Fístula arteriovenosa con elevación de la vena basílica. Reporte de casos / Arteriovenous fistula with basilic vein elevation. Case series

RESUMEN Las fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) se requieren para hemodiálisis permanente. Las recomendaciones de acceso preferidas son radio cefálica, braquiocefálica, braquio-basilica con elevación o transposición y tunelización. El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar la experiencia con la creación de FAV con vena basílica elevada. Entre junio 2017 y marzo 2020, se realizaron trece FAV braquio-basílicas con técnica de elevación de acuerdo al registro de cirugías realizadas por la Unidad, siete hombres y seis mujeres. La edad media fue 65,7 años. En el post operatorio temprano hubo hematomas de antebrazo en dos casos, infección de herida en dos casos, así como un caso de edema. En el periodo de seguimiento, tres no maduraron, y tres pacientes fallecieron; mientras que las FAV restantes aún están funcionando. En conclusión, la FAV braquio-basilica con vena elevada es una alternativa en pacientes que ya han agotado otras opciones.

ABSTRACT Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is necessary for hemodialysis access. The preferred configurations are radial-cephalic, brachial-cephalic, and brachial-basilic with elevation or transposition and tunneling. The purpose of this study was to present our experience for creating arteriovenous fistulae using the elevation of the basilic vein technique. Between June 2017 and March 2020, thirteen brachial-basilic fistulae with elevation of the basilic vein were performed in seven male and six female subjects. Their mean age was 65.7 years. During the early post-op period, there were two cases of forearm hematoma, wound infection in two cases, and edema in one case. During the follow-up period, three fistulae did not have a good progression, and three patients died; the remaining AVFs are still working. In conclusion, brachial-basilic AVF with elevation of the basilic vein is an alternative in patients who have already exhausted other access options.

Outcomes of incisional negative pressure wound therapy following brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula creation: A 1:2 propensity score matched study.

Incisional negative wound pressure therapy (iNPWT) use on closed incisions has been shown to improve wound outcomes, but no studies have evaluated the use of iNPWT following brachiobasilic transposition arteriovenous fistula (BBT-AVF). We aim to investigate the efficacy of iNPWT vs conventional wound therapy in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) for BBT-AVF incisions. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent BBT-AVF creation between January 2010 and December 2017. A 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce selection bias and address for confounding factors. Study outcomes included SSI and haematoma incidence, 30-day readmission, and 30-day mortality. A total of 154 patients were reviewed in this study: 47 (30.5%) had iNPWT and 107 (69.5%) had conventional wound therapy. The overall median age was 60.5 (interquartile range 54-69). PSM with a 1:2 ratio resulted in a total of 117 patients (39 iNPWT and 78 conventional wound therapy). In the unmatched cohort, SSI incidence was lower in the iNPWT group (n = 1/47 [2.1%] vs n = 14/107 [13.1%], P = .035). However, incidence of SSI was comparable between iNPWT and conventional wound therapy after matching (n = 1/39 [2.6%] vs n = 9/78 [11.5%], P = .102). There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission and 30-day mortality. Within our study population of patients with BBT-AVF incisions, there is a non-statistically significant reduction in SSI incidence for patients who received iNPWT as compared with conventional wound therapy. Further prospective randomised controlled studies should be conducted to validate these findings.

Effectiveness of Bidirectional Glenn Shunt Placement for Palliation in Complex Congenitally Corrected Transposed Great Arteries.

