Clinical Utility of the Candy-Plug Technique Using an Excluder Aortic Extender.

Objective: To describe the clinical utility and technical aspects of the candy-plug technique using an Excluder aortic extender (Ex-cuff) for false lumen (FL) occlusion in chronic aortic dissection. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study analyzing seven consecutive patients (mean age, 63 years; range, 44-78 years; 6 men) with aneurysmal dilatation or rupture in chronic aortic dissection. All patients had undergone thoracic endovascular aortic repair with FL occlusion using this technique. We assessed technical (deployment accuracy) and clinical (no FL backflow on the latest contrast-enhanced computed tomography) success. Results: Technical success was obtained in six patients (86%). Technical failure was caused by the malposition of the candy-plug. The mean follow-up period was 593 days (range, 222-1225 days). Clinical success was obtained in four (57%), and incomplete Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) embolization was seen in two. There was no enlarged FL after the procedure, and all patients are alive during the follow-up periods. Conclusion: The candy-plug technique using an Ex-cuff may be a feasible option; however, it takes time to achieve complete AVP embolization. Therefore, using additional embolic materials should be considered when we use it for the rupture case. (This is a translation of Jpn J Endovasc Interv 2018; 19: 29-35.).

Palladium-Catalyzed Annulation of Acyl Fluorides with Norbornene via Decarbonylation and CO Reinsertion.

A palladium-catalyzed annulation of acyl fluorides with norbornene is described. This study reports the first example of an annulation of acyl fluorides in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst. Polycyclic ketones are obtained from the cleavage of the C-F and C-H bonds of the acyl fluoride and the rearrangement of the carbonyl moiety by decarbonylation and CO reinsertion.

Stent-Graft Relining by Combined Aortic Cuff with Double-D Technique for Type IIIb or V Endoleak after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Case Report.

We report the case of a 83-year-old man with aneurysmal sac enlargement after endovascular aneurysm repair for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, despite no overt endoleak (EL) detected on imaging. Occult type II EL was suspected, and treatment was performed. However, the aneurysm continued to enlarge. Thus, we diagnose with type V EL as exclusion diagnosis. We combined an aortic cuff and stent-graft leg to cover the initially inserted stent graft, as a diagnostic treatment for unrefined type IIIb EL. Subsequently, the aneurysm diameter decreased. This technique and concept may be effective for type V EL, which may include another type occult EL.

Palladium-Catalyzed Reductive Conversion of Acyl Fluorides via Ligand-Controlled Decarbonylation.

Ligand-controlled non-decarbonylative and decarbonylative conversions of acyl fluorides were developed using a Pd(OAc)2/Et3SiH combination. When tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) was used as the ligand, aldehydes were obtained as simple reductive conversion products. The use of 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane (Cy2P(CH2)2PCy2, DCPE) as the ligand, however, favored the formation of hydrocarbons, which are decarbonylative reduction products.

Early and Mid-Term Results of Endovascular Aortic Repair Using a Crossed-Limb Technique for Patients with Severely Splayed Iliac Angulation.

Objective: We evaluated early and mid-term results of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using crossed-limb and non-crossed-limb techniques. Material and Methods: From December 2011 to October 2013, 37 patients (31 men; mean age 75.4 years) were treated with EVAR (crossed-limb, 21 and non-crossed-limb, 16). We compared technical success, maximum short-axis diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm, iliac angulation, time for catheterization of the short contralateral limb gate of the main body (SCT), and complications between the groups. Results: The mean follow-up period was 810±230 days. The technical success rate was 100%. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of mean short-axis diameter. Iliac angulation was significantly wider in the crossed-limb group (53.3±14.6 vs. 39.4±13.0, p=0.0049). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SCT. Limb occlusion occurred in two cases (one crossed-limb and one non-crossed-limb). There were no aneurysm-related deaths. Conclusion: There were no differences between the crossed-limb and non-crossed-limb techniques in terms of early and mid-term results of EVAR. A crossed-limb technique can be performed safely without prolonged SCT even in severely splayed iliac angulation cases.

Migration of the Zenith Flex Device during Endovascular Aortic Repair of an Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm with a Severely Angulated Neck.

A woman in her 80s with an infrarenal aortic aneurysm was scheduled for endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). The aneurysm had a severely angulated neck (SAN), and the Zenith Flex device was selected. Completion angiography showed migration of the main body resulting in right renal artery stenosis. A Palmaz genesis was placed across the renal orifice. The patient had no renal dysfunction and was discharged 7 days after EVAR. If Zenith Flex devices are used for a SAN, it is necessary to consider not only the position of the renal artery but also the appropriate position of the stent-graft.

