Ref-1 protects against FeCl3 -induced thrombosis and tissue factor expression via the GSK3β–NF-κB pathway

Arterial thrombosis and its associated diseases are considered to constitute a major healthcare problem. Arterial thrombosis, defined as blood clot formation in an artery that interrupts blood circulation, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of many important factors that aggravates the pathophysiological process of arterial thrombosis. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has a multifunctional role in cells that includes the regulation of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression on arterial thrombosis induced by 60% FeCl3 solution in rats. Blood flow was measured to detect the time to occlusion, thrombus formation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the expression of tissue factor and other proteins was detected by Western blot. FeCl3 aggravated thrombus formation in carotid arteries and reduced the time to artery occlusion. Ref-1 significantly delayed arterial obstruction via the inhibition of thrombus formation, especially by downregulating tissue factor expression through the Akt-GSK3β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Ref-1 also reduced the expression of vascular inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and reduced the level of ROS that contributed to thrombus formation. The results showed that adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression reduced thrombus formation in the rat carotid artery. In summary, Ref-1 overexpression had anti-thrombotic effects in a carotid artery thrombosis model and could be a target for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

Ref-1 protects against FeCl3 -induced thrombosis and tissue factor expression via the GSK3β–NF-κB pathway

Arterial thrombosis and its associated diseases are considered to constitute a major healthcare problem. Arterial thrombosis, defined as blood clot formation in an artery that interrupts blood circulation, is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is one of many important factors that aggravates the pathophysiological process of arterial thrombosis. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) has a multifunctional role in cells that includes the regulation of oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression on arterial thrombosis induced by 60% FeCl3 solution in rats. Blood flow was measured to detect the time to occlusion, thrombus formation was detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the expression of tissue factor and other proteins was detected by Western blot. FeCl3 aggravated thrombus formation in carotid arteries and reduced the time to artery occlusion. Ref-1 significantly delayed arterial obstruction via the inhibition of thrombus formation, especially by downregulating tissue factor expression through the Akt-GSK3β-NF-κB signaling pathway. Ref-1 also reduced the expression of vascular inflammation markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and reduced the level of ROS that contributed to thrombus formation. The results showed that adenovirus-mediated Ref-1 overexpression reduced thrombus formation in the rat carotid artery. In summary, Ref-1 overexpression had anti-thrombotic effects in a carotid artery thrombosis model and could be a target for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

Nationwide Epidemiologic Study of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study Using National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Data

PURPOSE: The prevalence and treatment patterns of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) vary according to ethnicity and region. This study analyzed nationwide data on the epidemiology, practice patterns, and mortality rates of AAA in Korea.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from patients treated for AAA from 2012 to 2016 were extracted from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database.RESULTS: A total of 30,766 patients in Korea had treatment codes for AAA and 2,618 patients were treated for ruptured AAA. Of the 6,356 patients treated surgically, 1,849 and 4,507 underwent open surgical aneurysmal repairs (OSAR) or endovascular aneurysmal repairs (EVAR), respectively. The number of surgical treatments performed annually for AAA increased from 1,129 cases in 2012 to 1,501 cases in 2016. The number of EVAR cases increased from 753 to 1,109 during these five years, while the number of OSAR cases remained similar, at 376 and 392, respectively. The 30-day mortality rates after EVAR and OSAR were 4.2% and 10.6%, respectively. The mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. There were significant differences in the prevalence, proportion of EVAR, and mortality rates according to the regional area.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AAA and the proportion of EVAR in Korea increased in the past 5 years, while the rupture rate and the proportion of OSAR remained similar. To minimize mortality and regional discrepancies, nationwide registry and treatment standardization are needed.

Usefulness of Doppler Parameter in Patients with Renal Transplantation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of Doppler parameters in transplanted kidney function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Doppler parameters, including resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured in the interlobar artery of 55 transplant recipients. Patients were grouped according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR): Group A (GFR or = 30 ml / min / 1.73 m2, n = 28). Doppler parameters were compared between groups and correlated with the GFR. RESULTS: GFR (40.1 +/- 26.9) showed a significant negative correlation with RI (0.69 +/- .08) (p = .002, r = -.414). RI (0.72 vs. 0.67), PI (1.42 vs. 1.23), and EDV (10.5 vs. 15.3) differed significantly between groups (p < .05), however, PSV was not (36.9 vs. 47.1). Patients in group A (n = 11) with a lower RI than the mean had significantly lower PSV (31.7 vs. 45.1; p = .027) and EDV (11.1 vs. 16.7; p = .017), compared with such patients in group B (n = 21). CONCLUSIONS: Doppler parameters are useful for evaluation of function of transplanted kidney. Even if the RI is normal, PSV and EDV may be used as hemodynamic indicators.

Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunt: Successful Embolization Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II

A 67-year-old woman presented with memory impairment and behavioral changes. Brain MRI indicated hepatic encephalopathy. Abdominal CT scans revealed an intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt that consisted of two shunt tracts to the aneurysmal sac that communicated directly with the right hepatic vein. The large tract was successfully occluded by embolization using the newly available AMPLATZERTM Vascular Plug II and the small tract was occluded by using coils. The patient's symptoms disappeared after shunt closure and she remained free of recurrence at the 3-month follow-up evaluation.

