[Ischemic stroke due to paradoxical embolism through pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a young patient]. / ACV isquémico debido a embolia paradojal a través de malformación arteriovenosa pulmonar en paciente joven.

Paradoxical embolism due to an isolated pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. PAVMs are abnormal high-flow connections between pulmonary arteries and veins, diverting deoxygenated blood into the systemic circulation and they represent a less common source of paradoxical embolisms, especially in young individuals. Endovascular embolization is the preferred treatment for clinically significant PAVMs. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with a left thalamic ischemic stroke. Severe contrast passage was detected in cerebral arteries through transcranial Doppler. Intracardiac ultrasound did not reveal a patent foramen ovale, prompting further investigation with pulmonary CT angiography, confirming the presence of PAVM. The patient underwent successful endovascular treatment. It is essential to consider PAVM in the etiological diagnosis of ischemic stroke, especially in young patients with signs of abnormal right-to-left communication. Periodic follow-up imaging is recommended to assess potential recurrence or changes in PAVM, emphasizing the importance of appropriate management of these malformations.

La embolia paradojal debido a una malformación arteriovenosa pulmonar (MAVP) aislada es una causa infrecuente de accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) isquémico. Las MAVP son conductos anómalos de alta circulación entre arterias y venas pulmonares, desviando sangre desoxigenada hacia la circulación sistémica y representan una fuente menos común de embolias paradojales, especialmente en personas jóvenes. La embolización endovascular es el tratamiento preferido para MAVP clínicamente significativas. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 34 años con ACV isquémico talámico izquierdo. Se detectó pasaje de burbujas "en cortina" en arterias cerebrales mediante Doppler transcraneal. En ecografía intracardíaca no se encontró foramen oval permeable, motivo por el cual se avanzó con realización de angiotomografía pulmonar, la cual confirmó la presencia de MAVP. La paciente recibió tratamiento endovascular exitoso. Es esencial considerar la MAVP en el diagnóstico etiológico del ACV isquémico, especialmente en pacientes jóvenes con signos de comunicación anormal de derecha a izquierda. Se recomienda un seguimiento periódico mediante imágenes para evaluar la posible recurrencia o cambios en la MAVP, resaltando la importancia del manejo adecuado de estas malformaciones.

Chronic abdominal aortic dissection, endovascular treatment using a new Stent-graft for in situ Fenestration.

BACKGROUND: Although endovascular treatment of the thoracic aorta (TEVAR) has become an elective procedure for treatment of complicated type B aortic dissection, its role in treating post dissection thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), is still limited. This is a case of aortic vascular disease, which reports the use of a new endovascular device. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 62 year old male patient with a history of hypertension, active smoker, who presented penetrating descending thoracic aortic ulcer in the setting of a chronic abdominal aortic dissection. The patient was treated using a new stent graft capable of in situ fenestration that allowed crossing the stent-graft membrane, implanting a covered stent to exclude the re-entry at the level of the left renal artery and redirecting the blood flow through the true lumen. CONCLUSIONS: This case report demonstrates the feasibility of a novel stent-graft concept. Larger studies with longer follow-up are essential to fully evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this new design.

