Fístula arteriovenosa con elevación de la vena basílica. Reporte de casos / Arteriovenous fistula with basilic vein elevation. Case series

RESUMEN Las fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) se requieren para hemodiálisis permanente. Las recomendaciones de acceso preferidas son radio cefálica, braquiocefálica, braquio-basilica con elevación o transposición y tunelización. El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar la experiencia con la creación de FAV con vena basílica elevada. Entre junio 2017 y marzo 2020, se realizaron trece FAV braquio-basílicas con técnica de elevación de acuerdo al registro de cirugías realizadas por la Unidad, siete hombres y seis mujeres. La edad media fue 65,7 años. En el post operatorio temprano hubo hematomas de antebrazo en dos casos, infección de herida en dos casos, así como un caso de edema. En el periodo de seguimiento, tres no maduraron, y tres pacientes fallecieron; mientras que las FAV restantes aún están funcionando. En conclusión, la FAV braquio-basilica con vena elevada es una alternativa en pacientes que ya han agotado otras opciones.

ABSTRACT Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is necessary for hemodialysis access. The preferred configurations are radial-cephalic, brachial-cephalic, and brachial-basilic with elevation or transposition and tunneling. The purpose of this study was to present our experience for creating arteriovenous fistulae using the elevation of the basilic vein technique. Between June 2017 and March 2020, thirteen brachial-basilic fistulae with elevation of the basilic vein were performed in seven male and six female subjects. Their mean age was 65.7 years. During the early post-op period, there were two cases of forearm hematoma, wound infection in two cases, and edema in one case. During the follow-up period, three fistulae did not have a good progression, and three patients died; the remaining AVFs are still working. In conclusion, brachial-basilic AVF with elevation of the basilic vein is an alternative in patients who have already exhausted other access options.

Tinnitus pulsátil asociado con shunt arteriovenosos de origen dural: reporte de caso / Pulsatile tinnitus associated with shunt arteriovenous of dural origin: case report

El tinnitus es una entidad común y al ser de características pulsátiles es importante identificar su etiología dado los riesgos y morbilidad que conlleva, como tumores de origen vascular o malformaciones arteriovenosas. Objetivo: se describe el caso de una paciente con tinnitus pulsátil asociado con un shunt arteriovenoso de origen dural que recibió tratamiento endovascular. Resultados: mostrar el seguimiento clínico y endovascular de una paciente con tinnitus pulsátil con malformación arteriovenosa y resolución de síntomas a los 18 meses de seguimiento. Discusión: la importancia de estudiar los pacientes con tinnitus pulsátil radica en determinar posibles causas de origen vascular que expliquen sus síntomas, las cuales, en su mayoría, no son evidentes en la valoración inicial. Conclusión: realizar un diagnóstico adecuado permite optimizar el tratamiento de cada paciente; en el tinnitus pulsátil asociado con shunts arteriovenosos la embolización selectiva suele ser exitosa y segura, y logra resolver por completo los síntomas.

Tinnitus is a commun entity, as it's pulsatile characteristics, it's important to identify its etiology given the risk and morbidity that entails, such as tumors of vascular origin or arteriovenous malformations. Objective: to describe the clinical case of a patient with pulsatile tinnitus associated with an arteriovenous shunt of dural origin, this patient received endovascular treatment. Results: To show the clinical followup and endovascular findings of a patient with pulsatile tinnitus with arteriovenous malformation who required endovascular treatment, the patient shows resolution of symptoms in the follow-up at 18 months. Discussion: The importance of studying patients with pulsatile tinnitus lies in determining possible causes of vascular origin that explain their symptoms, wich're mostly not evident in the initial evaluation. Conclusion: Making an adequate diagnosis allows optimizing the treatment of each patient, in pulsatile tinnitus associated with arteriovenous shunts, selective embolization's usually successful and safe, allowing the symptoms to be completely resolved.