Surgery for complex congenitally corrected transposed great arteries is one of the greatest challenges in cardiovascular surgery. We report our experience with bidirectional Glenn shunt placement as a palliative procedure for complex congenitally corrected transposition. We retrospectively identified 50 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with congenitally corrected transposition accompanied by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and ventricular septal defect and who had then undergone palliative bidirectional Glenn shunt placement at our institution from January 2005 through December 2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to subsequent surgeries: Fontan completion (total cavopulmonary connection, 13 patients) (group 1), anatomic repair (hemi-Mustard and Rastelli procedures without Glenn takedown, 11 patients) (group 2), and prolonged palliation (no further surgery, 26 patients) (group 3). After shunt placement, no patient died or had ventricular dysfunction. Overall, mean oxygen saturation increased significantly from 79.5% ± 13.5% preoperatively to 94.1% ± 7.3% (P <0.001). The median time from shunt placement to Fontan completion and anatomic repair, respectively, was 2.1 years (range, 1.6-5.2 yr) and 1.1 years (range, 0.6-2.4 yr). Only 2 late deaths occurred, both in group 1. In group 3, time from shunt placement to latest follow-up was 4.5 years (range, 2.3-8 yr). At latest follow-up, mean oxygen saturation was 91.6% ± 10.3%, and no patients had impaired ventricular function. Bidirectional Glenn shunt placement as an optional palliative procedure for complex congenitally corrected transposition has favorable outcomes. Later, patients can feasibly be treated by Fontan completion or anatomic repair. Use of a bidirectional Glenn shunt for open-ended palliation is also acceptable.

Nursing care with surgical arteriovenous shunt in renal dialysis: a validation study / Cuidado de enfermería con la derivación arteriovenosa quirúrgica en la diálisis renal: estudio de validación / Cuidado de enfermagem com a derivação arteriovenosa cirúrgica na diálise renal: estudo de validação

ABSTRACT Objectives: to validate a care protocol for the monitoring and prevention of arteriovenous fistula complications. Methods: a validation methodological study with a quantitative approach, developed in a university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Results: scientific evidence was gathered from 20 researches. A care protocol was developed, composed of 15 items and divided into 3 sessions. The protocol was validated by a group of 11 experts, obtaining a content validity index of 0.95. Conclusions: the protocol proposes nursing care capable of preventing and monitoring arteriovenous fistula complications, punctured with a traditional technique, taking into account the actions implemented from patients' entry into the machine until the end of therapy.

RESUMEN Objetivos: validar un protocolo asistencial para monitoreo y prevención de complicaciones de fístula arteriovenosa. Métodos: estudio metodológico de validación con abordaje cuantitativo, desarrollado en un hospital universitario de la cuidad de Río de Janeiro. Resultados: se extrajeron evidencias científicas de 20 encuestas. Fue elaborado un protocolo asistencial compuesto por 15 ítems divididos en 3 sesiones. El protocolo fue validado por un grupo de 11 expertos, obteniendo un índice de validez de contenido de 0.95. Conclusiones: el protocolo propone cuidados de enfermería capaces de prevenir y monitorear las complicaciones de la fístula arteriovenosa, puncionada con técnica tradicional, tomando en consideración las acciones implementadas desde la entrada del paciente en la máquina hasta el final de la terapia.

RESUMO Objetivos: validar um protocolo assistencial para monitoramento e prevenção de complicações de fístula arteriovenosa. Métodos: estudo metodológico de validação com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido em um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: foram extraídas evidências científicas de 20 pesquisas. Foi elaborado um protocolo assistencial composto por 15 itens divididos em 3 sessões. O mesmo foi validado por um grupo de 11 especialistas, obtendo um índice de validade de conteúdo de 0.95. Conclusões: o protocolo propõe cuidados de enfermagem capazes de prevenir e monitorar as complicações da fístula arteriovenosa, puncionada com técnica tradicional, levando em consideração as ações implementadas desde a entrada do paciente na máquina até o final da terapia.

Vascular Access for Hemodialysis Patients: New Data Should Guide Decision Making.

This commentary critically examines key assumptions and recommendations in the 2006 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative vascular access guidelines, and argues that several are not relevant to the contemporary United States hemodialysis population. First, the guidelines prefer arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) over arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), on the basis of their superior secondary survival and lower frequency of interventions and infections. However, intent-to-treat analyses that incorporate the higher primary failure of AVFs, demonstrate equivalent secondary survival of both access types. Moreover, the lower rate of AVF versus AVG infections is counterbalanced by the higher rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections before AVF maturation. In addition, AVFs with assisted maturation (interventions before successful AVF use), which account for about 50% of new AVFs, are associated with inferior secondary patency compared with AVGs without intervention before successful use. Second, the guidelines posit lower access management costs for AVFs than AVGs. However, in patients who undergo AVF or AVG placement after starting dialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC), the overall cost of access management is actually higher in patients receiving an AVF. Third, the guidelines prefer forearm over upper arm AVFs. However, published data demonstrate superior maturation of upper arm versus forearm AVFs, likely explaining the progressive increase in upper arm AVFs in the United States. Fourth, AVFs are thought to fail primarily because of aggressive juxta-anastomotic stenosis. However, recent evidence suggests that many AVFs mature despite neointimal hyperplasia, and that suboptimal arterial vasodilation may be an equally important contributor to AVF nonmaturation. Finally, CVC use is believed to result in excess mortality in patients on hemodialysis. However, recent data suggest that CVC use is simply a surrogate marker of sicker patients who are more likely to die, rather than being a mediator of mortality.

