Modified Bova score for risk stratification and short-term outcome in acute pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: Risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial to identify those patients with a poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate a modified Bova score for risk stratification in acute PE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of PE patients treated in the internal medicine department. Both haemodynamically stable and unstable PE patients, ≥ 18 years with measurements of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and existing echocardiography were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Data from 130 patients were included for this retrospective analysis. Three patients (2.3%) died in hospital; 84 patients had a Bova score of < 4 points and 46 ≥ 4 points. PE patients with a score ≥ 4 points were older (71.2 ± 13.8 vs. 66.3 ± 15.5 years, p = 0.0733), died more frequently during the in-hospital course (6.5% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.0183), had a more prevalent high-risk PE status (10.9% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.0122), more often had right ventricular dysfunction (100.0% vs. 35.7%, p < 0.000001), presented more frequently with syncope/collapse (21.7% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.00101) and had a higher heart rate (104.6 ± 23.5 vs. 90.0 ± 20.6/min, p = 0.000143), shock index (0.91 ± 0.59 vs. 0.62 ± 0.18, p = 0.000232), cTnI (0.36 ± 0.42 vs. 0.03± 0.10ng/ml, p < 0.000001) and creatinine (1.32 ± 0.50 vs. 1.03 ± 0.27 mg/dl, p = 0.000170). Adjusted multivariate logistic regressions revealed significant associations between the Bova score and in-hospital death (OR 4.172, 95% CI 1.125-15.464, p = 0.0326) as well as pneumonia based on PE-related lung infarction (OR 1.207, 95% CI 1.005-1.449, p = 0.0442). ROC analysis for Bova score predicting in-hospital death and pneumonia based on PE-related lung infarction showed area under the curve values of 0.908 and 0.606 with Bova score cut-off values of 3.5 points and 1.5 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Bova score is highly effective to predict poorer outcome in acute PE.

Cardiac troponin I for predicting right ventricular dysfunction and intermediate risk in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are important tools for risk stratification in pulmonary embolism (PE). We investigate the association of RVD and cTnI in normotensive PE patients and calculate a cTnI cut-off level for predicting RVD and submassive PE. METHODS: Clinical, laboratory, radiological and echocardiagraphic data were analysed. Patients were categorised into groups with or without RVD and compared focussing on cTnI. Effectiveness of cTnI for predicting RVD and submassive PE was tested. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine normotensive PE patients, 71 with and 58 without RVD, were included. Patients with RVD were older (75.0 years (61.3/81.0) vs. 66.0 years (57.7/75.1), P = 0.019). cTnI (0.06 ng/ml (0.02/0.23) vs. 0.01 ng/ml (0.00/0.03), P < 0.0001) and D-dimer values (2.00 mg/l (1.08/4.05) vs. 1.23 mg/l (0.76/2.26), P = 0.016) were higher in PE with RVD. cTnI was associated with RVD (OR 3.95; 95 % CI 1.95-8.02, p = 0.00014). AUC for cTnI diagnosing RVD was 0.79, and for submassive PE0.87. Cut-off values for cTnI predicting RVD and submassive PE were 0.01 ng/ml, with a negative predictive value of 73 %. cTnI was positively correlated with age, D-dimer and creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: In normotensive PE patients, cTnI is helpful for risk stratification and excluding RVD. cTnI elevation is correlated with increasing age and reduced kidney function.

[Gender-specific differences in hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism]. / Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede bei hämodynamisch stabilen Patienten mit akuter Lungenarterienembolie.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is potentially life-threatening. Aim of this study was to identify genderspecific differences in acute PE and in risk stratification of hemodynamically stable PE patients. METHODS: We analysed retrospectively the data of 129 patients with PE (59.7% women) and compared female and male patients regarding clinical, laboratory and technical parameters. ROC curve and Youden Index were calculated to analyse cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for predicting of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and D-Dimer for predicting submassive PE. RESULTS: 129 patients were included in this study. Female patients were older (median 73.0 [25th percentile: 65.0/75th percentile: 81.0] vs. 65.5 [55.2/76.6] years, p = 0.0095) and had more frequent submassive PE (82.7% vs. 64.0%, p = 0.03) with higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure (38.00 ±â€Š18.23 vs. 27.87 ±â€Š17.32 mmHg, p = 0.0018). Multivariable regression analysis showed a strong association between cTnI and RVD (OR, 2.84; 95%CI: 1.52-5.32, p = 0.0011). Association between cTnI and RVD was stronger in male PE patients (OR, 27.67; 95%CI: 3.28-233.31, p = 0.0023) than in female (OR, 1.52; 95%CI: 0.79-2.93, p = 0.21). Area under the curve (AUC) for efficiency of cTnI predicting RVD was higher in male patients (0.92 vs. 0.69). AUC for efficiency of D-Dimer predicting submassive PE was similar in both genders (0.65 vs. 0.62). Genderspecific cTnI cut-off values indicating for RVD, were similar in male and female (> 0.00 vs. > 0.01 ng/ml). D-Dimer values above 1.08 mg/dl in male and 1.41 mg/dl in female indicated for submassive PE. CONCLUSION: Normotensive female PE patients are in mean older and have more frequently submassive PE stadium. cTnI is associated with RVD. cTnI as risk stratification marker for predicting RVD is more effective in male.