Left subclavian artery coverage during thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair does not mandate revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the risk of left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage and the role of revascularization in a large population of patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter review of 1189 patient records from 2000 to 2010 was performed. Major adverse events evaluated included cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and spinal cord ischemia (SCI). Subgroup analysis was performed for noncovered LSA (group A), covered LSA (group B), and covered/revascularized LSA (group C). RESULTS: Of 1189 patients, 394 had LSA coverage (33.1%), and 180 of these patients (46%) underwent LSA revascularization. In all patients, emergency operations (9.5% vs 4.3%; P=.001), renal failure (12.7% vs 5.3%; P=.001), hypertension (7% vs 2.3%; P=.01), and number of stents placed (1=3.7%, 2=7.4%, ≥3=10%; P=.005) were predictors of SCI. History of cerebrovascular disease (9.6% vs 3.5%; P=.002), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.5% vs 5.4%; P=.01), coronary artery disease (8.5% vs 5.3%; P=.03), smoking (8.9% vs 4.2%) and female gender (5.3% men vs 8.2% women; P=.05) were predictors of CVA. Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference between groups B and C (SCI, 6.3% vs 6.1%; CVA, 6.7% vs 6.1%). LSA revascularization was not protective for SCI (7.5% vs 4.1%; P=.3) or CVA (6.1% vs 6.4%; P=.9). Women who underwent revascularization had an increased incidence of CVA event compared with all other subgroups (group A: 5.6% men, 8.4% women, P=.16; group B: 6.6% men, 5.3% women, P=.9; group C: 2.8% men, 11.9% women, P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: LSA coverage does not appear to result in an increased incidence of SCI or CVA event when a strategy of selective revascularization is adopted. Selective LSA revascularization results in similar outcomes among the three cohorts studied. Revascularization in women carries an increased risk of a CVA event and should be reserved for select cases.

Oclusión intencional de la arteria subclavia izquierda durante el tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente / Intentional Occlusion of the Left Subclavian Artery during Endovascular Repair of the Descending Thoracic Aorta

Introducción La seguridad y la eficacia del tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente dependen de ciertas condiciones anatómicas, en particular de la presencia de un segmento sano de aorta (cuello proximal). En una proporción importante de pacientes, este cuello proximal es insuficiente o inexistente. Un bypass o transposición de la arteria subclavia izquierda permitiría mantener una perfusión adecuada del brazo izquierdo luego del implante de la endoprótesis. Sin embargo, este abordaje quirúrgico no siempre es factible en pacientes inestables, tratados de forma urgente o que presentan múltiples comorbilidades. Objetivo Evaluar las consecuencias clínicas y neurológicas de la oclusión intencional de la arteria subclavia izquierda durante el tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente. Material y métodos Entre agosto de 1999 y febrero de 2010, 136 pacientes fueron tratados consecutivamente con implante de endoprótesis autoexpandibles. En 29 pacientes (21%) con ausencia de un cuello proximal adecuado (sector sano de aorta ≥ 15 mm de longitud) se debió cubrir intencionalmente el origen de la arteria subclavia izquierda. En todos los casos, previo al tratamiento se realizó una angiografía selectiva de la arteria vertebral derecha con el objetivo de confirmar la permeabilidad de ésta y la conformación de la circulación vertebrobasilar. Resultados Se trataron 20 hombres y 9 mujeres, cuya edad media fue de 62 (49-72) años. La patología de base fue disección aórtica tipo B aguda (n = 4), disección aórtica tipo B crónica (n = 14), hematoma intramural (n = 1), aneurisma verdadero (n = 7), úlcera aórtica (n = 1) y seudoaneurisma traumático (n = 2). El implante del dispositivo fue exitoso en todos los pacientes. No se registraron complicaciones clínicas ni neurológicas a 29 (13-50) meses de seguimiento medio. Conclusiones La utilización de criterios de selección estrictos permite la oclusión intencional de la arteria subclavia izquierda durante el tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente, sin aumentar la incidencia de complicaciones mayores. Así, la revascularización quirúrgica queda reservada para pacientes con síntomas graves de isquemia durante el seguimiento.