Vascular Access Type and Clinical Outcomes among Elderly Patients on Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The optimal type of initial permanent access for hemodialysis among the elderly is controversial. Duration of central venous catheter dependence, patient comorbidities, and life expectancy are important considerations in whether to place an arteriovenous fistula or graft. We used an observational study design to compare clinical outcomes in elderly patients who initiated hemodialysis with a central venous catheter and subsequently had an arteriovenous fistula or graft placed. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We identified 9458 United States patients ages ≥67 years old who initiated hemodialysis from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 with a central venous catheter and no secondary vascular access and then received an arteriovenous fistula (n=7433) or graft (n=2025) within 6 months. We evaluated key clinical outcomes during the 6 months after vascular access placement coincident with high rates of catheter use and used a matched propensity score analysis to examine patient survival. RESULTS: Central venous catheter dependence was greater in every month during the 6-month period after arteriovenous fistula versus graft placement (P<0.001). However, rates of all-cause infection-related hospitalization (adjusted relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.87 to 0.99; P=0.01) and bacteremia/septicemia-related hospitalization (adjusted relative risk, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 0.98; P=0.02) were lower in the arteriovenous fistula versus graft group as was the adjusted risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.73 to 0.80; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite extended central venous catheter dependence, elderly patients initiating hemodialysis with a central venous catheter who underwent arteriovenous fistula placement within 6 months had fewer hospitalizations due to infections and a lower likelihood of death than those receiving an arteriovenous graft.

The Optimal Timing of Stage 2 Palliation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: An Analysis of the Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial Public Data Set.

BACKGROUND: In infants requiring 3-stage single-ventricle palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, attrition after the Norwood procedure remains significant. The effect of the timing of stage 2 palliation (S2P), a physician-modifiable factor, on long-term survival is not well understood. We hypothesized that an optimal interval between the Norwood and S2P that both minimizes pre-S2P attrition and maximizes post-S2P survival exists and is associated with individual patient characteristics. METHODS: The National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial public data set was used. Transplant-free survival (TFS) was modeled from (1) Norwood to S2P and (2) S2P to 3 years by using parametric hazard analysis. Factors associated with death or heart transplantation were determined for each interval. To account for staged procedures, risk-adjusted, 3-year, post-Norwood TFS (the probability of TFS at 3 years given survival to S2P) was calculated using parametric conditional survival analysis. TFS from the Norwood to S2P was first predicted. TFS after S2P to 3 years was then predicted and adjusted for attrition before S2P by multiplying by the estimate of TFS to S2P. The optimal timing of S2P was determined by generating nomograms of risk-adjusted, 3-year, post-Norwood, TFS versus the interval from the Norwood to S2P. RESULTS: Of 547 included patients, 399 survived to S2P (73%). Of the survivors to S2P, 349 (87%) survived to 3-year follow-up. The median interval from the Norwood to S2P was 5.1 (interquartile range, 4.1-6.0) months. The risk-adjusted, 3-year, TFS was 68±7%. A Norwood-S2P interval of 3 to 6 months was associated with greatest 3-year TFS overall and in patients with few risk factors. In patients with multiple risk factors, TFS was severely compromised, regardless of the timing of S2P and most severely when S2P was performed early. No difference in the optimal timing of S2P existed when stratified by shunt type. CONCLUSIONS: In infants with few risk factors, progressing to S2P at 3 to 6 months after the Norwood procedure was associated with maximal TFS. Early S2P did not rescue patients with greater risk factor burdens. Instead, referral for heart transplantation may offer their best chance at long-term survival. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00115934.