Nursing care with surgical arteriovenous shunt in renal dialysis: a validation study / Cuidado de enfermería con la derivación arteriovenosa quirúrgica en la diálisis renal: estudio de validación / Cuidado de enfermagem com a derivação arteriovenosa cirúrgica na diálise renal: estudo de validação

ABSTRACT Objectives: to validate a care protocol for the monitoring and prevention of arteriovenous fistula complications. Methods: a validation methodological study with a quantitative approach, developed in a university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Results: scientific evidence was gathered from 20 researches. A care protocol was developed, composed of 15 items and divided into 3 sessions. The protocol was validated by a group of 11 experts, obtaining a content validity index of 0.95. Conclusions: the protocol proposes nursing care capable of preventing and monitoring arteriovenous fistula complications, punctured with a traditional technique, taking into account the actions implemented from patients' entry into the machine until the end of therapy.

RESUMEN Objetivos: validar un protocolo asistencial para monitoreo y prevención de complicaciones de fístula arteriovenosa. Métodos: estudio metodológico de validación con abordaje cuantitativo, desarrollado en un hospital universitario de la cuidad de Río de Janeiro. Resultados: se extrajeron evidencias científicas de 20 encuestas. Fue elaborado un protocolo asistencial compuesto por 15 ítems divididos en 3 sesiones. El protocolo fue validado por un grupo de 11 expertos, obteniendo un índice de validez de contenido de 0.95. Conclusiones: el protocolo propone cuidados de enfermería capaces de prevenir y monitorear las complicaciones de la fístula arteriovenosa, puncionada con técnica tradicional, tomando en consideración las acciones implementadas desde la entrada del paciente en la máquina hasta el final de la terapia.

RESUMO Objetivos: validar um protocolo assistencial para monitoramento e prevenção de complicações de fístula arteriovenosa. Métodos: estudo metodológico de validação com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido em um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: foram extraídas evidências científicas de 20 pesquisas. Foi elaborado um protocolo assistencial composto por 15 itens divididos em 3 sessões. O mesmo foi validado por um grupo de 11 especialistas, obtendo um índice de validade de conteúdo de 0.95. Conclusões: o protocolo propõe cuidados de enfermagem capazes de prevenir e monitorar as complicações da fístula arteriovenosa, puncionada com técnica tradicional, levando em consideração as ações implementadas desde a entrada do paciente na máquina até o final da terapia.

Effect of contralateral saphenous vein bypass in the treatment of chronic femoral vein obstruction / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To study the feasibility and practicability of contralateral saphenous vein bypass in the treatment of chronic femoral vein obstruction.Methods A retrospective analysis was consisted of 33 patients who received contralateral great saphenous vein bypass during the period of June 2013 to June 2017 in the Deperrtment of Biloary Vascular Surgery of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.All patients after operation were followed up of 2 months deadline to August 2017 by telephone or outpatient,the follow-up content including lower limb activity after resting and subjective sensation,lower limb swelling degree and so on.The measurement data was expressed by mean standard deviation ((x) ± s),paired samples t test was used for comparison among groups.Linear correlation coefficient was used to describe the difference between ankle circumference and the time to maintain anticoagulation therapy after acute thrombosis,then we explored the effect and advantages of this surgical methods.Results Compared with the preoperative index,the activated partial thromboplastin time [(21.93 ± 3.36) svs(18.11 ±2.24)s,P＜0.05],the thrombus elastic map R value[(5.45 ±0.73)min vs(4.20 ± 0.39) min,P ＜ 0.05],the D-dimer [(3 502.79 ± 4 028.02) μg/L vs (5127.76 ± ± 4722.42) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05] and the ankle circumference [(22.23 ± 1.28) cm vs (25.38 ± 0.78) cm,P ＜ 0.05] were improved,and the prothrombin time [(12.63 ± 1.74) s vs (12.32 ± 1.14),P ＞0.05] showed no difference before and after the operation (P ＞ 0.05).With the extension of time,the effect of bypass on the treatment of lower limb edema weakened.Postoperative follow-up indicated that 33 cases of patients were unobstructed and returned to normal state,21 cases could tolerated normal physical activity and had no or mild swelling,12 cases occasional had moderate swelling while the swelling could disappear after lying down for a rest,symmetric of double lower limbs in all patients returned to acceptable degree and did not affect the clothing or appearance.Conclusion The contralateral saphenous vein bypass operation has better effect and less trauma,it can improve the lower limb edema and endogenous coagulation system of chronic obstructive iliac vein disease,and the effect is better after conservative treatment for half a year.

