Ultrasound evaluation of obstructive uropathy and its hemodynamic responses in southwest Nigeria

To determine the renal arterial hemodynamic changes induced by obstructive uropathy using Doppler ultrasonography.

Denervação simpática renal em pacientes com cardiodesfibrilador implantável e tempestade elétrica / Renal sympathetic denervation in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and electrical storm

Introdução: Cardiodesfibriladores implantáveis (CDIs) são geralmente indicados para pacientes com arritmias malignas considerados de alto risco. A hiperatividade simpática desempenha um papel crítico no desenvolvimento, na manutenção e no agravamento de arritmias ventriculares. Novas opçõesde tratamento nessa população representam uma necessidade clínica. Nosso objetivo foi relatar osresultados de pacientes com CDIs e tempestade elétrica submetidos à denervação simpática renal paracontrole da arritmia. Métodos: Oito pacientes com CDIs internados por tempestade elétrica refratária ao tratamento médico otimizado foram submetidos à denervação simpática renal. Condições subjacentes foram: doença de Chagas (n = 6), cardiomiopatia dilatada não isquêmica (n = 1) e cardiomiopatia isquêmica (n = 1). As informações sobre o número de taquicardias ventriculares/fibrilações ventriculares e episódios de terapiasantitaquicardia na última semana pré-procedimento e nos 30 dias pós-tratamento foram obtidas por meiode interrogação dos CDIs. Resultados: As medianas dos episódios de taquicardias ventriculares/fibrilações ventriculares, sobreestimulaçãoe choques na semana que antecedeu a denervação simpática renal foram de 29 (9 a 106), 23 (2 a 94) e 7,5 (1 a 88), sendo significativamente reduzidas para 0 (0 a 12), 0 (0 a 30) e 0 (0 a 1), respectivamente, 1 mês após o procedimento (p = 0,002; p = 0,01; p = 0,003). Nenhum paciente morreu durante o acompanhamento. Não ocorreram complicações maiores relacionadas ao procedimento.Conclusões: Em pacientes com CDIs e tempestade elétrica refratária ao tratamento médico otimizado, a denervação simpática renal reduziu significativamente a carga de arritmia e, consequentemente, as sobre-estimulações e os choques. Ensaios clínicos randomizados, no contexto de denervação simpática renal para controle de arritmias cardíacas refratárias, são necessários para trazer maior robustez aos nossos achados.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are usually indicated for patients with malignant arrhythmias considered as high risk. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a critical role in thedevelopment, maintenance, and worsening of ventricular arrhythmias. New treatment options in thispopulation represent a clinical necessity. This study’s objective was to report the outcomes of patients with ICDs and electrical storm submitted to renal sympathetic denervation for arrhythmia control. Methods: Eight patients with ICDs admitted for electrical storm refractory to optimal medical therapy underwent renal sympathetic denervation. Underlying diseases included Chagas disease (n = 6), non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 1), and ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 1).Information on the number of episodes of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation and antitachycardia therapies in the week before the procedure and 30 days after treatment were obtained through interrogation of the ICDs.Results: The median numbers of episodes of ventricular achycardia/ ventricular fibrillation,antitachycardia pacing, and shocks in the week before renal sympathetic denervation were 29 (9 to 106), 23 (2 to 94), and 7.5 (1 to 88), and significantly reduced to 0 (0 to 12), 0 (0 to 30), and 0 (0 to 1), respectively, 1 month after the procedure (p = 0.002; p = 0.01; p = 0.003, respectively). No patients diedduring follow-up. There were no major complications related to the procedure.Conclusions: In patients with ICDs and electrical storm refractory to optimal medical treatment, renal sympathetic denervation significantly reduced arrhythmia load and, consequently, antitachycardia pacing and shocks. Randomized clinical trials in the context of renal sympathetic denervation tocontrol refractory cardiac arrhythmias are needed to further support these findings.