Background Safety and efficacy of endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta depends on certain anatomic conditions, especially on the presence of a suitable proximal neck. This proximal neck is insufficient or absent in many patients. The use of left subclavian-carotid transposition or left carotid-tosubclavian artery bypass might allow an adequate perfusion of the left arm after the implantation of the stent-graft. However, this surgical approach is not feasible in unstable patients undergoing emergency surgery or with multiple comorbidities. Objective To evaluate the clinical and neurological outcomes of the intentional occlusion of the left subclavian artery during endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta. Material and Methods Between August 1999 and February 2010, 136 patients consecutively underwent implantation of self-expandable stent-grafts. The origin of the left subclavian artery was intentionally covered in 29 patients (21%) with absence of adequate proximal neck (normal aortic segment ≥15 mm long). Before the procedure, all patients underwent selective angiography of the right vertebral artery to exclude stenosis and to evaluate vertebrobasilar circulation. Results A total of 20 men and 9 women were treated; mean age was 62 (49-72) years. Stent-graft implantation was indicated due to acute type B aortic dissection (n=4), chronic type B aortic dissection (n=14), intramural hematoma (n=1), true aneurysm (n=7), aortic ulcer (n=1), and traumatic pseudoaneurysm (n=2). The device was successfully implanted in all patients. No clinical or neurological complications were reported after a mean follow-up of 29 months (13-50). Conclusions The use of strict selection criteria allows intentional occlusion of the left subclavian artery during stent-graft implantation of the descending thoracic aorta without increasing the incidence of major complications. Thus, surgical revascularization is reserved for patients with severe symptoms of ischemia during follow-up.

Safety and feasibility of balloon-expandable stent implantation for the treatment of type I endoleaks following endovascular aortic abdominal aneurysm repair.

AIMS: The occurrence of type I endoleaks represent an ominous sign after endovascular aneurysms repair (EVAR). We report our experience using balloon-expandable stents (BES) for the treatment of proximal Type I endoleaks at five high-volume hospitals in Argentina. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 1,395 patients who underwent EVAR, we retrospectively collected data of 29 (2%) consecutive patients who underwent additional BES to repair proximal type I endoleaks. The mean age was 75.8 years old (range 63-87) and 93% were male. A hostile anatomy was found in 89.6% of the cases. BES oversize (balloon/neck diameter ration ≥ 30%) was frequent (69%); whereas, BES/prosthesis diameter ratio was less than 1 in 79% of the cases. Complete and partial sealing was obtained 72 and 28% of the cases, respectively. There were no immediate or late surgical conversion or major complications related with stent implantation. At a median time follow-up of 14.9 months (25-75% interquartiles: 4.5-17.5 months), there were no cardiovascular deaths, evidence of aneurysm sac enlargement or need for re-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that BES implantation for the treatment of proximal type I endoleaks is feasible and safe with favourable mid-term results and may preclude the need for surgical conversion.

Desvascularización preoperatoria de tumor del glomus mediante colocación de stent cubierto en la carótida externa / Preoperative Devascularization of a Glomus Tumor with a Covered Stent in the External Carotid Artery

Los tumores del glomus carotídeo se caracterizan por su vascularización importante y su manejo preoperatorio puede incluir la embolización percutánea previa a la resección quirúrgica. Esta técnica disminuye la hemorragia y el tamaño del tumor y hace menos riesgosa la disección, con reducción de la morbimortalidad. Una técnica alternativa es la interrupción de la irrigación del tumor mediante la colocación de un stent cubierto en la carótida externa, que es la vía principal de irrigación. Esta técnica es útil en especial en tumores grandes y evita el riesgo de embolia intracraneal cuando se emplean coils para realizar la embolización. En esta presentación se describe el caso de una paciente de 31 años tratada de esta manera; se le colocó el stent y 24 horas después se realizó la resección del tumor.

Glomus tumors are hypervascularized neoplasms which may require preoperative percutaneous embolization. This technique reduces the incidence of bleeding, the tumor size, the risk of resection-related complications, and morbidity and mortality. The interruption of the tumor blood supply placing a covered stent in the external carotid artery, the main tumor-supplying vessel, is an alternative option. This technique is especially useful in large tumors and prevents the risk of intracranial embolism when coils are used during embolization. We describe the case of a 31 year-old female patient who underwent stent placement 48 hours before tumor resection.

A branched, balloon-deployable, Aortomonoiliac stent-graft for treatment of AAA in a patient with a solitary intrapelvic kidney.