Percutaneous interventions below the knee in patients with critical limb ischemia using drug eluting stents.

AIM: Midterm technical and clinical evaluation of stent angioplasty with drug-eluting stents in infrapopliteal lesions in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: Percutaneous stent angioplasty was performed in 128 limbs in 114 patients presenting with 320 vascular lesions. Lesions with up to 6 cm in length and at least one patent vessel below the obstruction were treated; 341 drug-eluting Cypher(R) stents (diameter of 2.5-3.5 mm; length of 18-33 mm) were implanted. Follow-up examinations were performed up to 18 months postinterventionally using clinical examination, ankle-brachial index (ABI) calculation, and color coded Duplex sonography. Patency rates were calculated on the basis of the Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 99.06%. Minor complications (hematoma, distal emboli, and vessel dissection) were documented in 8.77% of the patients. The 6, 12, and 18 months primary patency rate as controlled by Duplex sonography was 89.8, 84.2 and 83.3%, respectively; 77.6% of the lesions healed postinterventionally. The cumulative limb salvage rate was 95.6%. CONCLUSION: Drug-eluting stent (DES) angioplasty in infrapopliteal arteries is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of patients with CLI. The use of a DES results in favorable technical and clinical outcome in the midterm follow-up.

[Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma: technique, indication and results]. / Transarterielle Chemoembolisation (TACE) des hepatozellulären Karzinoms: Technik, Indikationsstellung und Ergebnisse.

UNLABELLED: To present current data on technique, indications and results of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The principle of TACE is the intra-arterial injection of chemotherapeutic drug combinations like doxorubicin, cisplatin and mitomycin into the hepatic artery, followed by lipiodol injection, Gelfoam for vessel occlusion and degradable microspheres. The side effects and complications after TACE range from fever, upper abdominal pain and vomiting to acute or chronic liver cell failure. The palliative effect in unresectable HCC using TACE allows local tumor control in 15 to 60% of cases and 5-year survival rates ranging from 8-43%. The potentially curative treatment option allows local tumor control from 18-63%. The neoadjuvant treatment option of TACE in combination with other treatment options like percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) reach local tumor control rates between 80-96%. The bridging effect of TACE before liver transplantation reaches 5-year survival rates from 59-93%. The symptomatic therapy option of TACE is used to counteract pain directly caused by HCC and acute/subacute bleeding in the HCC. The local tumor response reaches up to 88% and the bleeding control is from 83 to 100%. CONCLUSION: TACE is a potentially curative, palliative, neoadjuvant, bridging and symptomatic therapy option for local and diffuse HCC.

