Institutional trends over a decade in catheter-directed interventions for pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Catheter-directed interventions (CDIs) are commonly performed for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The evolving catheter types and treatment algorithms impact the use and outcomes of these interventions. This study aimed to investigate the changes in CDI practice and their impact on outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent CDIs for PE between 2010 and 2019 at a single institution were identified from a prospectively maintained database. A PE team was launched in 2012, and in 2014 was established as an official Pulmonary Embolism Response Team. CDI annual use trends and clinical failures were recorded. Clinical success was defined as physiologic improvement in the absence of major bleeding, perioperative stroke or other procedure-related adverse event, decompensation for submassive or persistent shock for massive PE, the need for surgical thromboembolectomy, or death. Major bleeding was defined as requiring a blood transfusion, a surgical intervention, or suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: There were 372 patients who underwent a CDI for acute PE during the study period with a mean age of 58.9 ± 15.4 years; there were males 187 (50.3%) and 340 patients has a submassive PE (91.4%). CDI showed a steep increase in the early Pulmonary Embolism Response Team years, peaking in 2016 with a subsequent decrease. Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis was the predominant CDI technique peaking at 84% of all CDI in 2014. Suction thrombectomy use peaked at 15.2% of CDI in 2019. The mean alteplase dose with catheter thrombolysis techniques decreased from 26.8 ± 12.5 mg in 2013 to 13.9 ± 7.5 mg in 2019 (P < .001). The mean lysis time decreased from 17.2 ± 8.3 hours in 2013 to 11.3 ± 8.2 hours in 2019 (P < .001). Clinical success for the massive and the submassive PE cohorts was 58.1% and 91.2%, respectively; the major bleed rates were 25.0% and 5.3%. There were two major clinical success peaks, one in 2015 mirroring our technical learning curve and one in 2019 mirroring our patient selection learning curve. The clinical success decrease in 2018 was primarily derived from blood transfusions owing to acute blood loss during suction thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: CDIs for acute PE have rapidly evolved with high success rates. Multidisciplinary approaches among centers with appropriate expertise are advisable for the safe and successful implementation of catheter interventions.

Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy.

Surgical pulmonary embolectomy has a storied history in the domain of cardiothoracic surgery. This article provides insight on the history, current data, and future directions of surgical pulmonary embolectomy.

Construyendo la historia de la cirugía endovascular / Creating the history of endovascular surgery

Se relata la aparición de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva y dentro de ella la técnicas endovasculares, en relación con la evolución sociocultural de las relaciones médico-paciente desde la era del llamado paternalismo médico hasta que una vez aparecidos los derechos humanos y los derechos de los enfermos, estos pasan a tener autonomía sobre su salud y la técnicas diagnósticas y terapéuticas que reciben. Finalmente se relata brevemente la historia de las técnicas endovasculares y se propone formalmente el nombre de Cirugía Endovascular para englobarlas y se hacen unas consideraciones finales sobre la actual tecnolatría hacia el desarrollo tecnológico que conllevan (AU)

The appearance of minimally invasive surgery, and within it, the endovascular techniques, in relation to the sociocultural evolution of the doctor-patient relationship from the era of the so-called medical paternalism that, once the human rights and the rights of the patients came on the scene, patients gained freedom as regards their health, diagnosis and therapeutic techniques they receive. Finally, the history of endovascular techniques is briefly described, and the name Endovascular Surgery is formally proposed to include these. Finally, some thoughts are expressed on the current technolatry and the technological developments they entail (AU)

Trends in Treatment and Mortality for Mesenteric Ischemia in the United States from 2000 to 2012.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether increased endovascular treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia has led to decreases in open surgery, acute mesenteric ischemia, or overall mortality. The present study evaluates the trends in endovascular and open treatment over time for chronic and acute mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: We identified patients with chronic or acute mesenteric ischemia in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Center for Disease Control and Prevention database from 2000 to 2012. Trends in revascularization, mortality, and total deaths were evaluated over time. Data were adjusted to account for population growth. RESULTS: There were 14,810 revascularizations for chronic mesenteric ischemia (10,453 endovascular and 4,358 open) and 11,294 revascularizations for acute mesenteric ischemia (4,983 endovascular and 6,311 open). Endovascular treatment increased for both chronic (0.6-4.5/million, P < 0.01) and acute mesenteric ischemia (0.6-1.8/million, P < 0.01). However, concurrent declines in open surgery did not occur (chronic: 1-1.1/million, acute: 1.8-1.7/million). Among patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, the proportion with atrial fibrillation (18%) and frequency of embolectomy (1/million per year) remained stable. In-hospital mortality rates decreased for both endovascular (chronic: 8-3%, P < 0.01; acute: 28-17%, P < 0.01) and open treatment (chronic: 21-9%, P < 0.01; acute: 40-25%, P < 0.01). Annual population-based mortality remained stable for chronic mesenteric ischemia (0.7-0.6 deaths per million/year), but decreased for acute mesenteric ischemia (12.9-5.3 deaths per million/year, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Population mortality from acute mesenteric ischemia declined from 2000 to 2012, correlated with dramatic increases in endovascular intervention for chronic mesenteric ischemia, and in spite of a stable rate of embolization. However, open surgery for both chronic and acute ischemia remained stable.