PURPOSE: To report the use of a branched, balloon-deployable stent-graft to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the setting of a solitary kidney. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old man with a solitary intrapelvic kidney and multiple comorbid conditions was diagnosed with an asymptomatic 5.3-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA); the renal artery emerged from the aneurysm sac. A customized branched, balloon-deployable, aortomonoiliac stent-graft was utilized to exclude the AAA and preserve perfusion to the single renal artery. A synthetic bypass was then implanted to restore perfusion to the contralateral limb. The diameter of the aneurysm decreased from 5.3 to 2.7 cm at 18 months. The renal artery was patent without evidence of stenosis; renal function was normal. CONCLUSION: The deployment of a novel branched stent-graft represents an interesting alternative approach to the treatment of a juxtarenal aneurysm.

Size of the proximal neck in AAAs treated with balloon-expandable stent-grafts: CTA findings in mid- to long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To determine the evolution of the proximal aortic neck diameter in mid- to long-term follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a balloon-expandable stent-graft. METHODS: Thirty patients (27 men; average age 71 years, range 56-87) with infrarenal AAAs were treated with the SETA-Latecba balloon-expandable stent-graft (6 aortomonoiliac and 24 bifurcated configurations). Follow-up ranged from 4 to 8 years (mean 73.4 months). Computed tomography was done systematically before the procedure, after implantation (1-3 months), at 1 year, and annually thereafter. The last follow-up scan was utilized to measure the proximal neck for purposes of comparison with baseline and the initial post-implant scans. RESULTS: Five patients died during follow-up of causes unrelated to the procedure. No endoleaks or graft migrations were observed. The pre-deployment proximal neck diameter (a) averaged 23.4 mm (range 18-32), the diameter after deployment of the stent-graft (b) averaged 24.9 mm (range 18-34), and the most recent follow-up proximal neck measurement (c) averaged 23.8 mm (range 18-31). Comparing the last follow-up to the post-implant measurements (c-b), the neck diameter decreased in 15 (50%) patients [7 with short necks (i.e., <15 mm)] and remained unchanged (no variation) in 15 (50%) patients (4 with short necks). All patients treated with the SETA-Latecba balloon-expandable stent-graft showed stability of the proximal aortic neck diameter in mid- to long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the diameter reached at initial deployment did not increase further in the long term, which supports the safety and reliability of this modular balloon-expandable stent-graft and illustrates that this device does not produce dilatation of the proximal neck after deployment. Future dilatation of the aortic neck is unlikely, and consequently, migration or delayed type I endoleak are also unlikely.

Analysis of explanted Latecba modular stent-grafts deployed transrenally to repair AAAs with short necks in 29 dogs.

Twenty-nine modular stent-grafts deployed transrenally to repair AAAs with short necks in dogs were harvested at autopsy of the animals after scheduled durations of implantations of 10 days, one month, three months, and six months. Analyses of the explanted devices included non-destructive techniques such as gross observations, X-rays CT scan, IVUS and angioscopy. Further to appropriate dissection, histological investigations were carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy. All the 29 specimens were extensively encapsulated with fibrous tissues but the fibrous capsule was thin in six of them; four capsules were ulcerated. The X-rays confirmed the stability of the devices that were still straight (12), slightly bent (12) or bent (4). The modules were misaligned in only one case. IVUS and angioscopy confirmed the patency of all the stent-grafts with thin internal capsules both proximally and distally with variable capsulation in the mid-section of the grafts. The left renal artery orifices were found to be patent at dissection with no obstruction to flow. The luminal flow surface of the stent-grafts was smooth and glistening proximally and distally containing endothelial like cells and vasa-vasorum. Poor healing was noted in the aneurysm area. Transrenal deployment of this modular stent-graft is feasible and gave excellent results with regard to biofunctionality and biocompatibility. The device proved to be safe and efficient.

