Cervical ripening for a singleton fetus in breech prensentation at term: Comparison between mechanical and pharmaceutical methods.

Although various international professional societies currently recommend trial of vaginal delivery of term fetuses in breech presentation, the question of the method of cervical ripening, when necessary, remains open. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two methods of cervical ripening for delivery of a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term: a mechanical method (balloon catheter) and a pharmaceutical method (prostaglandins). STUDY DESIGN: This two-center retrospective study reviewed records from 2014 through 2019 in two French maternity units with two different cervical ripening methods for fetuses in breech presentation. The study included all women with cervical ripening for a medical indication with a live singleton fetus in breech presentation ≥ 37 weeks, with an unfavorable cervix. The group treated with a mechanical method was compared with the group receiving a pharmaceutical method. The cesarean delivery rate was the principal outcome, and maternal and neonatal morbidity the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: We included 74 women, 19 with mechanical cervical ripening, and 55 with pharmaceutical treatment. The cesarean rate was 57.9% in the balloon catheter group and 40% in the prostaglandin group (P = 0.097) (crude OR =2.06, 95% CI [0.72 - 5.94]; adjusted OR = 2.88, 95% confidence interval [0.52-15.96]), and the postpartum hemorrhage rates 21.1% and 1.8% respectively (P = 0.008). Neonatal morbidity did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Although the cesarean rate and neonatal morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between these two methods of cervical ripening, our study lacked power.

Is Surgical Thrombo-Embolectomy in Acute Limb Ischemia Still Advantageous in Patients More Than 65 Years of Age?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the benefits of using Fogarty balloon catheterization in the treatment of acute leg ischemia with respect to amputation, fasciotomy, and mortality in older patients. METHODS: A total of 102 patients age >65 who had a Fogarty thrombo-embolectomy for acute thromboembolic limb ischemia were investigated retrospectively. Patients were evaluated based on Rutherford IIa and IIb criteria and duration of ischemia. Duration of ischemia was divided into 3 categories (as 0 to 4, 4 to 8, and >8 hours) to evaluate the effect of ischemia period on vital parameters and mortality. Analysis with Cox regression showed that 30-day mortality was associated with older age and number of comorbidities such as amputation and fasciotomy. RESULTS: In 102 patients >65 years of age who underwent embolectomy, rates were 7.2% fasciotomy (n = 7) and 13.7% amputation (n = 14), and 10 patients died (9.8%). According to multiple regression analysis, the surgical risk increases 1074 times when each year is added to the chronological age of over  65 years. CONCLUSION: In a majority of cases, limb salvage can be obtained via simple embolectomy rather than risking intravenous iodinated contrast. Although alternatives in older patients are limited, the Fogarty catheter should be regarded as a first-line treatment because of its ease of use and low complication rate.

Concentric ballooned catheterization to the fractional non-newtonian hybrid nano blood flow through a stenosed aneurysmal artery with heat transfer.

The current work analyzes the effects of concentric ballooned catheterization and heat transfer on the hybrid nano blood flow through diseased arterial segment having both stenosis and aneurysm along its boundary. A fractional second-grade fluid model is considered which describes the non-Newtonian characteristics of the blood. Governing equations are linearized under mild stenosis and mild aneurysm assumptions. Precise articulations for various important flow characteristics such as heat transfer, hemodynamic velocity, wall shear stress, and resistance impedance are attained. Graphical portrayals for the impact of the significant parameters on the flow attributes have been devised. The streamlines of blood flow have been examined as well. The present finding is useful for drug conveyance system and biomedicines.