O tratamento da hipertensão renovascular frente aos resultados dos novos estudo / Treatment of renovascular hypertension in light of the results of new studies

O presente artigo revisa o importante papel na escolha da melhor opção de tratamento da hipertensão arterial de etiologia renovascular. Infelizmente a luz das últimas e mais atuais evidências científicas não houve diferença significativa entre as duas modalidades terapêuticas mais utilizadas, tratamento medicamentoso versus tratamento intervencionista percutâneo, na redução da morbidade e mortalidade cardiovascular do paciente com hipertensão arterial e estenose de artéria renal. Sabe-se, porém, que a doença renovascular quando presente em pacientes com perda progressiva da função renal, naqueles com edema agudo de pulmão de repetição, nos pacientes com doença arterial coronária ou disfunção ventricular esquerda onde um melhor controle da pressão arterial é necessário e o mesmo não é alcançado apesar do adequado tratamento medicamentoso, a intervenção percutânea se impõe. É certo que, independente da opção terapêutica utilizada, é necessário que todas as comorbidades presentes sejam corrigidas para que melhores resultados finais sejam alcançados. A investigação precoce baseada em critérios clínicos de probabilidade somada ao auxílio de exames complementares permitirão maiores chances de acerto diagnóstico, cuja certeza só existirá após a realização da intervenção escolhida. Infelizmente a certeza que hoje temos em relação à opção diagnóstica mais adequada não existe quanto aos resultados tardios, exceto nas condições já exposta.

This article reviews the important role of the choice of best treatment option for arterial hypertension of renovascular etiology. Unfortunately, according to the latest and most upto-date scientific evidence, there is no significant difference between the two most commonly used modes of therapy: drug treatment vs. percutaneous interventionist treatment,in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with arterial hypertension and stenosis of the renal artery. However, it is known that in renovascular disease, when present in patients with progressive loss of renal function, in those with acute repetition edema of the lung, and in those with coronary arterial disease or left ventricular dysfunction, where better control of blood pressure is necessary but is not achieved despite adequate drug treatment, percutaneous intervention is necessary. Undoubtedly, regardless of the therapeutic option used, it is necessary for all the comorbidities present to be corrected, in order to improve the final results. Early investigation based on clinical criteria of probability, with the aid of complementary exams, will result in higher chances of obtaining the correct diagnosis, which will only be certain after the chosen intervention has been carried out. Unfortunately, the certainty that we have today as to the most appropriate diagnostic options is not borne out in the most recent results, except in the conditions mentioned above.

Técnicas e Táticas no Tratamento Endovascular do Aneurisma da Artéria Renal / Techniques and Strategies for the Endovascular Treatment of Renal Artery Aneurysm

Introdução: Os aneurismas da artéria renal são raros e constituem um desafio ao tratamento endovascular. Nosso objetivo foi descrever e analisar as técnicas e táticas no tratamento endovascular do aneurisma da artéria renal, verificando os resultados a curto e médio prazos de uma série consecutiva de casos. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, de procedimentos realizados no período de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2013, em que foram analisados: o sucesso técnico e terapêutico, a morbimortalidade, e a taxa de vazamentos e de reintervenções. Resultados: Em um total de seis pacientes tratados, a idade média foi de 41 ± 5 anos e todos eram do sexo feminino. A maioria apresentou aneurismas saculares tipo II (83,3%). Foram utilizadas técnicas de remodelamento com uso de stent e molas em quatro casos, embolização segmentar renal em um caso e tratamento com endoprótese Multilayer® em outro. O sucesso técnico e terapêutico foi de 100 e 83,3%, respectivamente. Em um paciente, houve isquemia de polo superior renal, que evoluiu para hematúria e dor incontrolável, necessitando de nefrectomia. Não ocorreram óbitos e nem oclusão das artéria renais nativas e de seus ramos durante o acompanhamento de 1 ano. Conclusões: O tratamento endovascular do aneurisma de artéria renal demonstrou ser uma alternativa viável à cirurgia convencional com baixa morbidade. O estudo detalhado da vascularização renal e da localização do aneurisma determina a escolha da técnica endovascular a ser utilizada. O aneurisma da artéria renal do tipo II foi a morfologia mais frequentemente encontrada e pode ser tratado com sucesso por técnicas de remodelamento com o uso de stent e mola.