Examining the Association between Hemodialysis Access Type and Mortality: The Role of Access Complications.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People receiving hemodialysis to treat kidney failure need a vascular access (a fistula, a graft, or a central venous catheter) to connect to the blood purification machine. Higher rates of access complications are considered the mechanism responsible for the excess mortality observed among catheter or graft users versus fistula users. We tested this hypothesis using mediation analysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We studied incident patients who started hemodialysis therapy from North America, Europe, and Australasia (the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study; 1996-2011). We evaluated the association between access type and time to noninfectious (e.g., thrombosis) and infectious complications of the access (mediator model) and the relationship between access type and time-dependent access complications with 6-month mortality from the creation of the first permanent access (outcome model). In mediation analysis, we formally tested whether access complications explain the association between access type and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 6119 adults that we studied (mean age =64 [SD=15] years old; 58% men; 47% patients with diabetes), 50% had a permanent catheter for vascular access, 37% had a fistula, and 13% had a graft. During the 6-month study follow-up, 2084 participants (34%) developed a noninfectious complication of the access, 542 (8.9%) developed an infectious complication, and 526 (8.6%) died. Access type predicted the occurrence of access complications; both access type and complications predicted mortality. The associations between access type and mortality were nearly identical in models excluding and including access complications (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.55 to 2.58 versus hazard ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 2.59 for catheter versus fistula, respectively). In mediation analysis, higher mortality with catheters or grafts versus fistulas was not the result of increased rates of access complications. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis access complications do not seem to explain the association between access type and mortality. Clinical trials are needed to clarify whether these associations are causal or reflect confounding by underlying disease severity.

Choice of Hemodialysis Access in Older Adults: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although arteriovenous fistulas have been found to be the most cost-effective form of hemodialysis access, the relative benefits of placing an arteriovenous fistula versus an arteriovenous graft seem to be least certain for older adults and when placed preemptively. However, older adults' life expectancy is heterogeneous, and most patients do not undergo permanent access creation until after dialysis initiation. We evaluated cost-effectiveness of arteriovenous fistula placement after dialysis initiation in older adults as a function of age and life expectancy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Using a hypothetical cohort of patients on incident hemodialysis with central venous catheters, we constructed Markov models of three treatment options: (1) arteriovenous fistula placement, (2) arteriovenous graft placement, or (3) continued catheter use. Costs, utilities, and transitional probabilities were derived from existing literature. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed by age group (65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89 years old) and quartile of life expectancy. Costs, quality-adjusted life-months, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were evaluated for up to 5 years. RESULTS: The arteriovenous fistula option was cost effective compared with continued catheter use for all age and life expectancy groups, except for 85-89 year olds in the lowest life expectancy quartile. The arteriovenous fistula option was more cost effective than the arteriovenous graft option for all quartiles of life expectancy among the 65- to 69-year-old age group. For older age groups, differences in cost-effectiveness between the strategies were attenuated, and the arteriovenous fistula option tended to only be cost effective in patients with life expectancy >2 years. For groups for which the arteriovenous fistula option was not cost saving, the cost to gain one quality-adjusted life-month ranged from $2294 to $14,042. CONCLUSIONS: Among older adults, the cost-effectiveness of an arteriovenous fistula placed within the first month of dialysis diminishes with increasing age and lower life expectancy and is not the most cost-effective option for those with the most limited life expectancy.