Exclusión endovascular de un aneurisma de la aorta abdominal con una endoprótesis fenestrada balón expandible / Endovascular Exclusion of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Fenestrated Balloon-Expandable Stent-Graft

La reparación endovascular de los aneurismas de la aorta abdominal (AAA) es una alternativa atractiva a la cirugía convencional. El límite absoluto para el implante de una endoprótesis estándar es la presencia de una o ambas arterias renales emergiendo del saco aneurismático. En estos casos, el empleo de dispositivos fenestrados con preservación del flujo sanguíneo de dichas arterias puede ser una alternativa terapéutica al tratamiento convencional. El objetivo de esta presentación es comunicar la colocación de una endoprótesis fenestrada balón expandible en un paciente con AAA, monorreno y con un riñón intrapelviano en el que la arteria renal emergía del saco aneurismático. Por vía femoral derecha sobre una guía rígida se ascendió el tronco aórtico de la endoprótesis. A continuación, por la misma vía, se ascendió el módulo de conexión entre el tronco aórtico y la arteria ilíaca común derecha. Un tercer módulo conectó la rama de la fenestración del segundo módulo con la arteria renal. El procedimiento se completó con la oclusión de la arteria ilíaca común izquierda (mediante stent oclusor) y la realización de un bypass femorofemoral. El éxito clínico y de implante alcanzado con este paciente muestra que las endoprótesis fenestradas son una opción en anatomías complejas y nos alienta a continuar trabajando con este tipo de dispositivos.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is an attractive option to conventional surgery. The presence of one or both renal arteries emerging from the aneurysmal sac is the absolute limit for implanting a standard stent-graft. In these cases, the use of fenestrated devices that preserve blood flow to these arteries might constitute a therapeutic option to conventional treatment. The aim of this case report is to describe the implant of a balloon-expandable stent-graft using a fenestrated device in a patient with an AAA and only one kidney located in the pelvis with a renal artery emerging from the aneurysmal sac. A stiff guide-wire was introduced via the femoral artery and the aortic segment of the stent-graft was advanced. A second segment was introduced to connect the aortic trunk with the right common iliac artery. Finally, a third segment connected the fenestrated branch of the second segment with the renal artery. The procedure ended with the placement of an occluder device in the left common iliac artery and a femorofemoral bypass graft surgery. The clinical success achieved with this patient demonstrates that fenestrated stent-grafts are an option in complex anatomies and encourages us to keep on working with this type of devices.

Transrenal deployment of a modular stent graft to repair AAAs with short necks: experiments in dogs.

Severely angulated (> 60 degrees ) or short (< 15 mm) proximal necks remain significant anatomical limitations for endovascular stent-graft repairs for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Ensuring proper proximal fixation of the stent-graft to the host artery without the short-or long-term risks of endoleak or migration represents a particular technical challenge for these anatomical circumstances. An innovative balloon expandable stent combined with a weft-knitted prosthesis was specifically designed for these situations by modelling the stent to the neck anatomy without overdistension or potential barotrauma allowing better incorporation of the device. The Latecba stent-graft consists of a 2 parts modular design. The first one, Module A, is deployed at the transrenal level and consists of a Palmaz type stent whose first half is bare and second half is sutured to a crimped weft-knitted polyester graft whose distal end holds a constriction. The second Module B is a non-crimped weft-knitted graft attached to 2 stainless steel stents. The first stent is entirely contained in the proximal textile tube, allowing fixation to module A. The second stent, which is left uncovered over the distal third, ensures proper fixation of the stent-graft distally. Following the creation of a prosthetic aneurysm in the infrarenal aorta in 32 dogs, 29 received the Latecba stent-graft for scheduled durations of 10 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Proper deployment of the stent-grafts was achieved without difficulty. All 29 animals survived and the devices were all patent at sacrifice. No device defects or migrations were observed and the stent-grafts proved to be efficient in this setting to exclude the aneurysm. Analyses of the explanted devices (gross observations, RX, CT scan, IVUS, angioscopy) confirmed the stability of this modular stent-graft. Further on-going clinical investigations are warranted to validate this concept before this stent-graft becomes commercially available without any restriction.