A Case of Achieving Complete Remission with Combination of Stereotac-tic Body Radiation Therapy and Transarterial Chemoemoblization in Pa-tients with 4.8 cm Sized Infiltrative Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Arte-riovenous Shunt

Infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have a poor prognosis because most patients present with advanced disease. Although tumor size is small, ablation therapy is difficult because it is difficult to delineate tumor boundary and tumor often combined vascular invasion. Therefore many clinicians still try locoregional therapy (LRT) such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiation therapy (RT), or combination with LRT and sorafenib in this situation. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is new technology providing very highly conformal ablative radiation dose and is expected to salvage modality for HCC showed incomplete response of TACE due to combined arteriovenous (AV) shunts. Based on above suggestions, we herein offer our experience of a complete remission of tumor by combination of SBRT and TACE in a patient with infiltrative HCC. Further study, maybe regarding a combination of locoregional and systemic therapy is necessary on how to manage infiltrative HCC with AV shunts.

The application status of vascular access at initiation of hemodialysis in patients with end stage renal disease-a single center study / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the types and outcome of vascular access in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) initiated hemodialysis (HD), and provide the basis for advancing the proportion of planned HD with arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Methods Clinical data, vascular access types at the initiation of HD, the outcomes of all types of dialysis access and the conversion of renal replacement therapy of ESRD patients who initiated HD in the first affiliated hospital of zhejiang university between January 2009 and December 2011 were retrospectively studied. Results A total of 836 patients were included in our study. Among them 510 were males and 326 were females. The average age was (49.77 ± 17.65) years old. The major primary diseases were primary glomerular disease (72.73%), diabetic nephropathy (11.60%)and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (3.95%). Only 73 patients (8.73%) used AVF as the vascular access at the initiation of HD, another 763 patients (91.27%) used central venous catheter. Six months after the start of dialysis, 542 patients (81.5%) had used AVF as permanent vascular access, 123 patients (18.5%)had used the tunneled cuffed catheter, 54 patients had received a transplant and 55 patients had converted to peritoneal dialysis. The results of logistic regression analysis suggested that being male, patients from outside hangzhou and patients whose glomerular filtration rate were lower than 5 ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 were the risk factors of using central venous catheters at the initiation of HD. Conclusions Only a minority of patients used AVF at the initiation of HD, but most of the other patients switched to AVF within the following six months. Increasing the proportion of AVF as the vascular access of planned HD is still our current goal.

Treatment of Hemodialysis Vascular Access Rupture Irresponsive to Prolonged Balloon Tamponade: Retrospective Evaluation of the Effectiveness of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Seal-Off Technique

OBJECTIVE: The current study retrospectively evaluated whether the percutaneous N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) seal-off technique is an effective treatment for controlling the angioplasty-related ruptures, which are irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for failed or failing hemodialysis vascular accesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 1588 interventions performed during a 2-year period for dysfunction and/or failed hemodialysis vascular access sites in 1569 patients. For the angioplasty-related ruptures, which could not be controlled with repeated prolonged balloon tamponade, the rupture sites were sealed off with an injection of a glue mixture (NBCA and lipiodol), via a needle/needle sheath to the rupture site, under a sonographic guidance. Technical success rate, complications and clinical success rate were reported. The post-seal-off primary and secondary functional patency rates were calculated by a survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Twenty ruptures irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade occurred in 1588 interventions (1.3%). Two technical failures were noted; one was salvaged with a bailout stent-graft insertion and the other was lost after access embolization. Eighteen accesses (90.0%) were salvaged with the seal-off technique; of them, 16 ruptures were completely sealed off, and two lesions were controlled as acute pseudoaneurysms. Acute pseudoaneurysms were corrected with stentgraft insertion in one patient, and access ligation in the other. The most significant complication during the follow-up was delayed pseudoaneurysm, which occurred in 43.8% (7 of 16) of the completely sealed off accesses. Delayed pseudoaneurysms were treated with surgical revision (n = 2), access ligation (n = 2) and observation (n = 3). During the follow-up, despite the presence of pseudoaneurysms (acute = 1, delayed = 7), a high clinical success rate of 94.4% (17 of 18) was achieved, and they were utilized for hemodialysis at the mean of 411.0 days. The post-seal-off primary patency vs. secondary patency at 90, 180 and 360 days were 66.7 +/- 11.1% vs. 94.4 +/- 5.4%; 33.3 +/- 11.1% vs. 83.3 +/- 8.8%; and 13.3 +/- 8.5% vs. 63.3 +/- 12.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the NBCA seal-off technique is effective for immediate control of a venous rupture irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for hemodialysis accesses. Both high technical and clinical success rates can be achieved. However, the treatment is not durable, and about 40% of the completely sealed off accesses are associated with developed delayed pseudoaneurysms in a 2-month of follow-up. Further repair of the vascular tear site, with surgery or stent-graft insertion, is often necessary.

