Risk factors for stent occlusion after catheter-directed thrombolysis and iliac vein stenting in the treatment of May-Thurner syndrome with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for stent occlusion in patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) secondary to May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and iliac vein stenting. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting for MTS with iliofemoral DVT between October 2001 and March 2018. MTS was diagnosed based on extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the overlying right common iliac artery (CIA) on computed tomography (CT). Clinical records of the study population were reviewed to collect baseline data, procedural characteristics, and outcomes. Final venograms showing diffuse and irregular wall thickening in the iliofemoral vein were considered to indicate a chronic post-thrombotic lesion. The stent position was categorized as follows: confluence coverage without touching the contralateral inferior vena cava (IVC) wall, IVC extension contacting the contralateral IVC wall, or distal to the iliocaval junction. Stent patency was assessed using duplex ultrasonography. Risk factors for stent occlusion were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The median duplex ultrasound follow-up period was 25 months (range, 1-196 months). The overall cumulative patency rate at 12 months was 70.0%. In the univariate Cox regression, factors significantly associated with stent occlusion included symptom duration >2 weeks before CDT, partial thrombolysis (50-99% of thrombus removal), chronic post-thrombotic lesions, and stent position. Multivariate Cox regression showed that chronic post-thrombotic lesions [hazard ratio (HR) =7.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-38.81; P=0.023] and a stent distal to the iliocaval junction (HR =5.59; 95% CI: 1.46-21.38; P=0.012) were significantly associated with stent occlusion. Conclusions: Chronic post-thrombotic lesion and a stent distal to the iliocaval junction were important risk factors for stent occlusion in patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting.

Guidewire-catheter induced hydrodissection to assist radiofrequency ablation for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma with iodized oil retention in patients with failed artificial ascites due to perihepatic adhesion.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of guidewire-catheter induced hydrodissection (GIH) to assist radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with iodized oil retention in patients with failed artificial ascites due to perihepatic adhesion. METHODS: This retrospective study included 17 patients with small subcapsular HCC ineligible for ultrasonography-guided RFA who received RFA under guidance of fluoroscopy and cone-beam computed tomography immediately after iodized oil transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) between April 2011 and January 2016. In the study patients, creation of artificial ascites to protect the perihepatic structures failed due to perihepatic adhesion and GIH was attempted to separate the perihepatic structures from the ablation zone. The technical success rate of GIH, technique efficacy of RFA with GIH, local tumor progression (LTP), peritoneal seeding, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success rate of GIH was 88.24% (15 of 17 patients). Technique efficacy was achieved in all 15 patients receiving RFA with GIH. During an average follow-up period of 48.1 months, LTP developed in three patients. Cumulative LTP rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 13.3%, 20.6%, 20.6%, and 20.6%, respectively. No patient had peritoneal seeding. Two of the 15 patients receiving RFA with GIH had a CIRSE grade 3 liver abscess, but none had complications associated with thermal injury to the diaphragm or abdominal wall near the ablation zone. CONCLUSION: GIH can be a useful method to assist RFA for subcapsular HCC with iodized oil retention in patients with failed artificial ascites due to perihepatic adhesion.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched study.

PURPOSE: To compare therapeutic outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic locations by propensity score matching. METHODS: This retrospective study included 293 patients with single HCC (≤ 3 cm) ineligible for ultrasound-guided RFA who received iodized oil TACE and subsequent RFA between June 2010 and January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor location: subphrenic (n = 99) and nonsubphrenic (n = 194). Subphrenic HCC was defined as a tumor abutting the diaphragm. Local tumor progression (LTP) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared by propensity score matching. Procedure-related complications were also assessed. RESULTS: Matching yielded 93 matched pairs of patients. In the matched cohorts, cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates were 5.4%, 12.1%, and 12.1% in the subphrenic group and 1.1%, 7.5%, and 8.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.278). Corresponding OS rates were 100%, 80.2%, and 71.3% in the subphrenic group and 97.9%, 88.1%, and 75.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.308). The subphrenic location was not a significant risk factor for LTP and OS in multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic outcomes of combined TACE and RFA for small subphrenic HCC were similar to those for nonsubphrenic HCC. The combination therapy seems to be an effective and safe method in treating small subphrenic HCC.

