Intra-arterial locoregional therapies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the 2nd most common primary liver malignancy. For nonsurgical candidates, the primary treatment option is systemic chemotherapy, which can be combined with locoregional therapies to enhance local control. Common intra-arterial locoregional therapies include transarterial hepatic embolization, conventional transarterial chemoembolization, drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres, and hepatic artery infusion. This article aims to review the latest literature on intra-arterial locoregional therapies for treating ICC. AREAS COVERED: A literature search was conducted on PubMed using keywords: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, intra-arterial locoregional therapy, embolization, chemoembolization, radioembolization, hepatic artery infusion, and immunotherapy. Articles from 2008 to 2024 were reviewed. Survival data from retrospective and prospective studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials were evaluated. EXPERT OPINION: Although no level I evidence supports the superiority of any specific intra-arterial therapy, there has been a shift toward favoring radioembolization. In our expert opinion, radioembolization may offer superior outcomes when performed by skilled operators with meticulous planning and personalized dosimetry, particularly for radiation segmentectomy or treating lobar/bilobar disease in appropriate candidates.

Consensus Statement on the Management of Nonthrombotic Iliac Vein Lesions From the VIVA Foundation, the American Venous Forum, and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society.

A nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion is defined as the extrinsic compression of the iliac vein. Symptoms of lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency or pelvic venous disease can develop secondary to nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion. Anatomic compression has been observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Causative factors that lead to symptomatic manifestations remain unclear. To provide guidance for providers treating patients with nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion, the VIVA Foundation convened a multidisciplinary group of leaders in venous disease management with representatives from the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. Consensus statements regarding nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions were drafted by the participants to address patient selection, imaging for diagnosis, technical considerations for stent placement, postprocedure management, and future research/educational needs.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

Status Report on the Integrated and Independent IR Residencies: Origins and Projections for the Future.

The field of interventional radiology (IR) has undergone a historic transformation since 2014, marked by the approval of the IR residency program. This paradigm shift has revolutionized the traditional training pathway, which previously comprised a 1-year vascular and IR fellowship after diagnostic radiology residency. The introduction of integrated and independent IR residencies, including the option for Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR), has reshaped the landscape of IR training. The implementation of the IR residency has been exceptionally successful, with the IR residency continuing to be one of the most sought-after residencies for medical students. Additionally, the option for IR training in diagnostic radiology has been retained, accommodating both ESIR and non-ESIR residents. With the continuous growth of accredited programs and rising popularity of IR as a specialty, the future of IR appears limitless.

Safety and Feasibility of Gun-Sight Technique for Transjugular Intra-hepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) Creation.

PURPOSE: To review technical details, indications for use, success rates and complications of gun-sight technique for transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective review was performed. Forty-two TIPS procedures with gun-sight technique were identified between 2016 and 2021. Eighty-six percent of patients had portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and 21% had undergone prior failed TIPS creation. Demographics, procedure details and outcomes were reviewed. Differences between the groups, event rates and patency rates were evaluated using nonparametric two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test, Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank test. RESULTS: Technical success was 98%. Sixty-seven percent of subjects had transsplenic and 26% had transhepatic access for TIPS creation. Twenty-one adverse events were noted (48%), four of which were definitely related and four were probably related to the use of gun-sight technique. Early (within 90 days) thrombosis occurred in 7/41 patients (17%), all of whom had existing PVT. CONCLUSION: Gun-sight technique for TIPS creation has a high success rate in this challenging cohort of patients. While complications can occur, most of the adverse events noted were likely associated with TIPS creation itself rather than gun-sight. Early thrombosis only occurred in patients with PVT. Level of Evidence Level 4, Case Series.

Balloon-Targeted Extra-Anatomic Sharp Recanalization Technique to Re-establish Supraclavicular Vascular Access.

A balloon-targeted extra-anatomic sharp recanalization (BEST) technique was investigated to re-establish supraclavicular vascular access in patients with central venous occlusion. Query of the authors' institution's database yielded 130 patients who underwent central venous recanalization. Of these, a retrospective review of 5 patients with concurrent thoracic central venous and bilateral internal jugular vein occlusions who underwent sharp recanalization using the BEST technique from May 2018 to August 2022 was performed. Technical success was achieved in all cases without major adverse events. Four (80%) of the 5 patients underwent hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) graft placement using the newly established supraclavicular vascular access.