Background: Renal artery aneurysms are rare and constitute a challenge to endovascular treatment. Our objective was to describe and analyze the techniques and strategies for the endovascular treatment of renal artery aneurysms verifying short and medium-term results in a consecutive series of cases. Methods: Retrospective study of procedures performed from January 2010 to December 2013, analyzing technical and therapeutic success, morbidity and mortality, the rate of endoleaks and reinterventions. Results: In a total of six patients treated, mean age was 41± 5 years and all patients were female. The majority of the patients had type 2 saccular aneurysms (83.3%). Remodeling techniques using stent and coils were used in four cases, embolization of renal polar branch was used in one case and treatment with a Multilayer® endoprosthesis in another case. Technical and therapeutic success rates were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. In one patient there was upper renal pole ischemia, which progressed to uncontrollable hematuria and pain, requiring nephrectomy. There were no deaths or occlusion of the native renal artery and its branches during the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of renal artery aneurysm proved to be a feasible alternative to conventional surgery with low morbidity. A detailed study of renal vasculature and aneurysm location determines the choice of the endovascular technique to be used. Type II renal artery aneurysm was the most frequent morphology observed and may be successfully treated by remodeling techniques using stents and coils.

Denervação simpática renal: um novo cateter em um novo cenário / Renal sympathetic denervation: a new catheter in a new scenario

A denervação simpática renal (DSR) surgiu como uma estratégia terapêutica adjunta no tratamento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica resistente. Diversas outras condições clínicas cursam com hiperatividade simpática, às quais, teoricamente, a DSR seria benéfica. Relatamos o primeiro caso realizado no Brasil de DSR em paciente com doença de Chagas e arritmia refratária, tratada por meio do cateter multieletrodo EnligHTN®.

Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) has emerged as an adjunct strategy in the treatment of resistant hypertension. Several other clinical conditions are characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity and could theoretically benefit from RSD. We report the first case of RSD performed in Brazil in a patient with Chagas' disease and refractory arrhythmia, treated by the EnligHTN® multi-electrode catheter.

Giant renal artery pseudoaneurysm 18 months after blunt trauma / Pseudoaneurisma gigante de arteria renal apos 18 meses de trauma contuso

Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions that require a high degree of suspicion because they are usually difficult to diagnose. Posttraumatic renal artery pseudoaneurysms should be treated because spontaneous resolution is extremely unusual, and the risk of aneurysm rupture is high. We describe the case of a patient who presented with a pulsatile mass in the right upper quadrant and recurrent abdominal pain 18 months after blunt trauma. Arteriography and multislice computed tomography angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm measuring 22 cm in the right renal artery. The patient was successfully treated with conventional open surgery.

Pseudoaneurismas de artéria renal são lesões vasculares pouco comuns, que geralmente demandam alto grau de suspeição, por serem de difícil diagnóstico. Considerando a baixa expectativa de resolução espontânea dos PARs pós-traumáticos, aliada ao importante risco de rotura, faz-se necessária a correção destas lesões. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente, vítima de trauma contuso há 18 meses, com queixa de massa pulsátil em hipocôndrio direito associado a dor abdominal recorrente. Depois da arteriografia e angiotomografia multislice, foi diagnosticado um pseudoaneurisma de artéria renal direita com 22 cm de extensão, sendo então submetido a tratamento cirúrgico por via aberta convencional, com sucesso terapêutico.

A Case of Coarctation of the Aorta Diagnosed by Tardus-Parvus Renal Doppler Flow Patterns

No abstract available.

