Embolización parcial del bazo en el síndrome de Felty: intervencionismo para un síndrome clínico / Partial splenic embolization in felty´s syndrome: interventionism in a clinic syndrome

El síndrome de Felty comprende la asociación de artritis reumatoidea crónica, neutropenia y esplenomegalia. Esta última, cuando se asocia a hiperesplenismo, se caracteriza por el desarrollo de trombocitopenia, leucopenia, anemia o de todas. La embolización parcial endovascular del bazo puede ser una opción válida para el tratamiento del hiperesplenismo, pero no está exenta de riesgos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente joven, con artritis reumatoidea, síndrome de Felty e hiperesplenismo, a quien se realizó embolización parcial endovascular del bazo.

Felty's syndrome is a rare association of rheumatoid arthritis, neutropeniaand splenomegaly. When associated with hypersplenism ischaracterized by increased pooling or destruction of the corpuscularelements of the blood by the spleen and thrombocytopenia, leukopenia,or anemia may be present.Partial splenic embolization has shown to be effective. However, theprocedure may increase the risk of complications.We described a case of a young patient with Felty's syndrome, rheumatoidarthritis and hypersplenism who underwent partial splenicendovascular embolization.

[Hemodynamic depression in carotid artery stent without angioplasty]. / Incidencia de la depresion hemodinamica en el implante de endoprotesis en la arteria carotida sin dilatacion.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodynamic depression is a frequent complication related to carotid artery stenting with angioplasty. The aim of this study was to assess our results regarding hemodynamic depression, in patients who underwent carotid artery stenting without angioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2002 and April 2010, 261 carotid stenosis (in 242 patients) were treated with the use of self-expanding stents without angioplasty. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic carotid stenosis > 50%, asymptomatic carotid stenosis > 70%, and stenosis ranging between 50-70% with evidence of high risk plaque morphology or micro-embolism. Outcomes during hospitalization and 30 days after procedure were registered. Hemodynamic depression was defined as hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) or bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats/min). RESULTS: During the procedure 7 (2.9%) patients presented bradycardia and 3 (1.2%) hypotension. No patient required vasopressor drugs or ICU for hemodynamic monitoring. No patient developed asystole or other types of arrhythmia. During hospitalization, hemodynamic depression was not observed in any patients. During the first 30 days post-procedure, there were 11 TIAs (4.5%), 1 disabling stroke (0.4%), 1 non disabling stroke (0.4%), and 1 death (0.4%) (1 stent thrombosis at 11 days). CONCLUSION: The incidence of hemodynamic depression is low when carotid stenting procedure is performed without balloon angioplasty. The incidence of neurological complications post procedure was also low. This report highlights the need for performing randomized trials comparing both techniques.

Incidencia de la depresión hemodinámica en el implante de endoprótesis en la arteria carótida sin dilatación / Hemodynamic depression in carotid artery stent without angioplasty

Introducción. La depresión hemodinámica es una complicación frecuente tras el implante de una endoprótesis carotídea con angioplastia. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la incidencia de depresión hemodinámica en pacientes sometidos al implante de endoprótesis carotídea sin angioplastia. Pacientes y métodos. Entre octubre de 2002 y abril de 2010, se trataron 261 estenosis carotídeas (242 pacientes) con endoprótesis autoexpandibles sin angioplastia. Los criterios de inclusión fueron estenosis carotídea sintomática > 50%, estenosis carotídea asintomática > 70%, estenosis entre el 50-70% y evidencia de alto riesgo de microembolismo por la morfología de la placa de ateroma. Se evaluó a los pacientes al ingreso y 30 días después del procedimiento. La depresión hemodinámica se definió como hipotensión (presión arterial sistólica < 90 mmHg) o bradicardia (pulso < 60 lpm). Resultados. Durante el procedimiento, siete pacientes (2,9%) presentaron bradicardia y tres (1,2%), hipotensión. Ninguno de ellos necesitó medicación o monitorización. No se observó asistolia u otro tipo de arritmia en ningún paciente. Durante la hospitalización, no se observó depresión hemodinámica en ningún paciente. En los 30 primeros días después del procedimiento se produjeron 11 ataques isquémicos transitorios (4,5%), un ictus incapacitante (0,4%), un ictus no incapacitante (0,4%) y un fallecimiento (0,4%) (por trombosis de la endoprótesis a los 11 días). Conclusiones. La incidencia de depresión hemodinámica y de complicaciones neurológicas es baja en pacientes sometidos a implante de endoprótesis en la arteria carótida sin angioplastia con balón. Este estudio subraya la necesidad de realizar ensayos aleatorios que comparen ambas técnicas con y sin angioplastia(AU)