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with single gastropexy: outcomes in 636 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the technical success and overall complication rate of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2018, 636 patients (469 men, 167 women; mean age 66.8 years; age range, 22-98 years) underwent PRG using single gastropexy at a tertiary center. Preprocedural computed tomography (CT) was recommended if there were no data on the location of the stomach on previous CT. After a single anchor was applied, the PRG tube was inserted through a separate tract from that used for tube placement. The technical success rate and major and minor complications were retrospectively reviewed. The number of patients and percentages were used as descriptive statistics for evaluating the complication rate. RESULTS: The technical success rate of PRG with single gastropexy was 99.2% (631/636). There were 32 complications among the 631 procedures. There were 19 (3.0%) major complications, including peritonitis (n = 7), migration (n = 5), infection (n=4), malposition (n = 2), and bleeding (n = 1). There were 13 (2.1%) minor complications, including local infection (n = 11), malfunction (n = 1), and pneumoperitoneum (n = 1). The overall complication rate within 30 days of PRG placement was 4.1% (26/631). CONCLUSIONS: PRG with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement is technically feasible with a low complication rate. KEY POINTS: • Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement is technically feasible. • Complications including peritonitis and bleeding were comparatively low with the conventional technique.

Radiologic and clinical results of transarterial ethanol embolization for renal angiomyolipoma.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of selective arterial embolization for renal angiomyolipoma (AML) using ethanol alone or ethanol with additional embolic materials and to analyze the factors influencing safety and efficacy. METHODS: One hundred nineteen AMLs treated with embolization were included retrospectively during a 15-year period. Technical, radiologic, and clinical success were recorded and risk factor analysis was performed. Complications on follow-up images, post-embolization syndrome (PES), major complications, and changes in renal function were also evaluated. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 106 of 119 tumors. Tumor size significantly decreased after treatment (reduction rate: 55%). Significant risk factors for tumor reduction included tumor enhancement on preprocedural CT and residual tumor staining. Radiologic success was achieved in 114 of 119 tumors (risk factor: residual tumor staining), and clinical success was achieved in 22 of 23 patients. Complications on follow-up images occurred in 40 of 119 tumors, and PES occurred in 53 of 104 patients. No major complications occurred. There were no cases of renal function impairment. CONCLUSION: Selective transarterial embolization using ethanol alone or ethanol with additional embolic materials reduced AML size, alleviated symptoms, and can be performed safely without permanent impairment. KEY POINTS: • Percutaneous transarterial ethanol embolization reduces AML size and alleviates symptoms. • Embolization can be performed safely without permanent impairment of renal function.

Primary aldosteronism subtyping in the setting of partially successful adrenal vein sampling.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Frequent failure of adrenal vein (AV) cannulation is a major obstacle to the universal use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for subtyping primary aldosteronism (PA). This study aimed to confirm and modify the value of a previously reported AVS parameter for PA subtyping in the case of cannulation failure on one side. METHODS: Successfully catheterized AVS studies in 157 patients (121 patients as a derivation cohort and 36 patients as a validation cohort) from two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The AV/inferior vena cava (IVC) index was defined by dividing the aldosterone/cortisol ratio (ACR) of AV by the ACR of the IVC. Cutoff values for lateralized PA were obtained from two methods: scatterplots and the values corresponding to Youden's index in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, on the assumption of catheterization failure on one side. RESULTS: Due to multiple samplings in a single AVS procedure, 252 left AV/IVC ratios (LIRs) and 272 right AV/IVC ratios (RIRs) were calculated. Scatterplot cutoffs of LIR >5.4 or <0.5 predicted unilateral PA with a sensitivity of 42.1% and a specificity of 98.6%. Scatterplot cutoffs of RIR <0.5 or >7.0 showed a sensitivity of 55.1% and a specificity of 98.6%. ROC curve cutoffs of LIR ⩽0.8 or >3.1 predicted unilateral PA with a sensitivity of 82.5% and a specificity of 69.6%. ROC curve cutoffs of RIR ⩽0.8 or >3.9 resulted in 87.4% sensitivity and 80.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: In the case of unilateral AVS failure, the AV/IVC index may help in diagnosing PA subtype.

Combined therapy with bronchial artery embolization and tranexamic acid for hemoptysis.