[Transarterial chemoperfusion of the pelvis--results in symptomatic locally recurrent tumors and lymph node metastases]. / Transarterielle Chemoperfusion des Beckens--Ergebnisse bei symptomatischen Rezidivtumoren und Lymphknotenmetastasen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate local transarterial chemoperfusion (TACP) of therapy-resistant, locally recurrent malignant tumors and lymph node metastases in the pelvis with respect to clinical response, tumor response and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2005, 24 outpatients (median age 56.5 years, range 33-82) were treated with 128 TACPs (min. 3; mean 5 sess/patient) in 4-week intervals. Depending on the tumor location and vascularization, a fluoroscopy catheter was placed either in the abdominal aorta or internal pelvic artery. A combination of mitomycin C (6 mg/m (2)) and gemcitabine (1500 mg/m (2)) was administered over 60 minutes. The tumor size was measured using CT or MRI. The radiological response was classified according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) as "complete response" (CR), "partial response" (PR), "stable disease" (SD) and "progressive disease" (PD). The clinical response was classified as "response (clinical)" if the symptoms improved distinctly, "stable disease (clinical)" if complaints were stabilized, and "progression (clinical)" if symptoms deteriorated or new symptoms appeared. After the third TACP, patients were evaluated for clinical and radiological response. In the case of clinical and radiological progression, therapy was stopped and the patient was referred to the hospital's tumor board. In the case of radiological response and clinical progression or clinical response and radiological progression, therapy was continued. Therapy could be stopped by the patient at any time. RESULTS: Treatment was tolerated well by all patients. No clinically relevant problems and no grade III or IV toxicity according to CTC (Common Toxicity Criteria) appeared. Tumor-related pain, bleeding, restricted mobility of the lower extremities, incontinence, urinary tract obstruction, and constipation were reduced in 9/17, 5/6, 3/3, 1/3, 2/5, and 1/3 of cases (clinical response rate: 54%). Radiologically, 4/24 (17%) patients showed PR, 12/24 (50%) SD, and 8/24 (34%) PD (tumor control (PR+SD): 67% of cases). Tumor response (median survival since first TACP) was as follows: colorectal: 2 PR, 7 SD, 2 PD (11.5 months), ovarian: 1 SD, 2 PD (8.5 mon), cervical: 1 PR, 1 SD (6 mon), breast: 2 SD (6 mon), gastric: 1 PD (11 mon), adrenal gland: 1 PD (12 mon), anal: 1 PD (10 mon), prostate: 1 PD (20 mon), Gartner's duct: 1 PR (20 mon), renal cell carcinoma: 1 SD (10 mon). CONCLUSION: Since tumor-related complaints were improved in 54% of the cases and control of tumor growth (PR+SD) was achieved in 67% of the cases, TACP for recurrent pelvic malignancies should be considered as a palliative oncological treatment option.

False aneurysm of the left femoral artery and thrombosis of the left femoral vein after total hip arthroplasty.

We report a 75-year-old male patient with an aneurysm of the left femoral artery after cemented total hip arthroplasty. Two months after the operation, the patient showed a spherical resistance and pain in the left groin. Examination showed a big false aneurysm of the left femoral artery. After resection of the aneurysm, an endovascular stent graft vessel prosthesis was implanted. The aneurysm originated from a punctual lesion of the artery caused by a screw. Since the first description of vessel lesions in orthopaedic surgery in 1964, a total of 24 cases of aneurysm in hip surgery have been described. Therefore, a review of literature tries to explain causes and mechanisms of vessel injuries in hip surgery and the possibilities of repair.

[Nucleolysis in the herniated disk]. / Nukleolyse beim Bandscheibenvorfall.

Back pain associated with a herniated disk has become an important and increasing general health problem in Germany and other industrialized countries. After all methods of conservative treatment have been exhausted, nucleolysis may be a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. In nucleolysis, chondrolytic substances or other substances, which reduce the pressure within the disk by other means, are injected into the nucleus pulposus under CT guidance. Among various substances, which have been employed for nucleolysis, an ozone-oxygen mixture appears to be very promising. The water-binding capacity of ozone results in a reduction of pain for several months. Moreover, it has an anti-inflammatory effect and results in an increase of perfusion. Ozone is converted into pure oxygen in the body and has a low allergic potential. Recent minimally invasive therapeutic methods such as percutaneous nucleotomy or laser treatment do not result in superior results compared with nucleolysis.

Improved cerebral protection through replacement of residual intracavital air by carbon dioxide: a porcine model using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Major risk of central or peripheral organ damage is attributed to air embolism from incompletely de-aired cardiac chambers after cardiac operations. Replacement of air by carbon dioxide insufflation into the thoracic cavity is widely used. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain detects ischemia within minutes after onset. The reversibility of ischemia in cerebral tissue after massive gaseous emboli has not yet been described. METHODS: After selective catheterization of a common carotid artery in 15 pigs, boli of 1 mL/kg body weight of air (n = 5) or carbon dioxide (n = 5, "low dose") were applied. Five pigs received 2 mL/kg body weight of carbon dioxide ("high dose"). Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed 2, 5, 10, 15, and 25 minutes after embolization. RESULTS: All animals of the "air" group showed important circulatory reactions leading to death of 2 animals. In the whole group, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed irreversible hyperintense signals in both hemispheres. In the low-dose group, no change in signal intensity was observed in 2 pigs, and 3 others showed reversible changes in signal intensity, without important circulatory reactions. In 3 animals of the high-dose group, hyperintense signals were reversible, but 2 others presented with bilateral, irreversible signals in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, accompanied by minor circulatory reactions. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the dramatic effect of air emboli, identical quantities of carbon dioxide injected into cerebral arteries of the pigs were not associated with major clinical symptoms. The early reversibility of ischemic reactions visualized in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging encourages the use of carbon dioxide insufflation as a protective method in cardiac surgery.

