The Effects of Protrusion into the Outflow Vein on Outcomes of Stent Grafts Used to Treat Cephalic Arch Stenoses in Dysfunctional Brachiocephalic Fistulae.

PURPOSE: To assess long-term patency rates of cephalic arch stent grafts in brachiocephalic fistulae and the importance of device position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 152 patients with dysfunctional brachiocephalic fistulae and cephalic arch stenosis treated with stent grafts (Viabahn; W. L. Gore) at a single tertiary center between 2012 and 2021. The median age was 67.5 years (range, 25-91 years), and the median follow-up period was 637 days (range, 3-3,368 days). A grading system of protrusion was applied: (a) Grade 0, no protrusion; (b) Grade 1, perpendicular; and (c) Grade 2, in-line protrusion. Subsequent fistulograms were available in 133 (88%) of the 152 patients and were assessed for central vein stenosis within 10 mm of the stent graft. Clinical records were assessed for sequelae of stent graft protrusion. Stent graft primary and cumulative circuit patencies were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Protrusion was documented in 106 (70%) stent grafts-56 Grade 1 and 50 Grade 2. Central vein stenosis was seen in 1 (2%) case of no protrusion (Grade 0) and 38 (40%) cases of protrusion (P < .0001). There was no significant difference in stenosis between Grade 1 and 2 protrusion (P = .15). No adverse clinical sequelae occurred in 147 (97%) patients. Eight patients had a new access subsequently formed in the same arm, and 3 of these 8 patients developed symptoms due to the previous stent graft protrusion (all Grade 2). The primary patency rates of the stent-grafts at 6 and 12 months were 73% and 50%, respectively. The cumulative access circuit patency rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were 84%, 72%, and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that protrusion of a cephalic arch stent graft into the central vein is safe and only clinically relevant when a subsequent ipsilateral access is created.

Use of a VBX balloon expandable stent-graft for management of right brachiocephalic vein stenosis.

Here we describe the use of a VBX balloon expandable stent-graft (WL Gore, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) to treat a right brachiocephalic vein stenosis in a haemodialysis patient prior to ipsilateral upper limb arterio-venous (AV) fistula formation. Balloon expandable stent-grafts are unsuitable for treating peripheral fistula stenoses due to their susceptibility of being crushed. The right brachiocephalic vein is both relatively short in comparison to the left and is less susceptible to extrinsic compression and the use of such a device to treat stenosis here allows for very accurate placement and restoration of luminal diameter. The advantages and disadvantages of using these devices in haemodialysis access circuits are also discussed herein, in what we believe to be the first report of the application of a dedicated commercially available balloon expandable stent graft in a haemodialysis patient.

Management of acute and chronic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction: a multidisciplinary team consensus.

The aim of this manuscript was to establish a consensus for the management of acute and chronic venous obstruction among specialists in the UK. Specialist physicians representing vascular surgery, interventional radiology and hematology were invited to 3 meetings to discuss management of acute and chronic iliofemoral obstruction. The meetings outlined controversial areas, included a topic-by-topic review; and on completion reached a consensus when greater than 80% agreement was reached on each topic. Physicians from 19 UK hospitals agreed on treatment protocols and highlighted areas that need development. Potential standard treatment algorithms were created. It was decided to establish a national registry of venous patients led by representatives from the treating multidisciplinary teams. Technical improvements have facilitated invasive treatment of patients with acute and chronic venous obstruction; however, the evidence guiding treatment is weak. Treatment should be conducted in centers with multi-disciplinary input; robust, coordinated data collection; and regular outcome analysis to ensure safe and effective treatment and a basis for future evolvement.

Results of Stent Graft Placement to Treat Cephalic Arch Stenosis in Hemodialysis Patients with Dysfunctional Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistulas.