Fenestrated Stent Graft Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Hemodynamic Analysis of the Effect of Fenestrated Stents on the Renal Arteries

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the hemodynamic effect of fenestrated stents on the renal arteries with using a fluid structure interaction method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two representative patients who each had abdominal aortic aneurysm that was treated with fenestrated stent grafts were selected for the study. 3D realistic aorta models for the main artery branches and aneurysm were generated based on the multislice CT scans from two patients with different aortic geometries. The simulated fenestrated stents were designed and modelled based on the 3D intraluminal appearance, and these were placed inside the renal artery with an intra-aortic protrusion of 5.0-7.0 mm to reflect the actual patients' treatment. The stent wire thickness was simulated with a diameter of 0.4 mm and hemodynamic analysis was performed at different cardiac cycles. RESULTS: Our results showed that the effect of the fenestrated stent wires on the renal blood flow was minimal because the flow velocity was not significantly affected when compared to that calculated at pre-stent graft implantation, and this was despite the presence of recirculation patterns at the proximal part of the renal arteries. The wall pressure was found to be significantly decreased after fenestration, yet no significant change of the wall shear stress was noticed at post-fenestration, although the wall shear stress was shown to decrease slightly at the proximal aneurysm necks. CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrates that the hemodynamic effect of fenestrated renal stents on the renal arteries is insignificant. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of different lengths of stent protrusion with variable stent thicknesses on the renal blood flow, and this is valuable for understanding the long-term outcomes of fenestrated repair.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome revealing Takayasu's arteritis.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare neuroradiologic condition associated with headache, seizures, altered sensorium, visual disturbances, and characteristic lesions on neuroimaging predominantly affecting the posterior regions of the brain. We report a 10-years-8-months-old girl who presented with headache, multiple seizures, and altered sensorium. Her blood pressure was 130/100 mmHg and left brachial pulse was not palpable. CT scan brain showed typical non-enhancing hypodensities in bilateral parieto-occiptal lobes. Prompt treatment of the hypertension led to rapid reversal of neurological symptoms. CT aortogram revealed aortoarteritis with bilateral renal artery stenosis.

Doença aterosclerótica da artéria renal / Atherosclerotic Illness of the Renal Artery

Neste artigo, os autores discutem aspectos relacionados ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento da doença aterosclerótica da artéria renal. Destacam-se, também, as indicações para a revascularização de pacientes com estenose significativa da artéria renal...

In the present article, the authors address aspects related to the diagnosis and the management of renal artery atherosclerotic disease. The authors also point out the indications for the revascularization of patients with significant stenosis in renal artery.

Exclusive carbon dioxide-guided renal artery stenting in a case of Takayasu's arteritis with a solitary functioning kidney.

We report the case of a 28-year-old female with type II Takayasu's arteritis affecting her single functioning kidney. Impaired renal function precluded the use of conventional contrast media. We used carbon dioxide-guided renal angioplasty to successfully treat the patient.

Fístula arteriovenosa y aneurisma renal: comunicación de 4 casos / Arteriovenous fistula and renal aneurism: report of 4 cases

La fístula arteriovenosa renal (FAVR) y el aneurisma renal (AR) son patologías poco frecuentes, sin embargo, su diagnóstico y tratamiento se ha hecho cada vez más habitual. El objetivo del presente trabajo es comunicar 4 casos de pacientes con FAVR y AR, revisar su presentación clínica, estudio y manejo. Se revisaron los registros clínicos de 4 pacientes con FAVR y AR diagnosticados en el período comprendido entre abril de 2000 y agosto de 2002. Tres de estos casos fueron diagnosticados el presente año. Se dispone de seguimiento alejado de sólo uno de los pacientes, debido a lo reciente de la casuística. En el período mencionado fueron atendidos 4 pacientes con FAVR y AR. Tres de sexo femenino y uno masculino. El promedio de edad fue de 51,7 años (rango: 22-71). El diagnóstico se realizó en un caso por ecografía de chequeo; en otro, con angiotac por estudio de hematuria, en paciente con antecedente de nefrolitectomía anatrófica y en los otros dos, con angiografía. El tratamiento fue en dos casos con exclusión angiográfica con coils de platino y en los otros dos, con nefrectomía, una de ellas de urgencia. Los cuatro pacientes se encuentran bien en su seguimiento. Los pacientes con FAVR no presentaron el cuadro clínico que se describe habitualmente. La angiografía sigue siendo un excelente método de diagnóstico, debido a que tiene la ventaja de ser curativa en el mismo procedimiento. En los casos en que la angiografía no logra dar tratamiento, la cirugía está indicada.