[Transarterial chemoperfusion of inoperable pancreas carcinoma and local recurrence]. / Transarterielle Chemoperfusion des inoperablen Pankreaskarzinoms und Lokalrezidivs.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the side effects and tumor response of a locoregional transarterial chemoperfusion with Mitomycin C and Gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2001 and August 2002, 16 patients were treated in 80 transarterial chemoperfusion sessions with a mean of 5 sessions per patient and a pause of 4 weeks between the sessions. The chemotherapy consisted of a combination of Mitomycin C (8.5 mg/m 2) and Gemcitabine (500 mg/m 2), administered within 1 hour. The tumor response was evaluated by MRT and CT and the quality of life by a patient questionnaire. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure well. The therapeutic outcomes were as follows: in 50 % (n=8) of patients, minor response with a decrease in size of the primary tumor and metastases up to 20 %; in 25 % (n = 4) of patients, stable disease; and in 25 % (n = 4) of patients, progressing metastases with stable primary tumor. Eleven patients (68.75 %) reported a good quality of life without impaired performance of their daily activities. Side effects were moderate and reversible between the treatment cycles. After one year 25 % of the patients were still alive. CONCLUSION: Transarterial chemoperfusion is a minimally invasive treatment for pancreatic carcinomas and local recurrences with little side-effects and can be delivered on an outpatient basis. It might be indicated as potential neoadjuvant treatment before surgery or as palliative treatment to provide clinical benefits and to improve the quality of life.

[The role of stereotactic 11G vacuum biopsy for clarification of BI-RADS IV findings in mammography]. / Wertigkeit der stereotaktischen 11 G-Vakuumbiopsie zur Abklärung von Befunden der Kategorie BI-RADS IV in der Mammographie.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of stereotactic vacuum breast biopsy in the histologic evaluation of suspicious mammographic findings ( BI-RADS IV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 221 patients with 227 probable mammographic lesions categorized as ( BI-RADS -IV), stereotactic biopsies were performed with an 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy device (Mammotome). The evaluation included the histology of the specimens obtained with the Mammotome or with surgery, the time for the biopsy, the amount of bleeding, number of rotations and procured specimens, the extent of the resection and the complications. RESULTS: The biopsies were technically successful in 214 of the 227 probable mammographic lesions, with 176 lesions mostly resected and 34 lesions removed more than 50 %. No representative tissue was obtained from 4 lesions. All biopsies were performed without any clinically relevant complications and terminated after adequate material was obtained (O 28 specimens, 2.58 rotations). The mean time needed for performing the biopsy was 40.2 minutes. The histologic findings were DCIS (42 lesions), ADH (7 lesions), LCIS (3 lesions), ID-Ca (14 lesions, IL-Ca (3 lesions), and IDL-Ca (1 lesion). In 28 of 42 lesions with the initial DCIS histology, the surgical histology was also DCIS (n=28) or no residual tumor (n=10). In 4 lesions with an initial DCIS-histology, the surgical histology was invasive ductal cancer (9.5 %). The late follow-up examinations (up to 3 years) did not find any evidence of a false negative biopsy. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic vacuum breast biopsy ideally complements existing breast biopsy methods. The method is minimal invasive with a low rate of mostly minor complications.

[Importance of CT and MRI in the follow-up of patients with rectal cancer]. / Wertigkeit der CT und MRT bei der Rezidivdiagnostik des kolorektalen Karzinoms.