Introduction. Hemodynamic depression is a frequent complication related to carotid artery stenting with angioplasty. The aim of this study was to assess our results regarding hemodynamic depression, in patients who underwent carotid artery stenting without angioplasty. Patients and methods. Between October 2002 and April 2010, 261 carotid stenosis (in 242 patients) were treated with the use of self-expanding stents without angioplasty. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic carotid stenosis > 50%, asymptomatic carotid stenosis > 70%, and stenosis ranging between 50-70% with evidence of high risk plaque morphology or microembolism. Outcomes during hospitalization and 30 days after procedure were registered. Hemodynamic depression was defined as hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) or bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats/min). Results. During the procedure 7 (2.9%) patients presented bradycardia and 3 (1.2%) hypotension. No patient required vasopressor drugs or ICU for hemodynamic monitoring. No patient developed asystole or other types of arrhythmia. During hospitalization, hemodynamic depression was not observed in any patients. During the first 30 days post-procedure, there were 11 TIAs (4.5%), 1 disabling stroke (0.4%), 1 non disabling stroke (0.4%), and 1 death (0.4%) (1 stent thrombosis at 11 days). Conclusion. The incidence of hemodynamic depression is low when carotid stenting procedure is performed without balloon angioplasty. The incidence of neurological complications post procedure was also low. This report highlights the need for performing randomized trials comparing both techniques(AU)

Stent-assisted coil embolization of a mycotic renal artery aneurysm by use of a self-expanding neurointerventional stent.

Mycotic aneurysms are uncommon, especially those located in visceral arteries. We present a case of a patient with two visceral mycotic aneurysms due to bacterial endocarditis, one located in right upper pole renal artery and the second in the splenic artery. Both aneurysms were treated as endovascular embolization using microcoils. In the aneurysm located at the renal artery, the technique of stent-assisted coils embolization was preferred to avoid coils migration due to its wide neck. The stent used was the Solitaire AB, which was designed for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and was used recently in acute stroke as a mechanical thrombectomy device. Complete embolization of the aneurysm was achieved, preserving all the arterial branches without nephrogram defects in the final angiogram.

Is endovascular revascularisation worthwhile in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia who also have end-stage renal disease?

To present the outcomes of endovascular treatment of diabetics patients with critical limb ischemia who have end-stage renal disease. Limb-salvage was achieved in 58.6% of the limbs during a mean follow-up period of 12.4 months. No major amputations were required on patients with rest pain or with grade 1 lesions.

Non-protected carotid artery stent without angioplasty in high-risk patients with carotid and coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac surgery.

Hemodynamic depression (HD) is a frequent complication related to carotid endartherectomy or carotid artery stenting (CAS), often not well tolerated in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to assess whether CAS without angioplasty is beneficial in patients with severe carotid artery disease before coronary revascularization surgery (CABG) regarding the occurrence of HD. Between October 2002 and August 2006, 39 CAS were performed in 35 patients before cardiac surgery. Outcome measures, including periprocedural and 30-day post stenting and cardiac surgery complications, were assessed. Twenty-seven patients underwent CABG and eight combined CABG and valve replacement. During or immediately after CAS there was no episode of bradycardia or hypotension necessitating medical treatment. In the period between CAS-CABG, there was no case of HD. We also found no myocardial infarction. There were five neurological complications, two of them in the period between CAS-CABG (one transitory ischemic attack (TIA) and one minor stroke) and three after CABG (one TIA and two strokes). Three of them were discharged symptom-free. CAS without angioplasty can be a safe alternative to treat patients with coexistence of carotid and cardiac disease, since does not produce hemodynamic depression, therefore diminishing the cardiac complications.