Utilização da técnica do varal para angioplastia de estenose de veia central com stent-graft / Utilization of the through-and-through technique for central vein angioplasty using stent-graft

A estenose de veia central é uma das situações mais frequentes em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise. A angioplastia com o uso de stent-graft tem obtido bons resultados nestes casos. O sistema de liberação dos stents é de calibre maior, podendo dificultar sua navegabilidade em áreas de estenose ou tortuosidade acentuadas. A técnica do varal é comumente utilizada para o tratamento endovascular do aneurisma de aorta, permitindo atingir bom mecanismo de estiramento e facilitando a navegação do sistema de entrega da endoprótese. Descrevemos o caso de uma angioplastia de veia central com stent-graft na qual foi utilizada a técnica do varal para permitir a transposição da área de estenose.

The central vein stenosis is one of the most common conditions in patients with chronic kidney failure in a hemodialysis program. In these cases, angioplasty using stent-grafts has obtained good results. The stent-graft delivery system is generally of large diameter what can hinder its navigability in very severe stenosis or tortuosities. The through-and-through technique is commonly used for endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms, making possible to achieve a good mechanism of stretch and easy navigation of the endograft delivery system. We report a case of a central venous stenosis in wich a stent-graft was inserted using the through-and-through technique in order to cross the lesion.

Tratamento da síndrome de roubo de fístula arteriovenosa pela técnica de revascularização distal e ligadura arterial: relato de três casos / Treatment of hemodialysis access steal syndrome by distal revascularization arterial ligature: report of three cases

Fístulas arteriovenosas para hemodiálise podem apresentar complicações a longo prazo. Entre as complicações mais raras, há a isquemia distal por síndrome de roubo. Os autores relataram a experiência de três casos de pacientes portadores de fístulas braquiocefálicas, em funcionamento por longo prazo e que evoluíram com isquemia crítica do membro, sem resposta com tratamento clínico. Com o intuito de tratar esta afecção e preservar o acesso vascular, optou-se pela realização da revascularização distal interposta por ligadura arterial. Devido à raridade dos casos, relatou-se a experiência e apresentou-se uma revisão de literatura.

Arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis may present long-term complications. Among the least frequent complications, there is the steal syndrome. The authors report the experience of three patients that presented with critical limb ischemia years after the access confection of brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas, with little response to clinical treatment. Distal revascularization interval ligation was performed in all cases, with good outcome. Due to small quantity of the cases, we decided to report the experience and review the literature on the subject.

Careful Physical Examination Saves Unnecessary Duplex Ultrasonogram in Patients Who Need Vascular Access for Hemodialysis in Korea / 대한혈관외과학회지

PURPOSE: About 30% of the cause of admission of the patient with end-stage renal disease is reported to be related with complications of vascular access (VA). To achieve good outcome after VA surgery, routine mapping of artery and vein is recommended for the patients who are planned to have vascular access surgery. But evidence supporting routine application of ultrasonogram (USG) is scarce and the situation in Korea is different from western countries where most of the guidelines are produced. We compared the results of the vascular access surgery after physical examination only with those after selective examination with USG. METHODS: Two hundred and forty eight consecutive patients who received VA surgery in Dongsan Medical Center from Jun 2010 to May 2011 were included. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and the immediate postoperative failure and early suitability of hemodialysis were compared. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients (group 1) received VA without USG, 140 after USG study. Overall 13 failures were developed. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of early failure (5.6% vs. 5.0%). CONCLUSION: Selective application of duplex sonographic evaluation of vascular status in the patients who need vascular access surgery in Korea is a reasonable policy to save the limited health financial source with acceptable results.