Effect of contralateral saphenous vein bypass in the treatment of chronic femoral vein obstruction / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To study the feasibility and practicability of contralateral saphenous vein bypass in the treatment of chronic femoral vein obstruction.Methods A retrospective analysis was consisted of 33 patients who received contralateral great saphenous vein bypass during the period of June 2013 to June 2017 in the Deperrtment of Biloary Vascular Surgery of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.All patients after operation were followed up of 2 months deadline to August 2017 by telephone or outpatient,the follow-up content including lower limb activity after resting and subjective sensation,lower limb swelling degree and so on.The measurement data was expressed by mean standard deviation ((x) ± s),paired samples t test was used for comparison among groups.Linear correlation coefficient was used to describe the difference between ankle circumference and the time to maintain anticoagulation therapy after acute thrombosis,then we explored the effect and advantages of this surgical methods.Results Compared with the preoperative index,the activated partial thromboplastin time [(21.93 ± 3.36) svs(18.11 ±2.24)s,P＜0.05],the thrombus elastic map R value[(5.45 ±0.73)min vs(4.20 ± 0.39) min,P ＜ 0.05],the D-dimer [(3 502.79 ± 4 028.02) μg/L vs (5127.76 ± ± 4722.42) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05] and the ankle circumference [(22.23 ± 1.28) cm vs (25.38 ± 0.78) cm,P ＜ 0.05] were improved,and the prothrombin time [(12.63 ± 1.74) s vs (12.32 ± 1.14),P ＞0.05] showed no difference before and after the operation (P ＞ 0.05).With the extension of time,the effect of bypass on the treatment of lower limb edema weakened.Postoperative follow-up indicated that 33 cases of patients were unobstructed and returned to normal state,21 cases could tolerated normal physical activity and had no or mild swelling,12 cases occasional had moderate swelling while the swelling could disappear after lying down for a rest,symmetric of double lower limbs in all patients returned to acceptable degree and did not affect the clothing or appearance.Conclusion The contralateral saphenous vein bypass operation has better effect and less trauma,it can improve the lower limb edema and endogenous coagulation system of chronic obstructive iliac vein disease,and the effect is better after conservative treatment for half a year.

Preoperative Vascular Medial Fibrosis and Arteriovenous Fistula Development.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Arteriovenous fistula maturation requires an increase in the diameter and blood flow of the feeding artery and the draining vein after its creation. The structural properties of the native vessels may affect the magnitude of these changes. We hypothesized that an increase in the collagen content of the vascular media (medial fibrosis) preoperatively would impair vascular dilation and thereby, limit the postoperative increase in arteriovenous fistula diameter and blood flow and clinical arteriovenous fistula maturation. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We enrolled 125 patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula creation between October of 2008 and April of 2012 and followed them prospectively. Any consenting subject was eligible. Arterial and venous specimens were sampled during arteriovenous fistula surgery. Masson's trichrome-stained samples were used to quantify medial fibrosis. Arteriovenous fistula diameter and blood flow were quantified using 6-week postoperative ultrasound. Clinical arteriovenous fistula maturation was assessed using a predefined protocol. The association of preexisting vascular medial fibrosis with arteriovenous fistula outcomes was evaluated after controlling for baseline demographics, comorbidities, and the preoperative venous diameter. RESULTS: The mean medial fibrosis was 69%±14% in the arteries and 63%±12% in the veins. Arterial medial fibrosis was associated with greater increases in arteriovenous fistula diameter (Δdiameter =0.58 mm; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.27 to 0.89 mm; P<0.001) and arteriovenous fistula blood flow (Δblood flow =85 ml/min; 95% CI, 19 to 150 ml/min; P=0.01) and a lower risk of clinical arteriovenous fistula nonmaturation (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.99; P=0.04), all per 10% absolute difference in medial fibrosis. In contrast, venous medial fibrosis was not associated with the postoperative arteriovenous fistula diameter, blood flow, or clinical maturation. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative arterial medial fibrosis was associated with greater arteriovenous fistula diameter and blood flow and a lower risk of clinical arteriovenous fistula nonmaturation. This unexpected observation suggests that medial fibrosis promotes arteriovenous fistula development by yet undefined mechanisms or alternatively, that a third factor promotes both medial fibrosis and arteriovenous fistula maturation.

Right Ventricular Enlargement within Months of Arteriovenous Fistula Creation in 2 Hemodialysis Patients.