Clinical follow-up in endovascular treatment for TASC C-D lesions in femoro-popliteal segment.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the technical success and clinical follow-up after endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal segment TASC II C and D lesions. METHODS: From July 2002 to February 2007, 234 limbs in 190 patients with femoropopliteal segment TASC II C (n = 112) and D (n = 122) lesions were treated. Endovascular treatment consisted of PTA, fibrinolysis and PTA, subintimal recanalization and PTA, and finally stent graft. Patients were clinically evaluated at 30 days, 3, 6 month, and at 1 year in the outpatient setting with clinical examination and ankle-brachial indices (ABI). In the case of stent placement, additional ultrasound evaluation was performed at 12, 24, and 48 month. RESULTS: 49.5% of procedures were performed on patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication (IC) and 50.5% were performed for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Technical success, defined as successful recanalization and treatment of the occluded vessel, was achieved in 97% of cases. Periprocedural mortality was 3.15% and all deaths occurred in the CLI group. A follow-up 13 +/- 6 months and was achieved in 76%. During the follow-up, clinical outcome for IC group and clinical CLI group was asymptomatic 72% vs. 29.8%, symptomatic with clinical improvement 22% vs. 33.7%, and major amputation 3% vs. 23.3%. CONCLUSION: The majority of claudicating patients with femoropopliteal TASC II C and D lesions will benefit from the endovascular treatment. Patient presenting CLI have a worse outcome, nevertheless the endovascular treatment can delay amputation, preserving the native vessel and does not impede surgical bypass if needed. For this reason, we consider that endovascular treatment may be the first choice treatment even in femoropopliteal TASC II C and D lesions.

Coil embolization of coronary artery fistulas. A single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Congenital coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an uncommon anomaly. It can become symptomatic, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report our experience in percutaneous treatment of CAF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four patients with five CAFs were treated. All were symptomatic at admission. Four fistulas rose from the left anterior descending coronary artery. The fifth originated from the right coronary sinus. All drained into the pulmonary artery. Percutaneous treatment was performed using microcoils in two cases and Hydrocoils in the last two patients (three fistulas). A complete occlusion was achieved in all. There was no complication related with the procedure, and all were asymptomatic at the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of CAFs with microcoils/Hydrocoils is feasible and safe in the anatomically suitable vessels, with low rates of complications. Percutaneous treatment with microcoils/Hydrocoils is a valid option in symptomatic patients.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in the elderly for myocardial infarction in the poststent era.

BACKGROUND: Patients of > or =70 years of age and with acute coronary syndrome accumulate more risk factors with poor outcomes. Surgical revascularization is associated with increased mortality when compared with young population. The aim of this study was to communicate a single, small center experience, of percutaneous coronary intervention in the elderly in poststent era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients, > or =70 years of age, with myocardial infarction (MI) at admission, between January, 2005 and November, 2006. We evaluate major and minor events during hospitalization. RESULTS: Patients (64%) were male, 53.3% hypertension, 38.7% diabetes mellitus. Clinical presentation was: ST-segment elevation MI 53.3% and 5.3% with cardiogenic shock. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction was 48.5 +/- 18%. The procedure was successful in all the cases and culprit lesions received at least one stent in 93.4%. In-hospital major events were registered in 6.6% of cases: 3 (4%) death and 2 (2.6%) nonfatal MI; minor complications were registered in 5.2% of cases. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients >70 years of age during MI is feasible and safe, with low rates of complications.