Clinical Utility of the Buttonhole Technique Using Biohole(TM) in Hemodialysis Patients / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Buttonhole cannulation has been popular because it provides an easy puncture, is less painful, and requires less time for hemostasis. However, the technique requires a skilled staff and a long time to form the tract. A new buttonhole technique using Biohole(TM), which shortens the time needed for tract formation, has been introduced in Europe, North America, and Japan. METHODS: We prepared a cannulation tract using the buttonhole technique and Biohole(TM) over a two-week period and compared the 12-week outcomes between patients who underwent the rope-ladder versus buttonhole techniques. RESULTS: The 40 patients (27 males) had a mean age of 49.1 +/- 14.2 years. Thirteen and 27 patients were cannulated with the rope-ladder and buttonhole techniques, respectively. Patients who underwent the buttonhole technique had more initial pain than did those who received the rope-ladder technique (p = 0.044). The Biohole(TM) procedure improved puncture pain (5.6 vs. 3.4, p = 0.003) and shortened hemostasis time (1.8 vs. 1.3, p = 0.001). Over a two-week period, patients using Biohole(TM) experienced dislocation (20.8%), bleeding at peg sites (8.6%), and pain during peg change (2.4%). Over the 12 week study period, patients who underwent the buttonhole technique had insignificantly less pain than did those who received the rope-ladder technique (p = 0.088), but the former had less bleeding time than the latter (p = 0.000). One patient who received the buttonhole technique experienced one episode of infection (p = 0.327). CONCLUSIONS: The new buttonhole technique using Biohole(TM) is safe and useful in the short term. A long-term, larger, multicenter study is required to confirm these results.

Characteristics of Native Arteriovenous Shunt

This study is quite representative. Most patients older men in accordance with previous studies. The left side is dominant according to the literature. The elbow side is dominant, after hemodialysis performed and double lumen catheter improvement requires further research.

Correção cirúrgica de aneurismas saculares de fístula arteriovenosa para hemodiálise utilizando a técnica de aneurismorrafia / Surgical repair of saccular aneurysms of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis using aneurismorraphy technique

Uma das complicações mais frequentes da fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) para hemodiálise é o desenvolvimento de um aneurisma. A formação de aneurismas geralmente decorre de um enfraquecimento da parede venosa devido às repetidas punções, e sua rotura causa hemorragia intensa que pode levar à morte. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente com dois aneurismas saculares de FAV, tratados através de aneurismorrafia, detalhando a técnica cirúrgica utilizada e a evolução pós-operatória. A técnica de rafia simples da parede constitui uma boa alternativa no reparo da parede da FAV quando o aneurisma é de curta extensão, evitando a colocação de um material protético e a confecção de duas anastomoses.

One of the most common complications of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) is aneurysm formation due to weakening of the venous wall after repeated punctures. Its rupture causes severe bleeding that can lead to death. We report the case of a patient with two AVF saccular aneurysms treated by aneurysmorrhaphy. The technique and the postoperative follow-up are presented in detail. Aneurysmorrhaphy is a good option to repair the AVF wall when the aneurysmal segment is short, thus avoiding the placement of prosthetic grafts and the performance of two anastomoses.

