Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/therapy , Femoral Artery/pathology , Hemodynamics/physiology , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/instrumentation , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/instrumentation , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnosis , Blood Flow Velocity/physiology , Blood Volume/physiology , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Intermittent Claudication/diagnosis , Intermittent Claudication/therapy , Ischemia/diagnosis , Ischemia/therapy , Leg/blood supply , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent reasons for failure of haemodialysis lines is catheter blockage caused by fibrin sheath formation. We report our experience of percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping in treating this problem. METHODS: A consecutive series of failing haemodialysis catheters underwent percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping in an attempt to retrieve and prolong the life of the catheter. Immediate technical success, clinical success, and primary and secondary patency were measured based on clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Sixteen non-functional permanent haemodialysis lines in 15 patients underwent percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping on 21 occasions. Technical success rate was 100%. Catheter flow rates sufficient for initial dialysis were achieved in 12 (75%) lines. Successful percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping produced a mean catheter patency of 126 days (range 6-299 days). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping is a simple, repeatable procedure that can usefully extend the life of a failing dialysis line. However, a randomized trial will be needed to evaluate its role compared with catheter replacement.
Subject(s)
Catheterization/instrumentation , Renal Dialysis/instrumentation , Female , Fibrin , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Arteriovenous Fistula/surgery , Diskectomy/adverse effects , Iliac Artery/abnormalities , Iliac Vein/abnormalities , Stents , Alloys , Arteriovenous Fistula/etiology , Humans , Iliac Artery/injuries , Iliac Vein/injuries , Intervertebral Disc/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Spinal Diseases/surgeryABSTRACT
This paper describes the construction and evaluation of a simple anti-pollution device for use with the McKesson nasal mask for dental anaesthesia. The device is attached to the expiratory valve of the mask and spilled halothane vapour is adsorbed onto activated charcoal. In theatre use, comparing similar dental anaesthesia sessions, it resulted in a reduction of approximately 78% in the mean halothane concentration (vol./vol.) at a point equidistant from the expiratory valve as the faces of surgeon and anaesthetist. This percentage reduction was consistent with the weight gained by the activated charcoal container (Cardiff 'Aldasorber') compared with the weight of halothane vapourised.