BACKGROUND: While most previous studies have viewed tranexamic acid as a bridging or temporary therapy, our preliminary study offers insights into the combined therapy of antifibrinolytic agent with endovascular treatment for hemoptysis. PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and safety of combined therapy, to analyze factors affecting the outcomes of combined therapy, and to compare the effectiveness of combined therapy between groups with different etiologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2014, 64 patients (33 men, mean age 64.6 years) underwent combined therapy for hemoptysis. The median follow-up time was 14.7 months (range 174-2435 days). Patients were divided into a tuberculosis group (GroupTB, n=37) and a non-tuberculosis group (Groupnon-TB, n=27). RESULTS: Embolotherapy was technically successful in 62/64 (96.9%) cases. The immediate clinical success rate was 96.8% (60/62). The short-term and long-term recurrence rates were 12.9% (n=8) and 19.4% (n=12), respectively. The one-, two-, and four-year recurrence-free survival rates were 61%, 49%, and 32%, respectively. There was no significant survival difference between the two groups. Suboptimal embolization was a significant risk factor for immediate clinical failure (odds ratio 29.624, P = 0.023). Optimal embolization (hazard ratio [HR] 0.199, P = 0.023) and older age (HR 0.956, P = 0.013) were significantly associated with lower recurrence risk. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy is an effective and safe treatment modality for hemoptysis of various etiologies, with potential benefits for short-term recurrence vis-a-vis current literature evidence. Suboptimal embolization was the most important modifiable risk factor for treatment failure and recurrence after combined therapy.

Therapeutic outcomes of embolotherapy of extremity bone intraosseous arteriovenous malformation with ethanol, coils, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the therapeutic outcomes of embolotherapy for bone arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) affecting the extremities using ethanol, coils, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). METHODS: We reviewed the data from 36 patients (18 males, 18 females; mean age 25 years; age range, 1-64 years) with bone AVMs affecting their extremities who had undergone embolotherapy using ethanol, coils, and NBCA from December 1996 to July 2019. Of the 36 patients, 19 had had pure bone AVMs and 17 mixed bone and soft tissue (MBS) AVMs. Embolotherapy was performed using direct puncture or a transvenous or an intra-arterial approach (range, 1-18 procedures; mean, 5 procedures). During the 178 embolotherapy procedures, ethanol was used in all 36 patients, except for 1. Coils were used in 14 patients, and NBCA and a lipiodol mixture in 9 patients. The therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by the clinical symptom response and the degree of devascularization on follow-up angiography or computed tomography. The major and minor complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: The clinical success (cure or markedly improvement) rate of embolotherapy for pure bone AVMs was significantly better than that for the MBS AVMs (88% vs 18%; P < .001). The complete devascularization rate of the bone AVM component of the MBS AVMs was 71%; however, the cure rate of the MBS AVMs was 0% owing to the remaining soft tissue AVMs. Of the 36 patients, 12 experienced complications, including 11 minor (2 skin bullae formation and 10 transient peripheral nerve injury) and 1 major (longstanding nerve palsy). CONCLUSIONS: Embolotherapy for bone AVMs affecting the extremities using ethanol, coils, and an NBCA mixture is effective and safe for the resolution or improvement of symptoms, especially in those with pure bone AVMs.

Factors associated with the development of post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis were included in this retrospective study. In addition to catheter-directed thrombolysis, aspiration thrombectomy or stent placement was performed if needed. At six months, duplex ultrasound was performed to assess iliofemoral patency and deep venous reflux. Post-thrombotic syndrome was assessed using the clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic classification (post-thrombotic syndrome present ≥3 on a scale from 0 to 6). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 52 months and post-thrombotic syndrome developed in nine patients (17.3%). In univariate analysis, stent placement (odds ratio 0.16, p = 0.022) was negatively associated with post-thrombotic syndrome, whereas iliofemoral venous obstruction with reflux at six months (OR 6.08, p = 0.037) was positively associated with post-thrombotic syndrome. Multivariate analysis indicated that stent placement was associated with reduced risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (OR 0.17, p = 0.043), and iliofemoral obstruction with reflux was associated with increased risk (OR 6.67, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Stent placement and iliofemoral venous obstruction with reflux, respectively, were important protective and risk factors for post-thrombotic syndrome in patients who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Selective Versus Non-selective Transarterial Chemoembolization via the Intercostal Artery for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To report the 1-month tumor response and safety of selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via the intercostal artery (ICA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with those of non-selective TACE. METHODS: This retrospective study included 79 HCC patients who underwent TACE via the ICA selectively (selective TACE group; n = 26) or non-selectively (non-selective TACE group; n = 53) between January 2001 and December 2016. Selective TACE was defined when TACE was performed with selective catheterization of the tumor feeding branch of the ICA. TACE performed without selective catheterization of the tumor feeding branch was defined as non-selective TACE. One-month target and overall tumor responses and complications of the two groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Selective TACE group showed better 1-month target and overall tumor responses and lower frequency of complications than non-selective TACE group (P = .007, P = .018, and P < .001, respectively). Performing selective TACE was the only significant favorable factor for better target and overall tumor responses (P = .001 and P = .028, respectively). In univariate analysis for complications, serum α-fetoprotein > 200 ng/mL and non-selective TACE were statistically significant. However, multivariate analysis showed that performing non-selective TACE was the only significant risk factor (odds ratio 13.56; 95% confidence interval 3.51-52.5; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Compared to non-selective TACE via the ICA, selective TACE via the ICA for the treatment of HCC can achieve better tumor response and safety.