INDICATION: Presentation and evaluation of diagnostic procedures for the follow-up in patients with suspected local recurrence of rectal cancer. METHODS: Follow-up usually is performed using endoscopy and endosonography. Imaging techniques applied are also contrast enema as well as helical CT,MR imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). RESULTS: The results demonstrate the difficulty of all available modalities to differentiate between early tumor recurrences from post-therapeutic alterations. Especially the differentiation of scar tissue and local tumor recurrence, the detection of lymph node as well as pulmonary or hepatic metastasis requires a large diagnostic effort with employment of various imaging modalities. Values determined for sensitivity and specificity for CT are 84% and 91% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 78%. For MRI and PET the sensitivity are 94% and 98%,and the specificity 92% and 90% with a PPV of 93% for the PET. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the increasing importance of CT and MRI in the follow-up of patients with rectal cancer and enable an accurate and early diagnosis through employment of new examination strategies and sequence protocols.PET remains an add-on examination in uncertain local lesions.

MRI and color-coded duplex sonography: diagnosis of partial priapism.

A case of partial priapism is reported diagnosed by contrast-enhanced MR imaging and color-coded duplex sonography. Follow-up examinations after 4 weeks and 3 months were performed. According to the results of color-coded duplex sonography and MRI, a partial priapism with development from the subacute stage to a fibrous residuum after spontaneous lysis was diagnosed. There are only very few cases of partial priapism reported in the literature and this is the first case report that demonstrates diagnosis and follow-up both by color-coded duplex sonography and contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

[Transarterial chemoembolization of liver metastases: Indication, technique, results]. / Transarterielle Chemoembolisation von Lebermetastasen: Indikationsstellung, Technik, Ergebnisse.

We have analyzed the effectiveness of repetitive transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of liver metastases as a neoadjuvant or palliative treatment modality in comparison with published data. Chemoembolization of liver metastases is performed with different cytotoxic drugs. In a 4-week interval, 357 patients were treated with repetitive 1,158 TACE courses performed with lipiodol, mitomycin C and spherex. 254 patients were treated palliatively, 18 patients symptomatically and 79 patients via the neoadjuvant protocol, 71 patients of whom received additional MR-guided laser-induced thermoablation (LITT) of the metastases after TACE. Our results were compared with the literature. Most of the patients with a low rate of local complications like vascular occlusion or liver abscess could be treated successfully using TACE. In 81 % of the treated lesions a primary high lipiodol retention was observed. In the palliative group a reduction of the tumor size was noted in 36 % of the lesions, a growth stop in 24 % and a reduction of the tumor growth rate in 40 %. In 70 % of the patients treated neodadjuvantly a reduction of the tumor size was found. The median survival rate of our collective of patients with liver metastases averages 8.6 months. In the literature median survival rates in patients with liver metastases were between 8.5 and 23 months after TACE. TACE is judged as a minimal invasive and outpatient treatment protocol for liver metastases. A combination of TACE and different local treatment modalities presents a neoadjuvant treatment strategy to control the diseased liver.

[Transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinomas: technique, indications, results]. / Transarterielle Chemoembolisation bei hepatozellulären Karzinomen: Technik, Indikationsstellung, Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: At time of diagnosis 80% of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could not be treated with surgical treatments, so that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was used as an neoadjuvant or palliative treatment modality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients were treated with 217 TACE courses, in the mean 3.6 TACE treatments per patient with an 4 week interval. TACE was performed with a dispersion of lipiodol, mitomycin C and spherex. 11 patients (18.3%) were treated in a neoadjuvant protocol with successful ablation. Lipiodol retention and size of the tumors were evaluated by CT and MRI. RESULTS: 60 patients were successful treated with TACE. After treatment a primary high lipiodol retention was displayed and in 68 (63.3%) patients a reduction of the tumor size and in 11 (20%) patients a reduction of tumor growth rate was noted. The 1 year survival rate was 59%. After response to TACE and reducing the tumor size 11 patients could be treated with MR-guided LITT 4 to 6 weeks post embolization. CONCLUSION: Chemoembolization is a minimal invasive and outpatient treatment protocol for HCC. TACE might be indicated as a palliative treatment to control the diseased liver. If repeated TACE alters the size and structure of primary unresectable HCC TACE expands the indication for MR-guided LITT.

[Needle holder for reducing radiation burden of examiners in CT-assisted puncture. Technical contribution]. / Nadelhalter zur Reduktion der Strahlenbelastung für den Untersucher bei einer CT-gesteuerten Punktion. Technische Mitteilung.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of a needle guide for CT guided puncture for the reduction of radiation dose of the interventional radiologist. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 CT-guided punctures was performed. An approach from anterior was used in 12 cases and an approach from lateral was used in 8 cases. We evaluated the practicability, the precision and possible artifacts caused by the needle guide. RESULTS: All 20 punctures could be performed with the needle guide without any complications. We observed no artifacts on the images due to the needle guide. The ability to guide the puncturing needle was not affected by the needle guide. The use and the efficacy of the needle guide were best for the approach from anterior as well as a lateral approach. However, for angulated appraches from caudal to cranial there was no benifit regarding the distance of the hands of the interventional radiologist from the radiation beam of the CT unit. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the needle guide is reducing the radiation dose of the interventional radiologist during CT-guided punctures.