Carotid artery dissection: endovascular treatment. Report of 12 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to report our experience with endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection with the use of stents. BACKGROUND: Carotid dissection is an important cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged patients. There are some patients in whom invasive management is recommended. METHODS: Twelve patients (eight females, four males), mean age of 50 years (range 35-80 years) with ICA dissection, were treated with the endovascular approach during a 24-month period. Patients included in this study underwent magnetic resonance (MR) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for diagnosis. Over this time period, 162 patients with ICA dissections were seen at our institution. Indications for endovascular treatment were: recurrent ischemic events despite adequate anticoagulant treatment in seven cases, contraindication to anticoagulation in four cases, and one case with significant mismatch between diffusion and perfusion weighted MR. Eleven dissections were spontaneous and one was traumatic. The follow-up was performed clinically with Doppler ultrasound (US) and MR at 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: Stent deployment was successful in all cases. Acute symptoms were resolved in 66.7% of patients. No patients deteriorated their neurological status. There were no new clinical events, stent stenosis or occlusion on 24 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our results showed an excellent clinical outcome of the treated patients. This suggests promising results with the use of endovascular treatment in selected patients.

Tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente: resultados a mediano plazo / Endovascular treatment of the descending thoracic aorta: mid-term results

Objetivo: El propósito de esta publicación es comunicar nuestros resultados inmediatos y a mediano plazo del tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente mediante implante de endoprótesis. Material y métodos: Entre agosto de 1999 y agosto de 2006, 74 pacientes consecutivos, 53 hombres y 21 mujeres, fueron tratados por vía endovascular con implante de una prótesis autoexpandible. La edad media fue de 60 ± 14,8 años. Las indicaciones para tratamiento fueron disección aguda (n = 8); 11 por ciento, disección crónica (n =31); 42 por ciento, hematoma intramural (n = 5); 7 por ciento, aneurisma verdadero (n = 17); 23 por ciento, úlcera penetrante (n = 4); 5 por ciento y seudoaneurisma traumático (n = 9); 12 por ciento. Resultados: El implante del dispositivo fue exitoso en 73 (98,6) pacientes; no se requirió conversión quirúrgica en ninguno de ellos. Ningún paciente presentó paraplejía o déficit neurológico. La mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 8,1 por ciento (n = 6). La mediana de seguimiento fue de 33,5 meses (rango 1-79) y la sobrevida global fue del 84 por ciento (IC 69-92 por ciento) y del 91 por ciento (IC 77-97 por ciento), según se incluyese o no la mortalidad temprana. El 93 por ciento (IC 84-97 por ciento) de los pacientes estaban libres de complicaciones relacionadas con el procedimiento. La mayoría de las complicaciones ocurrieron durante el primer año de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El tratamiento endovascular de la aorta torácica descendente con implante de endoprótesis autoexpandible es factible y seguro. La baja incidencia de eventos en relación con las series quirúrgicas publicadas hace que este procedimiento sea de elección en pacientes seleccionados.

[Endoluminal stent-graft placement for acute dissection of the descending aorta complicated with rupture. Report of one case]. / Tratamiento endoluminal de disección aguda complicada en aorta descendente. Comunicación de un caso.

Acute dissection of the aorta, although not common, has early and highly lethal complications. The type A dissection is treated with surgery. Patients with type B dissections are treated with surgery if they have complications like rupture, growth or visceral ischemia. Surgery, however, has complications such as spinal cord ischemia. Endovascular grafts have less mortality and complications. We report a 59 years old male patient with a type B dissection complicated with rupture. He was treated successfully with the placement of an endoluminal graft. He was discharged five days after the procedure in good conditions. After one year of follow up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

Tratamiento endoluminal de disección aguda complicada en aorta descendente: Comunicación de un caso / Endoluminal stent-graft placement for acute dissection of the descending aorta complicated with rupture: Report of one case

Acute dissection of the aorta, although not common, has early and highly lethal complications. The type A dissection is treated with surgery. Patients with type B dissections are treated with surgery if they have complications like rupture, growth or visceral ischemia. Surgery, however, has complications such as spinal cord ischemia. Endovascular grafts have less mortality and complications. We report a 59 years old male patient with a type B dissection complicated with rupture. He was treated successfully with the placement of an endoluminal graft. He was discharged five days after the procedure in good conditions. After one year of follow up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