Subclassification and Treatment Results of Ethanol Embolotherapy of Type II Arteriovenous Malformations of the Extremity and Body.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ethanol and coil embolization of type II arteriovenous malformation (AVM) according to a new subtype classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four type II AVMs in the body or extremity of 79 patients who underwent AVM treatment from 1996 to 2017 were retrospectively subclassified according to the angiographic morphology of the draining vein as type IIa (arterioles shunt to focal segment of single draining vein), type IIb (arterioles shunt to venous sac with multiple draining veins), and type IIc (arterioles shunt along long segment of draining vein). Coil and ethanol embolization of the focal or long segment of the draining vein or the venous sac was performed with direct puncture or transvenous approach according to subtype. Treatment outcomes, number of treatment sessions, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: AVM cure (ie, complete embolization) rates were 95%, 76%, and 65% in types IIa, IIb, and IIc AVMs, respectively. The cure rate of type IIa AVMs was significantly better than that of type IIc AVMs (P = .015). Median numbers of treatment sessions were 1 in types IIa and IIb AVMs and 2.5 in type IIc AVMs, with a significant difference between type IIc and the other 2 types (P < .05). Minor complications occurred in 20% of patents and major complications occurred in 7%. CONCLUSIONS: The cure rate of type IIa AVMs was significantly better than that of type IIc AVMs, which also required significantly more treatment sessions than the other 2 types.

Long-term clinical outcomes after endovascular management of ruptured pseudoaneurysm in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have analyzed the short-term clinical outcomes of ndovascular management. However, the long-term outcomes are unknown. This study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes after endovascular management for ruptured pseudoaneurysm in patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: The medical records of 2,783 patients who underwent PD were retrospectively reviewed at a single center. Of 62 patients who received intervention after pseudonaeurysm rupture, 57 patients (91.9%) experienced eventual success of hemostasis. The patients were composed as follows: (embolization only [EMB], n = 30), (stent-graft placement only [STENT], n = 19) and (both embolization and stent-graft placement simultaneously or different times [EMB + STENT], n = 8). Long-term complications were defined as events that occur more than 30 days after the last successful endovascular treatment. RESULTS: Among 57 patients, short-term stent-graft related complications developed in 3 patients (5.3%) and clinical complication developed in 18 patients (31.5%). Nine (15.8%) had long-term stent-graft related complications, which involved partial thrombosis in 5 cases, occlusion in 3 cases and migration in 1 case. Except for 1 death, the remaining 8 cases did not experience clinical complications. The stent graft primary patency rate was 88.9% after 1 month, 84.2% after 1 year, and 63.2% after 2 years. Of 57 patients, 30 days mortality occurred in 8 patients (14.0%). CONCLUSION: After recovery from initial complication, most of patients did not experience fatal clinical complication during long-term follow-up. Endovascular management is an effective and safe management of pseudoaneurysm rupture after PD in terms of long-term safety.

Endovascular treatment results and risk factors for complications of body and extremity arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the complication rate and treatment outcomes of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) during a 20-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 306 patients (135 men, 171 women; mean age, 30.8 years) with body and extremity AVMs who were treated between 1996 and 2017. A total of 913 sessions of endovascular treatment were performed. Patients were divided into two decades of the study period to compare complications and clinical results. Group 1 comprised 107 patients treated in the first decade of the study period, and group 2 comprised 199 patients treated in the last decade. AVMs were classified according to the angiographic findings. Complication rates, number of treatment sessions, and treatment results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Minor complication (group 1, 20.1%; group 2, 18.5%) and major complication (group 1, 3.1%; group 2, 4.1%) rates were similar between groups (P = .79). The mean number of treatment sessions in group 1 and group 2 was 4.2 and 2.3, respectively, indicating a 45% reduction in treatment sessions (P < .0001). The treatment failure rate decreased from 9.3% in group 1 to 1.5% in group 2 (P = .04). The clinical success rate was 54.2% in group 1 and 64.3% in group 2 (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: With an accumulation of AVM treatment experience, the number of treatment sessions and the rate of treatment failures were significantly reduced.