Candy-Plug Technique Using an Excluder Aortic Extender for Distal Occlusion of a Large False Lumen Aneurysm in Chronic Aortic Dissection.

PURPOSE: To describe the candy-plug technique using an Excluder aortic extender for distal occlusion of a large false lumen aneurysm in chronic aortic dissection. TECHNIQUE: A 60-year-old female patient with a history of chronic type B aortic dissection and high-dose steroid use for Churg-Strauss syndrome developed a large 6.2 cm maximum diameter false lumen aneurysm. She underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair from the left common carotid artery to the descending aorta to cover the proximal entry at the level of distal arch, with coil embolization of the left subclavian artery. To occlude the large false lumen from the reentry just below the level of the left renal artery ostium, a modified 32×45-mm Excluder aortic extender was deployed in the false lumen through the reentry, and a 16-mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug I was deployed in the waist of the modified Excluder aortic extender for complete occlusion. No obvious technical complication was seen. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography at 1 and 14 months revealed no endoleaks and showed complete false lumen thrombosis. CONCLUSION: The candy-plug technique using the Excluder aortic extender is feasible for occlusion of a large false lumen aneurysm in chronic aortic dissection.

[Slight Damage to Epidural Catheter Equipped with Tuohy Needle at Time of Insertion Results in Embedded Remnant.]

It is known that a portion of an epidural catheter can remain embedded when the catheter is pulled back at the time of insertion or a longer length than required is used. We report a case in which an epi- dural catheter piece including a metal coil broke off and remained embedded at the time of withdrawal. Because of the presence of the coil, MRI could not be utilized, while CT scanning was useful to locate the remaining portion. Following surgical extraction, the embedded portion was thoroughly examined. The point of the catheter was cut sharply, which suggested that damage occurred without awareness of the anesthesi- ologist When a catheter breaks leaving a remnant surgical extraction should be considered based on appropriate examination findings.

Life-Saving Embolization in a Patient with Recurrent Shock Due to a Type II Endoleak after Endovascular Aortic Repair for a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

A man in his 80s underwent urgent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). Surgery was completed without apparent complications, and the patient was returned to the Cardiac Care Unit. Two hours later, he again developed shock, and contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography showed extravasation from a type II endoleak (T2EL) involving the IMA. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was immediately performed, and the patient's vital signs stabilized soon after embolization. Abdominal compartment syndrome was suspected during the procedure, so a retroperitoneal hematoma evacuation was performed. The patient's postoperative course was satisfactory, and he transferred to another hospital. EVAR for RAAA would be useful, but it is necessary to be considered that T2EL can cause the aggravation of unstable circulation.

Embolization by Direct Puncture with a Transpedicular Approach Using an Isocenter Puncture (ISOP) Method in a Patient with a Type II Endoleak After Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR).

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) requires further intervention in 20-30 % of cases, often due to type II endoleak (T2EL). Management options for T2EL include transarterial embolization, direct puncture (DP), or transcaval embolization. We report the case of an 80-year-old man with T2EL who successfully underwent DP embolization. METHODS: Embolization by DP was performed with a transpedicular approach using an isocenter puncture (ISOP) method. An isocenter marker (ICM) was placed at a site corresponding to the aneurysm sac on fluoroscopy in two directions (frontal and lateral views). A vertebroplasty needle was inserted tangentially to the ICM under fluoroscopy and advanced to the anterior wall of the vertebral body. A 20 cm-length, 20-G-PTCD needle was inserted through the outer needle of the 13-G needle and advanced to the ICM. Sac embolization using 25 % N-buty-2-cyanoacrylate diluted with Lipiodol was performed. After complete embolization, rotational DA confirmed good filling of the sac with Lipiodol. The outer cannula and 13-G needle were removed and the procedure was completed. RESULTS: The patient was discharged the next day. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography 1 and 8 months later showed no Lipiodol washout in the aneurysm sac, no endoleak recurrence, and no expansion of the excluded aneurysm. CONCLUSION: DP with a transpedicular approach using ISOP may be useful when translumbar and transabdominal approaches prove difficult.

[Right ventricular rupture due to blunt trauma diagnosed by MDCT; report of a case].

The survival rate of cardiac rupture due to blunt trauma is generally low. We experienced a case with right ventricular rupture due to blunt trauma. The patient was a 49-year-old man who was crushed in a traffic accident and transported to a local hospital in a shock state. He was diagnosed with cardiac tamponade due to cardiac rupture, and for pericardial drainage was immediately performed. He was then transferred to our hospital for emergency surgery. His hemodynamics was stable, and he was diagnosed with right ventricular rupture by multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT). The operation was performed successfully without cardiopulmonary bypass, and his postoperative course was uneventful. MDCT is useful for detecting the rupture site of the heart.