Clinical Experience of Proximal Radio-Cephalic Fistula / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: The first choice of vascular access is a distal radiocephalic fistula (dRCF) at the wrist. In patients with a failed dRCF or with vessels unsuitable for dRCF, the recommendation is to place a brachiocephalic fistula (BC) in the upper arm. Proximal forearm radiocephalic fistulas (pRCF) are created infrequently, but may permit a second forearm fistula before proceeding to the upper arm BC. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pRCF in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We included 80 patients who received arteriovenous fistula operation between December, 2008 and July, 2010. The type of arteriovenous fistula (dRCF, pRCF, BC) was determined according to preoperative vascular mapping using doppler ultrasonography. The fistula operation was performed by one surgeon. We compared the non-maturation rates, primary and secondary patency rates among dRCF, pRCF, and BC. RESULTS: The numbers of patients that underwent dRCF, pRCF, and BC operation were 27, 27, and 26, respectively. Only 33.8% of patients needed creation of a dRCF potentially. Non-maturation rates were similar among the patients that underwent dRCF, pRCF and BC (11.1%, 7.4%, and 3.8%, respectively, p>0.05). The primary patency rates of dRCF, pRCF, and BC were 81.5%, 92.6%, 80.8%, respectively (p>0.05). The secondary patency rates of dRCF, pRCF, and BC were 92.3%, 96.3%, and 92.3%, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: pRCF had non-maturation rate, primary and secondary patency rate, comparable to those of a dRCF and, a BC. pRCF may be an attractive alternative to a BC in patients who do not have vessel suitable for creation of a dRCF.

Dural sinus malformation in the early childhood: case report / Malformação de seio dural na infância: relato de caso

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are rare disease in pediatric age group and dural sinus malformation (DSM) has even a lower incidence rate. DSMs are associated with a mild male dominance and onset symptoms appear around 5 months of age. The most common clinical presentation is macrocrania, seizures, psychomotor delay, intracranial hemorrhage, congestive heart failure and brain ischemia. Early recognition of these lesions is essential to prevent brain injury for ischemia and intracranial hypertension. Case description: We discuss the case of a 4 month-old boy presenting with macrocrania and signs of intracranial hypertension secondary to a transverse sinus dural arteriovenous malformation. This case was successfully treated by endovascular procedure reaching the goal of the treatment that is to obliterate the arterial portion of the fistula while preserving cerebral venous drainage to reduce the pial reflux in order to prevent venous hypertension and ischemic complications.

Contexto: As malformações arteriovenosas (MAVs) são raras na faixa etária pediátrica, e as malformações de seio dural (MSD) possuem uma taxa de incidência ainda menor. As MSDs estão associadas a uma pequena predominância no sexo masculino e os sintomas aparecem por volta dos 5 meses de idade. As apresentações clínicas mais comuns são: macrocrania, crises convulsivas, atraso no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, hemorragia intracraniana, insuficiência cardíaca congestiva e isquemia cerebral. O reconhecimento precoce dessas lesões é essencial para prevenir o dano cerebral por isquemia e hipertensão intracraniana. Relato do caso: Discutimos o caso de um garoto de 4 meses de idade apresentando macrocrania e sinais de hipertensão intracraniana secundários a uma malformação arteriovenosa de seio dural transverso. Este caso foi tratado com sucesso por procedimento endovascular, alcançando o objetivo do tratamento, que é ocluir a porção arterial da fístula e preservar a drenagem venosa cerebral, para reduzir o refluxo pial e assim prevenir a hipertensão venosa e possíveis complicações isquêmicas.

Cervical Epidural Anesthesia for Arteriovenous Bridge Graft at Upper Arm in Chronic Renal Failure Patients

PURPOSE: Cervical epidural analgesia is used for pain control in head and neck or upper arm. But it is not commonly used for the purpose of pure regional anesthesia for upper arm surgery. Therefore, we investigated the usefulness of cervical epidural anesthesia (CEA) as a method of regional anesthesia for arteriovenous bridge graft (AVBG) for hemodialysis at upper arm and evaluated the effects of CEA on hemodynamics and respiration. METHODS: One hundred-fifty chronic renal failure patients scheduled for AVBG were randomly assigned. In the sitting position, an epidural catheter was inserted at C6-7 or C7-T1 and 15 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine with fentanyl 20microg was injected. Analgesic level, blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 5-minute intervals after injection of the drug. Arterial blood sampling was taken for aBGA before and twenty minutes after CEA. RESULTS: Average anesthetic dermatomalsensory levels were C3.4+/-1.2~T5.7+/-2.8. During surgery, hypotension was noted in 49% of patients. It was treated with ephedrine or phenylephrine i.v. Baseline PaCO2 changed from 42.4+/-2.9 mmHg to 44.6+/-3.6 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that CEA is suitable for AVBG at upper arm as a regional anesthesia.