Surgically created arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) for hemodialysis can contribute to hemodynamic changes. We describe the cases of 2 male patients in whom new right ventricular enlargement developed after an AVF was created for hemodialysis. Patient 1 sustained high-output heart failure solely attributable to the AVF. After AVF banding and subsequent ligation, his heart failure and right ventricular enlargement resolved. In Patient 2, the AVF contributed to new-onset right ventricular enlargement, heart failure, and ascites. His severe pulmonary hypertension was caused by diastolic heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. His right ventricular enlargement and heart failure symptoms did not improve after AVF ligation. We think that our report is the first to specifically correlate the echocardiographic finding of right ventricular enlargement with AVF sequelae. Clinicians who treat end-stage renal disease patients should be aware of this potential sequela of AVF creation, particularly in the upper arm. We recommend obtaining preoperative echocardiograms in all patients who will undergo upper-arm AVF creation, so that comparisons can be made postoperatively. Alternative consideration should be given to creating the AVF in the radial artery, because of less shunting and therefore less potential for right-sided heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. A multidisciplinary approach is optimal when selecting patients for AVF banding or ligation.

Two Cases of Transcatheter Closure of Central Aortopulmonary Shunts: One with an Amplatzer Duct Occluder II and One with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug I.

When total correction is not possible in infants who have a cyanotic congenital heart disease, creation of a palliative aortopulmonary shunt is essential. A central aortopulmonary shunt is preferable, because of its technical and hemodynamic advantages. Overcirculation, thrombosis, and stenosis of the shunt are the main postoperative sequelae that necessitate urgent reintervention. Percutaneous transcatheter closure of aortopulmonary shunts can eliminate the need for reoperation and substantially decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. We report our successful transcatheter closures of central aortopulmonary shunts in a 3-month-old infant and a 15-year-old girl, with use of an Amplatzer Duct Occluder II and an Amplatzer Vascular Plug I, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the transcatheter closure of central aortopulmonary shunts with these 2 devices.

Treatment of hemodialysis vascular access rupture irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade: retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of N-butyl cyanoacrylate seal-off technique.

OBJECTIVE: The current study retrospectively evaluated whether the percutaneous N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) seal-off technique is an effective treatment for controlling the angioplasty-related ruptures, which are irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for failed or failing hemodialysis vascular accesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 1588 interventions performed during a 2-year period for dysfunction and/or failed hemodialysis vascular access sites in 1569 patients. For the angioplasty-related ruptures, which could not be controlled with repeated prolonged balloon tamponade, the rupture sites were sealed off with an injection of a glue mixture (NBCA and lipiodol), via a needle/needle sheath to the rupture site, under a sonographic guidance. Technical success rate, complications and clinical success rate were reported. The post-seal-off primary and secondary functional patency rates were calculated by a survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Twenty ruptures irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade occurred in 1588 interventions (1.3%). Two technical failures were noted; one was salvaged with a bailout stent-graft insertion and the other was lost after access embolization. Eighteen accesses (90.0%) were salvaged with the seal-off technique; of them, 16 ruptures were completely sealed off, and two lesions were controlled as acute pseudoaneurysms. Acute pseudoaneurysms were corrected with stentgraft insertion in one patient, and access ligation in the other. The most significant complication during the follow-up was delayed pseudoaneurysm, which occurred in 43.8% (7 of 16) of the completely sealed off accesses. Delayed pseudoaneurysms were treated with surgical revision (n = 2), access ligation (n = 2) and observation (n = 3). During the follow-up, despite the presence of pseudoaneurysms (acute = 1, delayed = 7), a high clinical success rate of 94.4% (17 of 18) was achieved, and they were utilized for hemodialysis at the mean of 411.0 days. The post-seal-off primary patency vs. secondary patency at 90, 180 and 360 days were 66.7 ± 11.1% vs. 94.4 ± 5.4%; 33.3 ± 11.1% vs. 83.3 ± 8.8%; and 13.3 ± 8.5% vs. 63.3 ± 12.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the NBCA seal-off technique is effective for immediate control of a venous rupture irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for hemodialysis accesses. Both high technical and clinical success rates can be achieved. However, the treatment is not durable, and about 40% of the completely sealed off accesses are associated with developed delayed pseudoaneurysms in a 2-month of follow-up. Further repair of the vascular tear site, with surgery or stent-graft insertion, is often necessary.

