Risk and prognostic factors of post-catheterization pseudoaneurysm.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk and prognostic factors of post-catheterization pseudoaneurysm (PPA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: To identify the risk factors for PPA occurrence, clinical findings were compared between 22 consecutive patients with radiologically confirmed PPAs (PPA group) and 300 randomly extracted patients without PPA, who underwent transarterial angiography or intervention (sample group) between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2020. The PPA group was further divided into those treated successfully with mechanical compression (group A) and those requiring ultrasound-guided thrombin injection after compression failed (group B). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare patient demographics, preoperative laboratory findings, procedure details, PPA diameter, and time interval between the procedure and compression between groups A and B to evaluate the prognostic factors of PPA. RESULTS: The PPA group demonstrated significantly elevated prothrombin time international normalized ratios (PT/INR) (odds ratio [OR]: 6.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.020-19.5; p = 0.00151) and more frequent popliteal access (OR: 14.2, 95% CI: 1.040-195.0; p = 0.0467) compared to the sample group, and radial access decreased the risk of PPA (OR: 0.382, 95% CI: 0.0148-0.987; p = 0.0468). One of the 22 PPAs resolved spontaneously, and 11 others (52.4%) were successfully treated by mechanical compression. An interval exceeding 24 hours between the procedure and compression was the only significant prognostic factor (p = 0.0281) between groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated PT/INR and popliteal access may predispose patients to PPA; close consideration of the site of access may lower the risk of refractory PPA.

Ectopic origin of bronchial arteries: still a potential pitfall in embolization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of ectopic origin of bronchial arteries (BAs) on bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for hemoptysis. METHODS: CT and angiography images of 50 consecutive sessions in 39 patients (aged 26-93 years; mean, 70.6 years) who underwent BAE for hemoptysis from April 2010 to December 2019 were reviewed. We defined ectopic BA as a systemic artery originating from other than the T5-T6 vertebral level of the descending aorta with course along the major bronchi. The background of patients, number of BAs, culprit arteries, and treatment outcomes were compared between the cases with and without ectopic BAs. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (43.6%) demonstrated 19 ectopic BAs, originating from the subclavian artery (n = 7), aortic arch above the T5-T6 level (n = 6), internal mammary artery (n = 3), brachiocephalic trunk (n = 2) or lower descending thoracic aorta (n = 1). Total number of BAs in the cases with ectopic BA was significantly greater than those in cases without ectopic BA (p = 0.0062). Required sessions of embolization were similar in the two groups. No procedure-related significant complications were noted; however, four ectopic BAs caused unexpected filling of contrast media or migration of the embolic material from the orthotopic BA to ectopic BA originating from the arch vessels via tiny communication. CONCLUSION: Although BAE under the presence of ectopic BA is feasible and safe, detection of BAs with ectopic origin, even of small diameter, is needed to avoid risk of non-target coursing of embolic materials.

Clinical impact of the Sherlock 3CG® Tip Confirmation System for peripherally inserted central catheters.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the technical success rate and catheter tip malposition rate of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement using the Sherlock 3CG® Tip Confirmation System (TCS). METHODS: In total, 114 patients who underwent PICC insertion via the Sherlock 3CG® TCS from October 2017 to February 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The primary endpoints were the technical success rate, malposition rate, and mean procedure time. The secondary endpoints were the sex-related difference in the malposition rate, radiologist's experience level, and side of insertion. Technical success was defined as procedure completion using only the Sherlock 3CG® TCS without a guidewire or fluoroscopy guidance. In accordance with the North American guidelines, an adequate position was defined as the lower third of the superior vena cava and the cavoatrial junction. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 97% (111/114). The malposition rate was 16% (18/111), and four catheters were repositioned. There were no significant differences in the malposition rate between the sexes, radiologist's level of experience, or side of insertion. CONCLUSIONS: PICC placement using the Sherlock 3CG® TCS yielded a high technical success rate and low catheter tip malposition rate regardless of the radiologist's level of experience or side of insertion.

Percutaneous puncture and embolisation for pancreatitis-related pseudoaneurysm: the feasibility of thrombin injection even in collection of fluid surrounding the pseudoaneurysm.

PURPOSE: Pancreatitis-related pseudoaneurysm, a potentially life-threatening condition, is treated utilising endovascular management as a first choice and alternatively by percutaneous direct puncture of the aneurysm and embolisation. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old man with alcohol-induced necrotic pancreatitis underwent transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) for multiple pancreatic pseudoaneurysms. TAE failed in one enlarged aneurysm in the pancreatic body, and percutaneous direct needle puncture and coagulation using thrombin was planned. Precise puncture of the aneurysmal sac under fluoroscopy and computed tomographic (CT) guidance failed, but we could inject about 500 units of thrombin through the outer cannula into the collection of fluid surrounding the aneurysm. Compared to preoperative images, contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) showed shrinkage of the pseudoaneurysm without complications just after the procedure and its disappearance five days after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous direct puncture and embolisation is a feasible choice to treat pancreatic pseudoaneurysms, and injection of thrombin even into the collection of fluid surrounding the pseudoaneurysm can be a viable alternative, especially in cases in which precise puncture of the aneurysmal sac is difficult because of its size and location.

Hepatic Encephalopathy due to Congenital Multiple Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunts Successfully Treated by Percutaneous Transhepatic Obliteration.

Hepatic encephalopathy due to intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts (IPSVS) in a non-cirrhotic condition is rare. Here we report a rare case of a patient with congenital multiple IPSVS successfully treated by percutaneous transhepatic obliteration. The patient was a 67-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with progressive episodes of consciousness disorder and vomiting. Laboratory tests revealed hyperammonemia (192.0 µg/dL), and computed tomography revealed multiple IPSVS in both lobes. There was no evidence of underlying liver disease or hepatic trauma. Transcatheter embolization for IPSVS was performed because conservative therapy was not sufficiently effective. After endovascular shunt closure, hepatic encephalopathy improved. The serum ammonia level normalized during the 5-year follow-up period. Thus, transcatheter embolization may be an effective therapy for patients with symptomatic and refractory IPSVS. Careful follow-up is necessary for portal hypertension-related complications after transcatheter embolization for IPSVS.