Pulmonary Artery Embolotherapy in a Patient with Type I Hepatopulmonary Syndrome after Liver Transplantation

Although liver transplantation (LT) is the only effective treatment option for hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), the post-LT morbidity and mortality have been high for patients with severe HPS. We performed post-LT embolotherapy in a 10-year-old boy who had severe type I HPS preoperatively, but he failed to recover early from his hypoxemic symptoms after an LT. Multiple embolizations were then successfully performed on the major branches that formed the abnormal vascular structures. After the embolotherapy, the patient had symptomatic improvement and he was discharged without complications.

The development of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts as a poor prognostic factor following surgery for biliary atresia.

Background & Aims: Chronic liver disease requiring liver transplantation is a common occurrence following corrective surgery for extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA). The formation of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts (IPS) is a well-known feature of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of IPS and its prognostic significance in postoperative patients with EHBA. Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent Kasai’s portoenterostomy during 1993-2005 were included in the study. The clinical features, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and biochemical liver function tests were recorded. A transthoracic contrast enhanced echocardiogram using a four-chamber view was performed in all patients within a week of the Kasai’s procedure by injecting 5 mL of hand-agitated saline solution into a peripheral vein. The opacification of microbubbles in the left atrium 3-6 minutes after their emergence in the right atrium was considered diagnostic of IPS. The contrast enhanced echocardiogram was repeated 6 months after the Kasai’s procedure in all patients Results: Nine patients were clinically asymptomatic after surgery. HIDA scan was excretory in all 14 patients at the time of the study, although 5 patients were jaundiced. The serum bilirubin increased in 2 patients after surgery; both these patients were jaundiced and developed ascites and 1 expired one year after surgery. Contrast enhanced echocardiogram was negative for IPS in all 14 initially. In the follow-up evaluation the only patient who died was the one who had developed IPS. Conclusions: There is a risk of developing IPS following a failed Kasai’s portoenterostomy in patients of EHBA. Contrast enhanced echocardiography can be used to serially monitor these patients for early detection of this complication. It can be used to predict prognosis after hepatic portoenterostomy and can be extremely useful in selecting patients who will need liver transplant on priority.

Seven Cases of Acquired Digital Arteriovenous Malformation / 대한피부과학회지

Acquired digital arteriovenous malformation (ADAVM) consists of an abnormal connection between the arteriole and venule in the acral area of extremities, particularly the fingers. Clinically, the lesions appear as small, slightly- elevated, dark brown erythematous macules on the distal part of fingers. The histological specimens shows close approximation between thin-walled venule and thick-walled arteriole and possibly a direct arteriovenous shunt adjacent to each other lying in the dermis. We herein report seven stereotypical cases of ADAVM.

Interleukin-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Polymorphisms in Vascular Access Failure in Patients on Hemodialysis: Preliminary Data in Korea

Neointimal hyperplasia causes vascular stenosis and subsequent thrombosis, which result in vascular access failure in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are involved in this inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vascular access failure and various inflammatory markers including the genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-alpha. Seventy-five patients on hemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula in place or an artificial graft (18 with vascular access failure and 82 without failure) and 98 healthy individuals were genotyped for IL-10 and TNF-alpha single nucleotide polymorphisms. Clinical and laboratory data including serum IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were compared. Stimulated IL-10 levels, from in vitro incubation of blood with lipopolysaccharide, were also obtained and compared. Female gender, hypoproteinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with vascular access failure. The basal TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in patients with access failure. The distribution of IL-10 and TNF-alpha genotype did not differ among patients with or without access failure. This study could not demonstrate a relationship between genetic polymorphisms and vascular access failure. However, an altered immune response and inflammation might contribute to vascular access failure.