Treatment of Hemodialysis Vascular Access Rupture Irresponsive to Prolonged Balloon Tamponade: Retrospective Evaluation of the Effectiveness of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Seal-Off Technique

OBJECTIVE: The current study retrospectively evaluated whether the percutaneous N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) seal-off technique is an effective treatment for controlling the angioplasty-related ruptures, which are irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for failed or failing hemodialysis vascular accesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 1588 interventions performed during a 2-year period for dysfunction and/or failed hemodialysis vascular access sites in 1569 patients. For the angioplasty-related ruptures, which could not be controlled with repeated prolonged balloon tamponade, the rupture sites were sealed off with an injection of a glue mixture (NBCA and lipiodol), via a needle/needle sheath to the rupture site, under a sonographic guidance. Technical success rate, complications and clinical success rate were reported. The post-seal-off primary and secondary functional patency rates were calculated by a survival analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Twenty ruptures irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade occurred in 1588 interventions (1.3%). Two technical failures were noted; one was salvaged with a bailout stent-graft insertion and the other was lost after access embolization. Eighteen accesses (90.0%) were salvaged with the seal-off technique; of them, 16 ruptures were completely sealed off, and two lesions were controlled as acute pseudoaneurysms. Acute pseudoaneurysms were corrected with stentgraft insertion in one patient, and access ligation in the other. The most significant complication during the follow-up was delayed pseudoaneurysm, which occurred in 43.8% (7 of 16) of the completely sealed off accesses. Delayed pseudoaneurysms were treated with surgical revision (n = 2), access ligation (n = 2) and observation (n = 3). During the follow-up, despite the presence of pseudoaneurysms (acute = 1, delayed = 7), a high clinical success rate of 94.4% (17 of 18) was achieved, and they were utilized for hemodialysis at the mean of 411.0 days. The post-seal-off primary patency vs. secondary patency at 90, 180 and 360 days were 66.7 +/- 11.1% vs. 94.4 +/- 5.4%; 33.3 +/- 11.1% vs. 83.3 +/- 8.8%; and 13.3 +/- 8.5% vs. 63.3 +/- 12.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the NBCA seal-off technique is effective for immediate control of a venous rupture irresponsive to prolonged balloon tamponade, during interventions for hemodialysis accesses. Both high technical and clinical success rates can be achieved. However, the treatment is not durable, and about 40% of the completely sealed off accesses are associated with developed delayed pseudoaneurysms in a 2-month of follow-up. Further repair of the vascular tear site, with surgery or stent-graft insertion, is often necessary.

Utilização da técnica do varal para angioplastia de estenose de veia central com stent-graft / Utilization of the through-and-through technique for central vein angioplasty using stent-graft

A estenose de veia central é uma das situações mais frequentes em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise. A angioplastia com o uso de stent-graft tem obtido bons resultados nestes casos. O sistema de liberação dos stents é de calibre maior, podendo dificultar sua navegabilidade em áreas de estenose ou tortuosidade acentuadas. A técnica do varal é comumente utilizada para o tratamento endovascular do aneurisma de aorta, permitindo atingir bom mecanismo de estiramento e facilitando a navegação do sistema de entrega da endoprótese. Descrevemos o caso de uma angioplastia de veia central com stent-graft na qual foi utilizada a técnica do varal para permitir a transposição da área de estenose.

The central vein stenosis is one of the most common conditions in patients with chronic kidney failure in a hemodialysis program. In these cases, angioplasty using stent-grafts has obtained good results. The stent-graft delivery system is generally of large diameter what can hinder its navigability in very severe stenosis or tortuosities. The through-and-through technique is commonly used for endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms, making possible to achieve a good mechanism of stretch and easy navigation of the endograft delivery system. We report a case of a central venous stenosis in wich a stent-graft was inserted using the through-and-through technique in order to cross the lesion.

Endomyocardial fibrosis mimicking Ebstein's anomaly: a diagnostic challenge.

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a rare disease that is seen most commonly in tropical countries. It usually presents with characteristics of right-heart failure. Herein, we report the case of a 14-year-old adolescent boy who experienced endomyocardial fibrosis. Upon transthoracic echocardiography, the condition was mistakenly diagnosed as Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Sixteen months after undergoing tricuspid annuloplasty and receiving a bidirectional Glenn shunt, the patient showed no echocardiographic evidence of valvular regurgitation. We discuss imaging and surgical techniques that enable the diagnosis and treatment of endomyocardial fibrosis.