[Arterial steal syndrome in patients after liver transplantation: transarterial embolization of the splenic and gastroduodenal arteries]. / Arterielles steal-syndrom bei patienten nach lebertransplantation: transarterielle embolisation von A. lienalis oder A. gastroduodenalis.

UNLABELLED: Arterial steal syndrome in patients after liver transplantation: transarterial embolization of the splenic and gastroduodenal arteries. PURPOSE: To evaluate transarterial embolization of splenohepatic and gastroduodenal steal syndrome in patients with impaired liver function tests after liver transplantation. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In a prospective study 22 patients (10 male, 12 female; mean age 49.5 years) with unexplained elevation of hepatic enzymes after liver transplantation underwent transcatheter arterial embolization of splenohepatic (n = 18) and gastroduodenal (n = 4) steal syndrome with use of Gianturco coils or microcoils. Liver and spleen parenchyma were surveyed and evaluated before and after embolization with plain helical CT, including volumetry of liver and spleen. RESULTS: DSA examinations revealed a dilated splenic artery (n = 18) or gastroduodenal artery (n = 4) combined with a slightly decreased perfusion of the hepatic arteries, while immediately after successful embolization a normal perfusion of the hepatic arteries could be noted. Volumetric measurements before and after embolization showed no significant changes in liver parenchyma (x = + 7 % +/- 2), and variable changes in splenic volume of -5 % to + 28 % (mean, + 11 %), with initial measurements. Clinical follow-up examinations revealed a normalization of the previously elevated hepatic enzymes and a normalization of liver function tests after successful embolization. Complications were observed in 4 patients (infarction of the spleen). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results reveal that in liver transplant candidates with splenohepatic and gastroduodenal steal syndrome successful embolization results in an improvement of organ perfusion with normalization of function tests.

Pseudoaneurysm formation at the site of external iliac artery stents: percutaneous stent-graft treatment.

PURPOSE: To present a patient who developed an asymptomatic large iliac pseudoaneurysm complicating stent-supported iliac artery recanalization. CASE REPORT: The pseudoaneurysm was detected in an asymptomatic 69-year-old man during routine angiography 6 months after an uncomplicated procedure to implant 3 overlapping Palmaz stents in an occluded external iliac artery. There was no evidence of stent infection. During a second intervention, the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated by percutaneous implantation of an EndoPro System I stent-graft. Contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography at 6 and 12 months confirmed the durability of aneurysm exclusion and the patency of the endoprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Angioplasty-induced pseudoaneurysm is rare and usually asymptomatic, but elective percutaneous stent-graft repair should be considered as the first treatment option.

Postinterventional transcutaneous suture of femoral artery access sites in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease: a study of 930 patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a percutaneous vascular suture (PVS) device in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) for achievement of immediate hemostasis at the vascular access site and early ambulation of fully anticoagulated patients after peripheral interventional procedures. From June 1995 to March 2000, a vascular suture using a PVS device (6-10 Fr) was applied in 930 patients with PAOD. All patients had received an endoluminal intervention in the pelvic and/or the contralateral femoropopliteal region via a retrograde access through the common femoral artery (CFA). The incidence of complications within 12 hr after intervention, prior to discharge, and at 30-day follow-up was assessed employing clinical examination, treadmill test, and color Doppler ultrasound and the safety of the PVS device was determined. The efficacy of the system was measured by the percentage of achieved immediate hemostasis and early ambulation. PVS was technically successful in 92.2% independently from the degree of calcification at the access site. In 7.8%, an appropriate suture delivery could not be performed and these patients were successfully treated by conventional compression technique. Device malfunction or insufficient suture closure occurred in 1.7% and 2.1%, respectively. In 7.0%, groin-related complications occurred. Ambulation within 2-4 hr after successful suture was possible in 96.1%. All patients were free of any local symptoms at 30-day follow-up. The PVS device provides a safe and effective solution to achieve immediate hemostasis, thus permitting early ambulation in fully anticoagulated patients with PAOD after peripheral interventional procedures.