[Acute abdominal aortic occlusion in a patient with a giant thrombus in the left atrium and mitral stenosis; report of a case].

The patient was a 69-year-old male who had had percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) 15 years ago, and had stopped taking warfarin after PTMC. He was transferred to our emergency room( ER) because of sudden severe pain in his both lower legs. We recognized pulselessness in his both femoral arteries, and pallor, paresthesia and poikilothermia in his lower extremities. Electorocardiogram(ECG) showed arterial fibrillation, and computed tomography( CT) showed occlusion of the abdominal aorta just below inferior mesenteric artery( IMA) and both common iliac arteries. By echocardiography, a giant thrombus was detected in the left atrium with severe mitral stenosis. Thrombectomy and angioplasty were performed at about 5 hours after the onset of occlusion, and revascularization was successful. Three days after the operation, we excised the giant thrombus in the left atrium and performed mitral valve replacement because we considered that myonephropathic metabolic syndrome (MNMS) had been prevented. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 27th postoperative day.

[Cardiac failure caused by intrapericardial chronic expanding hematoma 18 years after CABG].

Chronic expanding hematoma(CEH)was first recognized by Reid in 1980. It begins to expand chronically more than 1 month after surgery or trauma, which is considered the possible cause of bleeding. It resembles chronic subdural hematoma. Most of the reports on CEH are those in the thoracic cavity or muscles, and few are in the pericardial cavity after open heart surgery. Our case was a 64-year-old male, who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 18 years before. He presented with symptoms of heart failure such as exertional dyspnea, general fatigue and appetite loss. Computed tomography( CT) scan showed severe compression of the left ventricle by a large mass, and he was diagnosed with intrapericardial CEH. Resection of the severely calcified epicardium as well as removal of the hematoma in the pericardial cavity was performed, and the symptoms of heart failure improved. No recurrence has been noted for 1 year since the operation. A long-term follow-up will be necessary.

Reports of four surgical treatments of acute pulmonary embolism with a floating thrombus in the right atrium.

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a serious disease. Recently, multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has proven to be valuable in detecting APE and deep vein thrombosis. APE is classified as massive, submassive, and nonmassive. The incidence of submassive APE and the number of therapeutic approaches for clinically diagnosed critical submassive APE have both increased. However, most strategies for submassive APE have been conservative, e.g., transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy, and there are few reports on surgical pulmonary embolectomy. We examined the surgical outcomes in four cases of submassive APE with a floating thrombus in the right atrium (RA) from August 2003 to July 2008. All patients appeared to have no neurological complications and showed an event-free survival of up to 65 months (37 ± 25 months). Surgical pulmonary embolectomy was effective for submassive APE with a floating thrombus in the RA.

[Case of primary racemose hemangioma of a bronchial artery with life-threatening hemoptysis].

A 22-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hemoptysis and respiratory insufficiency. The chest roentgenogram and the chest computed tomogram showed infiltrative shadows in the bilateral lower lobes and mediastinal emphysema. On the second day of hospitalization, we performed double lumen endotracheal tube intubations for the repeated life-threatening hemoptysis. Bronchoscope examination revealed normal bronchus with fibrin formation. Bronchial autobiography (BAG) showed a convoluted and enlarged right bronchial artery and bronchial-pulmonary artery shunt. We diagnosed primary racemose hemangioma of a bronchial artery and performed bronchial artery embolism (BAE) of the right upper bronchial artery using coil. There was no reccurence of hemoptysis after BAE procedure. BAE with coil seems to be effective for life-threatening hemoptysis due to racemose hemangioma.

[Perioperative management for cesarean section in a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep venous thrombosis].

It has been estimated in Japan that Western-life style increases maternal mortality because of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). We report a 29-year-old primipara who suffered PTE due to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in her 29th weeks' gestation. Except for slight tachypnea, she was relatively stable. Anticoagulation with heparin was started immediately. The retrievable inferior vena cava filter (IVC-F) was inserted. Four hours before surgery with discontinuation of heparin, the cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia. We used transesophageal echocardiography, a pulmonary artery catheter and end tidal CO2 monitoring for early detection and rapid management of recurrent PTE. She had no trouble during operation and her baby was born without serious symptoms. After recovery from anesthesia, she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Heparin was restarted after confirmation of hemostasis. On the 3rd postoperative day, we started thrombolytic therapy with urokinase which was tapered off during a week. Heparin was switched to warfarine gradually. On the 10th postoperative day, IVC-F could not be removed because of remaining DVT. She was discharged on daily warfarine. We experienced the perioperative management for cesarean section at 29 weeks' gestation following PTE due to DVT.