Contemporary Management of Acute Aortic Occlusion Has Evolved but Outcomes Have Not Significantly Improved.

BACKGROUND: Most existing series of acute aortic occlusion (AAO) predate the changes in surgical and endovascular therapy of the last 2 decades. We examined the contemporary management and outcomes of AAO. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive patients with AAO at a tertiary referral center from 2004 to 2012. Outcomes were stratified and compared according to etiology and procedure performed. RESULTS: AAO in 29 patients was due to in situ thrombosis in 21 (72%) and embolism in 8 (28%) patients. Vascular patients with embolism were on average older (77 ± 7 vs. 66 ± 12 years, P = 0.02) and had higher rates of atrial fibrillation (100% vs. 20%, P = 0.0002) and congestive heart failure (75% vs. 0%, P = 0.0001) in comparison with those with in situ thrombosis. Neurologic deficit was present in 16 (55%) patients. Six patients (21%) presented with bilateral paresis/paralysis secondary to spinal cord or lumbosacral plexus ischemia, and primary neurologic etiology was investigated before vascular consultation was obtained in 4 of these 6 patients. Of the 29 patients, 28 (97%) underwent revascularization including transfemoral embolectomy (n = 6), transperitoneal aortoiliac thrombectomy (n = 2), axillobifemoral bypass (n = 10), aortobifemoral bypass (n = 6), and endovascular therapy including thrombolysis, angioplasty ± stenting (n = 4). In-hospital mortality was 31% and did not vary significantly according to etiology (embolism 38% vs. in situ thrombosis 29%, P = 0.67). In-hospital mortality varied widely according to procedure (transfemoral embolectomy 50%, aortoiliac thrombectomy 100%, axillobifemoral bypass 30%, aortobifemoral bypass 0%, and endovascular therapy 25%, P = 0.08). Major morbidity (59%), length of stay (8.6 ± 8.0 days), and discharge to a rehabilitation facility (50%) did not vary by etiology or procedure. At a media follow-up of 361 ± 460 days (range 3-2014), overall survival was 42%. There were no amputations among 20 survivors of initial hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: AAO is now more commonly caused by in situ thrombosis rather than embolism. A high index of suspicion for AAO is required for prompt diagnosis and treatment, particularly when patients present with profound lower extremity neurologic deficit. In comparison with previous reports, the contemporary management of AAO includes increased use of axillobifemoral bypass and now involves endovascular revascularization, although a variety of open surgical procedures are utilized. However, the in-hospital mortality and morbidity of AAO has not decreased significantly over the last 2 decades and mid-term survival remains limited. Further study is required to identify strategies that improve outcomes after AAO.

Does the use of IV tPA in the current era of rapid and predictable recanalization by mechanical embolectomy represent good value?

As healthcare delivery in the USA transforms into a model that at its core requires value-based considerations, ischemic stroke is confronted by intersecting forces. Modern techniques allow rapid revascularization in the majority of patients with large vessel occlusions. Dramatic advances in the evidentiary basis for mechanical embolectomy are increasing the number of patients treated with this therapy. A key part of the therapeutic arsenal in many patients treated with interventional techniques has been concurrent intravenous thrombolysis. We consider whether this paradigm warrants change.

[Embolism of the aortic bifurcation and major arteries of limbs: lessons of the past and present-day trends in solving the problem concerned].

The works deals with a retrospective analysis of the medical records of the Clinic of General Surgery of the North-West State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov on treatment of patients presenting with embolism of the aorta and major arteries over 40 years. All in all, over the period from 1971 to 2010 a total of 3,110 patients with embolism of the aorta and major arteries underwent consultations and were operated on. To the present-day trends in surgery of embologenic arterial obstruction one should first of all refer a decrease in the number of patients with embolism of the aorta and major arteries of the limbs, which may be related to achievement in modern cardiology and cardiosurgery in treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases - potential sources of arterial embolism. Besides, there occurred considerable changes in the structure of embologenic diseases, in favour of an increased number of people suffering from CAD, which to e certain degree modified the incidence of lesions of various vascular basins. Thus, the number of embolisms of proximal portions of the vascular bed decreased considerably. This is largely related to a decrease in the number of patients presenting with decompensated ischaemia of extremities. 86.9% of patients were subjected to emergency operations. An increased number of people with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries required widening of indications for performing reconstructive-and-plastic operative interventions. Experience of the Clinic shows that a timely performed revascularizing operation, including a reconstructive on, application of modern methods of prevention of ischaemic syndrome, carrying out comprehensive rehabilitation measures in the postoperative period made it possible to considerably improve the immediate results of treatment. While during the first 20 years a total lethality rate amounted to 18.8% with the postoperative one equalling 17.1%, these parameters over the past 10 years were 8.8% and 6.9%, respectively.

