Single-center retrospective review of ultrasound-accelerated versus traditional catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis:

Objective Systemic anticoagulation remains the standard for acute lower extremity (LE) deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but growing interest in catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and its potential to reduce the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) has led to advent of ultrasound-accelerated CDT (US-CDT). Few studies to date have examined the outcomes of US-CDT against traditional CDT (T-CDT). Methods This is a retrospective, single-center review of all patients treated for acute LE DVT over a five-year period with either US- and T-CDT. Patients were stratified based on demographics, presentation, co-morbidities, risk factors, and peri-procedural data. Results Seventy-six limbs in 67 patients were treated; 51 limbs in 42 patients were treated with US-CDT, and 25 limbs in 25 patients were treated with T-CDT. Adjuncts include: pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (n = 28 vs. 20, p = 0.04), angioplasty (n = 22 vs. 18, p = 0.11), stenting (n = 30 vs. 6, p ≤ 0.001), and IVC filter insertion (n = 5 vs. 0, p = 0.07). Mean lysis times were 21 ± 1.7 and 24 ± 1.8 h for US- and T-CDT, respectively (p = 0.26). Thirty (25 ultrasound, 5 traditional) limbs had complete lysis. Thirty-one (22 ultrasound, 9 traditional) limbs had incomplete lysis. Fifteen (4 ultrasound, 11 traditional) limbs had ineffective lysis (p = 0.002 in favor of ultrasound). Four patients (3 US-CDT, 1 T-CDT) had recurrent ipsilateral thrombosis within 30 days (p = 0.60). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, there were no significant difference between primary patency, primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, re-thrombosis, and recurrent symptoms at 6, 12, and 24 months. Conclusion US-CDT does not significantly improve mid-term patencies but results in greater acute clot burden reduction in patients with acute LE DVTs compared to T-CDT, which may be beneficial in reducing the long-term incidence of PTS.

Robotic-Assisted Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval

Although anticoagulation remains the mainstay of therapy for patients with venous thromboembolism, guidelines recommend the use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in those who fail anticoagulation or have contraindications to its use. Short-term use of filters has proven effective in reducing the rate of pulmonary embolism. However, their extended use is associated with a variety of complications such as thrombosis, filter migration, or caval perforation, thus making a case for timely filter retrieval. This is the case of a 68-year-old female with a history of chronic oral anticoagulation use for multiple deep venous thrombi (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE) who required cervical and thoracic spinal intervention for spondylosis and foramina stenosis. Given her increased risk of recurrent DVT and PE perioperatively, we elected to place a Cook Celect™ IVC filter (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN) after oral anticoagulation was stopped for the procedure. Her treatment course was prolonged due to wound-healing complications. We elected to use the Magellan Robotic Catheter System (Hansen Medical, Mountain View, CA) for filter retrieval when she presented 6 months later with caval perforation from the filter struts. With its ease of use, superior mechanical stability, and maneuverability, robot-assisted IVC filter retrieval may be a safer and more reliable substitute for traditional navigation techniques when presented with challenging filter retrievals.

Open Removal of Penetrating Inferior Vena Cava Filter with Repair of Secondary Aortic Dissection: Case Report

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are indicated for the management of venous thromboembolism in patients who are not candidates for anticoagulation, have a contraindication to anticoagulation or who have recurrent thromboembolism despite anticoagulation. As IVC filter usage has increased, there has been a corresponding increase in presentation of filter-related complications. Filter leg penetration is commonly seen although is infrequently associated with complications. But in a small percentage of patients, penetration can result in damage to adjacent structures: duodenum, lumbar spine, and rarely the aorta. We report the case of a 77-year-old man with a chronic aortoiliac dissection secondary to aortic IVC filter penetration who underwent open filter retrieval and aortic repair.

Retrograde Pedal Access

Retrograde pedal access is performed for difficult to cross arterial lesions. In conjunction with traditional brachial/femoral antegrade access, it can be used for the “body floss” technique. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, and complications of these procedures. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.

A novel technique combining laparoscopic and endovascular approaches using image fusion guidance for anterior embolization of type II endoleak

Type II endoleak (T2E) leading to aneurysm sac enlargement is one of the challenging complications associated with endovascular aneurysm repair. Recent guidelines recommend embolization of T2E associated with aneurysmal sac enlargement. Various percutaneous and endovascular techniques have been reported for embolization of T2E. We report a novel technique for T2E embolization combining laparoscopic and endovascular approaches using preoperative image fusion. We believe our technique provides a more direct access to the lumbar feeding vessels that is typically challenging with transarterial or translumbar embolization techniques.