Effect of Hyperbilirubinemia on Hepatic Hypertrophy after Portal Vein Embolization and Liver Failure after Hepatectomy in Primary Biliary Malignancy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively investigate the impact of hyperbilirubinemia on future liver remnant (FLR) volume after percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PVE) and incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure in primary biliary malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients (62 men, overall mean age 66.9 y) who underwent PVE, using Gelfoam and coils before major hepatectomy between January 2004 and June 2016, were included in this study and divided into a hyperbilirubinemia (serum total bilirubin level at PVE 5.80 ± 2.44 mg/dL; n = 41) group and a control group (1.09 ± 0.73 mg/dL; n = 46). Liver volume was measured from computerized tomographic data before and 18.5 days, on average, after PVE. Correlation between FLR hypertrophy (degree of hypertrophy and percentage increase in future liver remnant [%FLR]) and total bilirubin were analyzed. FLR hypertrophy and incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure were compared. Simple and multiple regressions were used for univariable and multivariable analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Mean FLR volumes before and after PVE were 529.1 cm3 and 640.5 cm3, respectively. Degree of hypertrophy and %FLR were 7.64 ± 4.22 and 21.77 ± 13.34, respectively. There was no significant correlation between FLR hypertrophy and total bilirubin (P > .5). FLR hypertrophy was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Planned major hepatectomy was performed in 73 patients (83.9%). Grade 3 post-hepatectomy liver failure occurred in 6 patients (8.2%; 2 in the hyperbilirubinemia group and 4 in the control group), and its incidence was not significantly different between the groups (P = .354). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperbilirubinemia at the time of PVE seems to have no effect on FLR hypertrophy. The incidence of grade 3 post-hepatectomy liver failure is not likely to be influenced, either.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization of the right inferior phrenic artery and radiofrequency ablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma near the diaphragm: its efficacy and safety.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to report the efficacy and safety of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of the right inferior phrenic artery (IPA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) near the diaphragm supplied by the right IPA. METHODS: From July 2009 through April 2015, 11 patients with small (≤ 3 cm) HCC near the diaphragm, which was infeasible for ultrasound-guided RFA and supplied by the right IPA, received TACE of the right IPA and subsequent RFA in one session. The safety and therapeutic efficacy, including technique effectiveness and local tumor progression (LTP), were evaluated. RESULTS: Technique effectiveness was achieved in all the 11 patients (100%). During average follow-up period of 39.2 months (range 13-89 months), LTP occurred in none of the 11 patients. There were twelve minor complications in eight patients, including right shoulder pain (n = 4), right pleural effusion (n = 2), diaphragmatic thickening (n = 2), transient lung change (n = 2), subsegmental intrahepatic bile duct stricture (n = 1), and subsegmental hepatic infarction (n = 1). No major complications were encountered CONCLUSION: Combined TACE of the right IPA and RFA can be a safe and effective treatment for small HCC near the diaphragm that is supplied by the right IPA.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for small treatment-naïve hepatocellular carcinoma infeasible for ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation: long-term outcomes.

Background Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often infeasible due to unfavorable location and poor conspicuity. Those small HCCs can be treated with combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and RFA. Purpose To evaluate long-term outcomes of combined TACE and RFA for small treatment-naïve HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA. Material and Methods Between February 2009 and January 2014, 69 patients with small (≤3 cm) HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA received TACE and subsequent RFA in one session as a first-line treatment. Local tumor progression (LTP), overall survival (OS), and event-free survival rates were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify prognostic factors. Results Cumulative rates of LTP were 4.4%, 6.8%, 8.2%, 9.5%, and 9.5% at one, two, three, five, and seven years, respectively. Cumulative one-, two-, three-, five-, and seven-year OS rates were 100%, 95%, 89%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. Cumulative one-, two-, three-, five-, and seven-year event-free survival rates were 81%, 63%, 54%, 31%, and 20%, respectively. No significant prognostic factors for LTP, OS, and event-free survival were identified in univariate analysis. Conclusion Combined TACE and RFA appears to be an effective treatment for small treatment-naïve HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA in terms of LTP and OS.