Delphi Consensus on Reporting Standards in Clinical Studies for Endovascular Treatment of Acute Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis and Chronic Iliofemoral Venous Obstruction.

Acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis and chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction cause substantial patient harm and are increasingly managed with endovascular venous interventions, including percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and stent placement. However, studies of these treatment elements have not been designed and reported with sufficient rigor to support confident conclusions about their clinical utility. In this project, the Trustworthy consensus-based statement approach was utilized to develop, via a structured process, consensus-based statements to guide future investigators of venous interventions. Thirty statements were drafted to encompass major topics relevant to venous study description and design, safety outcome assessment, efficacy outcome assessment, and topics specific to evaluating percutaneous venous thrombectomy and stent placement. Using modified Delphi techniques for consensus achievement, a panel of physician experts in vascular disease voted on the statements and succeeded in reaching the predefined threshold of >80% consensus (agreement or strong agreement) on all 30 statements. It is hoped that the guidance from these statements will improve standardization, objectivity, and patient-centered relevance in the reporting of clinical outcomes of endovascular interventions for acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis and chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction in clinical studies and thereby enhance venous patient care.

Two methodologies of the rendezvous procedure to establish ureteral continuity from a delayed ureteral leak following pelvic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral trauma recognized in the operating theater is managed, for the most part, at the same surgical procedure oftentimes with urologic consultation. A delayed urine leak presents unique problems in that direct access to the site of the leak is not possible except by a reoperative procedure. METHODS: In patients who develop delayed urine leakage following cancer surgery, the leakage may be controlled by the collaborative efforts of a urologist and interventional radiologist. Success depends on placement of a nephroureteral stent by the rendezvous procedure. RESULTS: The sequence of procedures to reestablish ureteral continuity following a delayed leak are important in the successful placement of a nephroureteral stent. In the first methodology, through a percutaneous nephrostomy, a guidewire is placed in the ureter and down to the ureteral defect. The guidewire is then recovered and advanced into the bladder using a ureteroscope and grasping forceps. A nephroureteral stent is placed over the guidewire to bridge the gap and stent the ureteral defect. In the second methodology, the urologist passed a guidewire into the distal ureter, out of the ureteral defect, and into the free peritoneal space. Under fluoroscopic control, the wire loop must snare the ureteral guidewire and pull it out at the percutaneous nephrostomy. The nephroureteral stent is passed over the ureteral wire into the bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Two different methodologies were described to complete the rendezvous procedure. It can be successful a large percentage of the time with a delayed ureteral leakage. Success requires a combined interventional radiology and urologic procedure.

Prospective Study of Radial Artery Occlusion Following Transradial Arterial Access during IR Procedures.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the rate of radial artery occlusion (RAO) in patients undergoing transradial access for intra-arterial interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients undergoing transradial access from August 2019 to March 2021 for 120 intra-arterial procedures (yttrium-90 mapping [n = 39] and radioembolization [n = 38], uterine artery embolization [n = 19], transarterial chemoembolization [n = 10], active bleed embolization [n = 8], angiomyolipoma embolization [n = 4], and other [n = 2]) were enrolled. The average patient age was 59 years ± 13.1 (range, 30-90 years), and 43 (55.8%) of the 77 patients were men. The patients underwent radial artery (RA) palpation, ultrasound evaluation, the Barbeau test, and the reverse Barbeau test prior to and following the intervention. Verapamil, nitroglycerin, and heparin were administered in a total of 114 (95%) of the 120 procedures prior to starting the procedure. The incidence of RAO and radial artery spasm (RAS) was calculated, and univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the predictors of RAS. RESULTS: The preprocedural RA diameter (3.0 mm ± 0.67) was not significantly different from the postprocedural RA diameter (3.0 mm ± 0.65, P = .904). The RAO rate was determined to be 0.8% (1/120), and this artery recanalized within 1 week. Due to the small number of occlusions, statistical analysis of predictors of RAO was not performed. The rate of RAS was 22.7% (27/119). None of the variables tested-including age, sex, RA diameter, initial versus repeat access, operator experience, and artery puncture technique-showed significant prediction for RAS. Patients were seen for follow-up after 111 (92.5%) of the 120 procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial access resulted in a <1% rate of RAO.