Salvage Therapy for a Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistula for Hemodialysis

PURPOSE: Salvage procedures for a dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) are defined as operation or percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTA) for the AVF is inadequate for performing hemodialysis. This retrospective study was performed in order to identify the appropriate salvage treatment modality. METHODS: From April 2001 to October 2007, 132 salvage procedures in 100 patients were performed. We analyzed the overall cumulative patency rates of both the procedures and we compared them according to the type of primary AVF and the site and distribution of the stenoses. RESULTS: Fifty eight patients underwent operation, and 74 patients underwent PTA. The initial success rate was 77.59% for operation and 83.78% for PTA. The one year cumulative patency rates of operation and PTA were 46.11% and 21.62%, respectively (P=0.00). For the patients whose AVF had been created using autogenous vein, the one year cumulative patency rates of operation and PTA were 49.72% and 21.15%, respectively (P=0.04). According to the location and distribution of the stenoses, 56 patients (64.4%) with an autogenous AVF had juxta-anastomotic lesion. Among them, 23 patients underwent operation and 33 patients underwent PTA. The 1 year cumulative patency rates for these patients were 66.63% and 12.12%, respectively (P=0.00). For the treatment of the diffuse and multiple stenoses of the autogenous vein, PTA (n=14) showed a better patency rate than that of operation (P=0.00). CONCLUSION: Salvage therapy for a dysfunctional fistula prolonged their life span. Operation was superior to PTA for a juxta-anastomotic lesion of an autogenous AVF, but PTA had benefit over operation for the cases with diffuse and multiple stenoses.

The placement of an Implantable Chemoport via the External Jugular Vein as a Primary Route

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness and safety of the placement of an implantable chemoport via external jugular vein as a primary route for chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2007, a total of 108 implantable chemoports were placed on 325 patients for chemotherapy via the external jugular vein as a primary route. We placed a 9.6 F single lumen chemoport using a surgical procedure (n=89) and an interventional procedure (n=19), and evaluated the duration of catheterization days and treatment complications. RESULTS: An implantable chemoport was successfully installed in all cases. Furthermore, the duration of catheterization ranged from 2 to 461 days (mean: 187 days, total catheter days: 21,994). In addition, a total of 85 chemoports were removed due to complications (n=7) and termination of chemotherapy (n=78). A transient pulmonary air embolism occurring during a procedure was observed in one case. No pneumothorax or catheter malpositions were observed in the study subjects. Two chemoports were removed two days after implantation due to persistent tachycardia. In addition, five late complications occurred, which resulted in catheter occlusion (3 cases) (3%, 0.14/1000 catheter day) and infection in (2 cases) (2%, 0.09/1000 Catheter days). Lastly, no symptoms were attributed to a central vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the implantation of chemoports via the external jugular vein is a safe procedure. Moreover, the selection of the external jugular vein as a primary route is useful in determining chemoport insertion locations.

An Experience with Placement of a Stent-Graft in a Renal Artery Aneurysm via the Brachial Artery: A Case Report

We introduce here our case of a 4-cm, large saccular aneurysm in a patient with right flank pain that was treated by placement of a stent-graft via the left brachial artery. The large renal artery aneurysm was successfully occluded without any permanent sequela, although there were several complications that included intraprocedural renal arterial thrombosis, occlusion of the posterior segmental artery, a small thromboembolism in the left pons and a small arteriovenous fistula in the brachial artery. Stent-graft placement for treatment of renal arterial aneurysm is an effective and safe procedure, but the operator has to be cautious not to induce complications in case of using the brachial arterial approach.

Implantable Central Venous Port: Comparison between Interventional Radiological Procedure and Surgical Procedure

PURPOSE: We evaluated the results and complications of implantable port placement between the interventional radiological procedure and the surgical procedure. METHODS: From April 2001 to December 2003, 151 implantable ports were placed in 135 patients by an interventional radiologist and 191 ports were placed in 185 patients by a surgeon. RESULTS: The implantable port was successfully placed in all cases. The duration of catheterization was 219.8 days for the interventional radiological procedure and 203.8 days for the surgical procedure. 139 patients underwent port placement via the internal. jugular vein using the peel-away sheath by the interventional radiologist and 163 patients had their ports placed via the external jugular vein cut-down method by the surgeon. Early complications that occurred were pulmonary air embolism (1 case) and hematoma (1 case) for the radiological procedure and catheter malposition (1 case) for the surgical procedure. Late complications that occurred were infection (24 cases), catheter migration or occlusion (6 cases), catheter-related fever (4 cases) for the radiological procedure and infection (7 cases), migration (3 cases), central vein thrombosis (1 case), catheter-related fever (2 cases) for the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The safety of the surgical central venous port placement was high and the complication rate was low. In comparison with the interventional radiological procedure, the surgical procedure may be considered as a potentially useful primary procedure for implantable central venous port placement.

Implantable Central Venous Chemoport: Comparision of Results According to Approach Routes and Methods

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of placement of implantable port according to approach routes and methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2001 and October 2002, a total of 103 implantable chemoport was placed in 95 patients for chemotherapy using preconnected type (n=39) and attachable type (n=64). Puncture sites were left subclavian vein (n=35), right subclavian vein (n=5), left internal jugular vein (n=9), right internal jugular vein (n=54). We evaluated duration of catheterization days, complications according to approach routes and methods. RESULTS: Implantable chemoport was placed successfully in all cases. Duration of catheterization ranged from 8 to 554 days(mean 159, total 17,872 catheter days). Procedure related complications occurred transient pulmonary air embolism (n=1), small hematoma (n=1) and malposition in using preconnected type (n=2). Late complications occurred catheter migration (n=5), catheter malfunction (n=3), occlusion (n=1) and infection (n=11). Among them 15 chemoport was removed (14.5%). Catheter migration was occured via subclavian vein in all cases (13%, p=.008). Infection developed in 10.7% of patients(0.61 per 1000 catheter days). There were no catheter-related central vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Implantation of chemoport is a safe procedure. Choice of right internal jugular vein than subclavian vein for puncture site has less complications. And selection of attachable type of chemoport is convenient than preconnected type. Adequate care of chemoport is essential for long patency.