MR angiography of aortoiliac occlusive disease: a phase III study of the safety and effectiveness of the blood-pool contrast agent MS-325.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the safety and effectiveness of aortoiliac magnetic resonance (MR) angiography enhanced with MS-325 (gadofosveset trisodium) at a dose of 0.03 mmol/kg; effectiveness was defined as accuracy relative to the reference standard, conventional angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was approved by institutional review boards of participating institutions, and required national approvals were obtained. Study protocol conformed to Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and informed patient consent was obtained. Patients with known or suspected peripheral vascular disease received 0.03 mmol/kg MS-325 for aortoiliac MR angiography. They were also examined with conventional angiography. MS-325-enhanced MR was evaluated for safety and effectiveness. Along with unenhanced two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography, it was compared with conventional angiography for presence of vascular stenosis. Student t tests were used to identify significant improvement in diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, as well as quantitative characterization of stenoses by three blinded readers. Correlations between readers of conventional angiograms were calculated and compared with MR results. RESULTS: In 174 patients, MS-325-enhanced MR angiography showed significant improvement (P < or = .001) in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for diagnosis of clinically significant (> or =50%) stenosis, compared with unenhanced MR. For all readers, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for both quantitative and qualitative measures of significant disease increased (P < .001) for MS-325-enhanced MR compared with time-of-flight MR. All readers also expressed higher confidence in diagnosis (P < .001) and found fewer images uninterpretable with MS-325 enhancement. All measures of interpretation accuracy approached corresponding measures of correlation between readers of conventional angiograms. Incidence of severe and serious adverse events with MS-325 was low. No patients were withdrawn from study due to adverse events or abnormalities in laboratory results. There were no clinically important trends in findings at hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis, electrocardiography, or physical examination. CONCLUSION: MR angiography with MS-325 provides significant improvement in effectiveness over unenhanced MR (and minimal and transient side effects) at a dose of 0.03 mmol/kg and was safe and effective for MR evaluation of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Massive pulmonary embolism: percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Seven patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) causing cardiac arrest underwent percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) with Hydrolyser and Oasis catheters during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Three received adjunctive recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Thrombectomy was successful in restoring pulmonary perfusion in six patients (85.7%). One patient died of cardiac arrest. Systolic pulmonary pressure decreased after thrombectomy from a median of 73 mm Hg (range, 63-90 mm Hg) to 42 mm Hg (range, 32-81 mm Hg; P < .05). There was one groin hematoma that required blood transfusion. In conclusion, massive PE causing cardiac arrest can be treated with PMT simultaneously with CPR maneuvers to rapidly revert circulatory collapse, with restoration of pulmonary circulation. Larger series are needed to validate this method.

Obstrucción colorrectal maligna: tratamiento con endoprótesis metálicas autoexpandibles / Colorectal obstruction: treatment with expandible stent endoprosthesis

Objetivo: evaluar la utilidad de las endoprótesis metálicas autoexpandibles en el tratamiento de la obstrucción colorrectal secundaria a una neoplasia maligna. Material y métodos: se instalaron un total de doce endoprótesis en doce pacientes bajo fluorscopica, en dos casos asistido por endoscopía. Los pacientes presentaban signos clínicos y radiológicos de una obstrucción intestinal a nivel colorrectal. Las indicaciones de instalación fueron: tratamiento paliativo en 10 pacientes con evidencias de enfermedad tumoral a distancia (9) o pelvis congelada (1) y en 2 pacientes como método de descompresión prequirúrgica. Se utilizaron prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles (Wallstent 20 x 55 mm). Resultados: la colocación de la endoprótesis fue exitosa en 12 pacientes, que se recuperaron de su obstrucción colónica dentro de las 24 horas siguientes. Conclusión: la instalación de endoprótesis autoexpandibles en pacientes con obstrucción intestinal a nivel colorrectal es un método mínimamente invasivo, efectivo como tratamiento paliativo en aquellos pacientes de alto riesgo para una intervención quirúrgica. Por otra parte, éste procedimiento también permite la preparación preoperatoria del colon y así proceder en una sola etapa quirúrgica