PURPOSE: To determine effectiveness of the VIABAHN (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona) stent graft to treat cephalic arch stenosis in patients with dysfunctional brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas after inadequate venoplasty response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, patients with failed venoplasty of symptomatic cephalic arch stenosis received a VIABAHN stent graft. Follow-up venography was performed at approximately 3, 6, and 12 months. Data were retrospectively analyzed with patency estimated using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methodology. There were 39 patients included. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success was 100%. Primary target lesion patency was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69%-93%), 67% (95% CI, 50%-80%), and 42% (95% CI, 25%-57%) at 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in patency with regard to sex or age (P = .8 and P = .6, respectively). Primary assisted patency was 95% (95% CI, 82%-99%) at 3, 6, and 12 months. Access circuit primary patency was 85% (95% CI, 69%-93%), 67% (95% CI, 50%-80%), and 42% (95% CI, 25%-57%) at 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in patency between patients with the stent graft as the first treatment episode in the cephalic arch and those that had previous intervention at this site (P = .98). There were 48 repeat venoplasty procedures performed in the cephalic arch to maintain patency, including 7 repeat VIABAHN insertions. No complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The VIABAHN stent graft is a safe, effective, and durable device for treating cephalic arch stenosis when venoplasty fails.

Complete renal recovery from severe acute renal failure after thrombolysis of bilateral renal vein thrombosis.

A previously healthy young man presented with acute renal failure due to extensive spontaneous deep vein thrombosis, including the inferior vena cava (IVC) and both renal veins. The patient was treated with selectively delivered thrombolytic therapy over a 7-day-period, which resulted in renal vein patency and complete recovery of renal function. A stent was placed over a segment stenosis of the IVC. No thrombophilic factors were identified. Bilateral renal vein thrombosis in young fit individuals is an unusual cause of acute renal failure. Thrombolytic therapy, even with delay, can completely restore renal function.

Long-term results of stent-graft placement to treat central venous stenosis and occlusion in hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of stent-grafts for the treatment of central venous disease in hemodialysis patients with functioning arteriovenous (AV) fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2004 and March 2010, 42 VIABAHN stent-grafts were deployed in central veins of 30 patients (16 men, 14 women; mean age 60 y) with functioning AV fistulas and central venous disease that did not respond to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Eighteen patients had central vein stenosis and 12 had occlusion. Previous PTA and/or bare metal stent placement had been performed in 23 patients (77%). Surveillance was carried out at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months with diagnostic fistulography. The mean follow-up was 705 days (range, 66-1,645 d). Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier and log-rank studies. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 100%. Primary patency rates were 97%, 81%, 67%, and 45% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Primary assisted patency rates were 100%, 100%, 80%, and 75% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Patients without previous procedures had significantly shorter times to repeat intervention (P = .018) than those who had undergone PTA or bare metal stent placement previously. Patients with occlusive lesions had a significantly shorter primary patency interval (P = .05) than patients with stenoses. Occluded veins were more likely to require further stent-grafts (P = .02). Twelve patients required further stent-grafts to maintain patency. There was one minor complication. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-graft placement to treat central venous disease in hemodialysis patients with autogenous AV fistulas is safe and effective if PTA fails to maintain luminal patency.

Pelvic arterial embolisation in a trauma patient with a pre-existing aortobifemoral graft.

Pelvic fractures secondary to blunt trauma are associated with a significant mortality rate due to uncontrolled bleeding. Interventional radiology (IR) can play an important and central role in the management of such patients, offering definitive minimally invasive therapy and avoiding the need for high-risk surgery. Rapid access to whole-body computed tomography has been shown to improve survival in polytrauma patients and allows rapid diagnosis of vascular injury and assessment of suitability for endovascular therapy. IR can then target and treat the specific area of bleeding. Embolisation of bleeding pelvic arteries has been shown to be highly effective and should be the treatment of choice in this situation. The branches of the internal iliac artery (IIA) are usually involved, and these arteries are accessed by way of IIA catheterisation after abdominal aortography. Occasionally these arteries cannot be accessed by way of this conventional route because of recent IIA ligation carried out surgically in an attempt to stop the bleeding or because (in the rare situation we describe here) these vessels are excluded secondary to previous aortoiliac repair. In this situation, knowledge of pelvic arterial collateral artery pathways is important because these will continue to supply pelvic structures whilst making access to deep pelvic branches challenging. We describe a rare case, which has not been previously reported in the literature, in which successful embolisation of a bleeding pelvic artery was carried out by way of the collateral artery pathways.