Portal Vein Stenting for Delayed Jejunal Varix Bleeding Associated with Portal Venous Occlusion after Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to describe portal stenting for postoperative portal occlusion with delayed (≥ 3 months) variceal bleeding in the afferent jejunal loop. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients (age range, 2-79 years; eight men and three women) who underwent portal stenting between April 2009 and December 2015 were included in the study. Preoperative medical history and the postoperative clinical course were reviewed. Characteristics of portal occlusion and details of procedures were also investigated. Technical success, treatment efficacy (defined as disappearance of jejunal varix on follow-up CT), and clinical success were analyzed. Primary stent patency rate was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: All patients underwent hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer surgery except two children with liver transplantation for biliary atresia. Portal occlusion was caused by benign postoperative change (n = 6) and local tumor recurrence (n = 5). Variceal bleeding occurred at 27 months (4 to 72 months) and portal stenting was performed at 37 months (4 to 121 months), on average, postoperatively. Technical success, treatment efficacy, and clinical success rates were 90.9, 100, and 81.8%, respectively. The primary patency rate of portal stent was 88.9% during the mean follow-up period of 9 months. Neither procedure-related complication nor mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: Interventional portal stenting is an effective treatment for delayed jejunal variceal bleeding due to portal occlusion after hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery.

Transfemoral Snare-Assisted Advancement of Stent Graft Across Acutely Angulated Aortic Arch.

Delivery of stent grafts during thoracic endovascular aortic replacement can be challenging, especially in aortic arches with severe angulation. Several techniques have been recommended to achieve this. We introduce a simple technical method, transfemoral snare-assisted device advance, which was successful in a 72-year-old woman with an aneurysm in a severely angulated aortic arch and review various technical tips.

Efficacy of Statin Treatment in Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a major medical challenge and frequently coexists with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can be treated by statin trerapy. However, whether statin treatment affects renal progression and outcomes in CKD patients remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed CKD patients at Gachon University Gil Medical Center from 2003-2013. From a total of 14,497 CKD patients, 858 statin users were paired with non-users and analyze with propensity score matching was performed. The outcomes of this study were creatinine doubling, renal death, all-cause mortality, and interactive factors for composite outcomes. Statins were prescribed to 13.5% of the study subjects. Hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for statin treatment for the doubling of serum creatinine levels were significant only in CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2, and were 0.744 (0.635-0.873) in the unmatched cohort and 0.767 (0.596-0.986) in the matched cohort. In analyses of secondary outcomes, the HRs (95% CIs) for all-cause mortality were 0.655 (0.502-0.855) in the unmatched cohort and 0.537 (0.297-0.973) in the matched cohort. The HRs (95% CIs) for statin therapy for composite outcomes among patients with and without an eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were 0.764 (0.613-0.952) and 1.232 (0.894-1.697), respectively (P for interaction, 0.017). Thus, statin treatment may have beneficial effects on renal progression and all-cause mortality only for the patients with early- stage CKD.

Usefulness of intraopertive ultrasonography during directional atherectomy using SilverHawk/TurboHawk system.

PURPOSE: Directional atherectomy (DA) was introduced for the management of infrainguinal arterial stenosis or occlusive lesions. The procedure success rate in the DEFINITIVE LE study was determined using radiologic imaging. The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of intraoperative ultrasonography (USG) during DA for evaluating the early results of this procedure. METHODS: Patients who underwent DA from January to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty lesions from 14 patients with femoral artery stenosis (>70% stenosis) with short segment occlusive lesions (<2 cm in length) were treated. Among 20 lesions, 3 were treated with the TurboHawk system with a protective device due to lesion calcification. The percentage of stenosis during and after DA was determined with USG. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 5.1 months, and the procedural success rate (<30% stenosis at the end of the procedure) was 100% on angiography, but only 30% on intraoperative USG. On USG, median residual stenosis was 40% (range, 28%-42%) at the end of DA, 40% (range, 30%-55%) at 1 month, 55% (range, 35%-85%) at 6 months, and 64% (range, 60%-100%) at 1 year. There was one dissection, but no cases of perforation, pseudoaneurysm, or thrombosis. Primary patency, which was defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio ≤3.5 with no reintervention at 6 months, was found in 18 lesions (90%), and 11 of 14 patients (78.6%) were free of ischemic symptoms such as claudication at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that DA with intraoperative USG is an effective treatment option for short segment occlusive lesions of the femoral artery.