Variable múltiple del origen de la arteria renal / Multiple variable of the origin of the renal arterie

Se observaron variantes en el origen y distribución de la arteria renal izquierda de las cuales no se encontraron reportes, en la literatura, de anomalías similares. Este origen se da a partir de tres troncos arteriales que son ramas de la arteria aorta. Dos de estos troncos, el superior y el medio se bifurcan, originando cada uno dos ramas. De esta forma se dan cinco arterias renales independientes que entran separadas al hilio renal, dándose un porcentaje de frecuencia de veintisiete por ciento

Hemodinámica renal en pacientes con obstrucción uretral: evaluación con ultrasonografía Doppler / Renal hemodynamics in patients with ureteral stenosis: evaluation with Doppler ultrasonography

Durante la obstrucción ureteral se presentan cambios en el flujo arterial al riñon afectado. Este estudio tuvo como finalidad determinar estos cambios mediante ultrasonografía Doppler de la arteria renal. Estas determinaciones se llevaron a cabo en seis unidades renales con obstrucción ureteral, en las seis unidades renales contralaterales a la obstruida y en 14 unidades renales testigos. Se encontró que las características de flujo de la arteria renal manifestaban diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la unidad renal obstruida y las unidades renales contralaterales y testigos

Angioplastia percutânea e revascularizaçäo cirúrgica em hipertensäo renovascular: experiência no tratamento e seguimento de longo prazo em 124 pacientes / Percutaneous Angioplasty and Surgical Revascularization in Renovascular Hypertension. Experience on Long-Term Follow-up and Treatment in 124 Patients

PURPOSE--To report the experience in the treatment and long-term follow-up of patients with renovascular hypertension submitted to angioplasty and/or surgical revascularization, and to compare blood pressure and renal function responses to both treatment. METHODS--One hundred and twenty-four patients diagnosed with renovascular hypertension, divided, according to the etiology, as atherosclerosis (76 patients), fibromuscular dysplasia (32) and arteritis (16), were submitted to isolated or associated treatment of renal revascularization by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (71 patients) or surgery (84). The patients were followed-up during 2.5 +/- 1.5 years and we evaluate blood pressure response and renal function preservation. In relation to blood pressure control, the patients were considered as cured when normotensives without antihypertensives, improved when normotensives with fewer drugs than previously, and unchanged, when out of these criteria. RESULTS--From 124 patients, 20 per cent were considered cured, 54 per cent improved and 26 per cent unchanged, after a mean follow-up of 2.5 +/- 1.5 years. Patients with atherosclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia presented a higher rate of care and improvement after surgery. The blood pressure and the number of antihypertensive drugs decreased significantly during the follow-up among patients that cured or improved arterial hypertension, either after angioplasty (190 +/- 26/115 +/- 14 mmHg vs 130 +/- 34/85 +/- 7 mmHg. 2.70 vs 1.60 drugs) or after surgery (194 +/- 17/115 +/- 16 mmHg vs 143 +/- 18 mmHg vs 88 +/- 8 mmHg, 1.88 vs 1.51 drugs). It was also observed a significant decrease of serum creatinine among these patients. CONCLUSION--Renal revascularization in patients with renovascular hypertension, either by angioplasty or surgery, is beneficial to control blood pressure and to preserve renal function in the majority of patients

Aneurisma de arteria renal / Renal artery aneurysm

Se comunica un caso clínico de ruptura espontánea de un aneurisma sacular asociado a una lesión displásica. Se discute el caso y se revisa la literatura, coincidiendo en que la mayoría de los aneurismas son asintomáticos, y en el caso presentado, a excepción de no ser calcificado su riesgo de ruptura era bajo. Se discuten las indicaciones quirúrgicas de éstos aneurismas, y se recomienda la conducta conservadora en ésta patología debido a la asociación de otros aneurismas en el resto del sistema arterial del paciente