Current status and trends in the treatment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Untreated acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) is associated with high mortality, which is reduced by prompt treatment. Anticoagulation is fundamental in the treatment of APTE and should be initiated from suspicion. The efficacy and safety of novel anticoagulant drugs, such as oral anti-Xa and anti-IIa inhibitors, are topics in the treatment of APTE and are now under investigation. Thrombolytic therapy is a widely accepted treatment strategy for massive APTE, but its use for submassive APTE is controversial. Catheter intervention, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support and surgical embolectomy are also necessary and effective for some patients with APTE. A retrievable inferior vena cava filter is preferred for transient protection against APTE. Some studies have demonstrated the feasibility of outpatient treatment in patients with APTE after risk stratification.

Pseudoaneurisma de arteria ilíaca externa tras artroplastia total de cadera / External iliac artery pseudoaneurysm following total hip replacement

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Trombo en la aorta torácica como causa de embolismo periférico / Thrombus in the thoracic aorta as the cause of a peripheral embolism

Introducción. Los embolismos originados sobre aortas aparentemente sanas son una causa extremadamenterara de isquemia de miembros inferiores (MMII). Presentamos el caso de un trombo pedunculado formado sobre unaaorta torácica descendente normal, causante de embolismos periféricos que provocaron isquemia aguda en ambosMMII. Caso clínico. Mujer de 46 años de edad, con historia de 6 meses de evolución de dolor y frialdad en ambos MMII.Tras la exploración clínica se le realizó una angiotomografía, donde se observó una trombosis ilíaca bilateral con existenciade trombos en el sector de la aorta yuxtadiafragmática. Se decidió intervenir a la paciente de urgencia dada la isquemiaque presentaba, mediante una embolectomía de ambos MMII y con la colocación de una endoprótesis en la aortatorácica. Conclusión. Los trombos flotantes en la aorta torácica son una patología extremadamente rara. Describimosaquí un caso tratado satisfactoriamente mediante la colocación de una endoprótesis, que muestra cómo la cirugía endovascularpuede ser una aproximación mínimamente invasiva y totalmente efectiva para el tratamiento de esta patología

Introduction. Embolisms that have their origin in apparently healthy aortas are an extremely rare cause ofischaemia of the lower limbs. We report the case of a pedunculated thrombus that had formed over a normal descendingthoracic aorta, which caused peripheral embolisms that gave rise to acute ischaemia in both lower limbs. Case report. A46-year-old female with a 6-month history of pain and coldness in both lower limbs. Following the clinical examination,a tomography angiography scan was performed, which revealed the presence of bilateral iliac thrombosis with theexistence of thrombi in the region of the juxtadiaphragmatic aorta. Due to the ischaemia that was observed, the decisionwas taken to perform an emergency operation involving embolectomy in both lower limbs and with the placement of astent in the thoracic aorta. Conclusion. Thrombi floating in the thoracic aorta represent an extremely rare pathology.Here we report a case that was treated satisfactorily by placement of a stent, which shows that endovascular surgery canbe a minimally invasive and totally effective approach in the treatment of this pathology

Design and development of mechanical embolic protection devices.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is rapidly becoming an acceptable alternative to carotid endarterectomy in many patients. Much of the success of CAS is credited to advances in equipment dedicated to this minimally invasive approach. Lower profile delivery systems, tapered stent designs and most importantly, development of mechanical cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) have contributed to a reduction in periprocedural neurological complications that now rival results of carotid endarterectomy. Despite a lack of level one evidence in support of EPDs, a meta-analysis as well as two recent institutional reports of CAS with and without EPDs suggest a reduced stroke risk when a mechanical protection device is incorporated as part of the procedure. Since the original description by Theron and colleagues, embolic protection systems are markedly improved in ease of use and effectiveness. The three primary groups of EPDs are distal balloon occlusion, distal filtration and proximal occlusion. Although the ideal EPD has yet to materialize, this review provides insight into current design systems and the accompanying strengths and weaknesses of each.