Walrus Balloon Guide Catheter for Stroke Intervention: Technical Considerations and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The use of balloon guide catheters (BGCs) for proximal flow arrest during neurointerventional procedures has been limited owing to the incompatibility of BGCs with large-bore aspiration catheters and difficulty in device navigation. The objective of our study was to describe the use of the Walrus catheter (Q'Apel Medical, Fremont, California, USA), a new 8F BGC, with a variety of aspiration catheters and procedures requiring flow arrest. METHODS: Consecutive cases using Walrus BGCs for proximal flow arrest during mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke cases were recorded. The procedure indication, vessel occlusion site, technique, first-pass effect (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score of 2C or 3 after the first recanalization attempt), and complications were recorded and evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Our study included 57 patients who had undergone mechanical thrombectomy. In addition to mechanical thrombectomy, the Walrus BGC was used in conjunction with the following techniques: stent retrieval in 2 patients (3.5%), stent retrieval followed by aspiration (Solumbra technique) in 41 (71.9%), and aspiration followed by stent retrieval in 14 patients (24.6%). Eight different aspiration catheters were used in 56 of these 57 procedures. The first-pass effect (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score of 2C and 3) was achieved in 36 (63.2%) of 57 procedures. Two patients (3.5%) had experienced intraoperative complications (symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage) and one patient (1.8%) had died in-hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have demonstrated that the Walrus BGC is a highly navigable 8F guide catheter compatible with most available aspiration catheters. Owing to its compatibility with most available aspiration catheters and ease of use, the Walrus BGC is a valuable addition to the tools available for mechanical thrombectomy.

Multiple arterial and venous thromboembolism in a male patient with hereditary protein C deficiency: A case report.

RATIONALE: Hereditary protein C deficiency has a high prevalence in Asian populations, being the important risk factor associated with thrombophilia. Traditionally, conservative medication is the first choice for patients with hereditary protein C deficiency. However, there are few reports on whether aggressive surgical treatment can be performed when patients continue to develop life-threatening ischemic symptoms after adequate anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 40-year-old male presented with right lower extremity pain for 1 week. DIAGNOSIS: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of lower extremity indicated arterial embolization of the right superficial femoral artery. Vascular ultrasonography showed old extensive thrombus in the deep vein of the left lower extremity. Electrocardiogram reported old anterior myocardial infarction. Sequencing of the gene encoding protein C (PROC) gene revealed that a heterozygous in-frame deletion mutation (c.577-579delAAG, p.192delK). Based on these findings, the diagnosis of hereditary protein C deficiency was made. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was given low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulation and urokinase treatment immediately. Then we performed the Fogarty catheter embolectomy with about 18.5 cm thrombus being removed and utilized the balloon catheter to dilate the anterior tibial artery. Despite given adequate anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy postoperatively, the patient still had new thrombosis, and eventually underwent arterial embolectomy and amputation. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharged with good wound healing and continued rivaroxaban treatment at a dose of 20 mg daily. The patient was followed-up monthly until 1 year: there was no adverse ischemic events occurred. LESSONS: Aggressive surgical treatment may be the effective attempt for life-saving when conservative treatment as the first choice had unsatisfactory results in hereditary protein C deficiency patients. The novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) could be more suitable than warfarin for the treatment and prevention of recurrence in patients with hereditary protein C deficiency.

Surgery for the Venous Disaster - Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is an acute fulminating form of extensive venous thrombosis. Limb loss, post-thrombotic syndrome and life-threatening conditions can occur without appropriate management. Treatment methods vary; there presently is no consensus on the best form of treatment. Endovascular procedures have been a good option for treating deep vein thrombosis, yet they may be insufficient for patients suffering from phlegmasia cerulea dolens. Venous thrombectomy with the guidance of venography quickly relieves symptoms, hardly causes complications, yields optimal mid-term results, and can be a justifiable treatment for phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

Balloon-assisted tracking technique to overcome intracranial stenosis during thrombectomy for stroke.

Anatomical vessel obstacles such as an intracranial stenosis in stroke are challenging and may lead to delayed clot access for thrombectomy. We describe a simple and effective technique to overcome the step-off between the intermediate catheter and an intracranial vessel stenosis during thrombectomy. The patient presented with acute embolic left middle cerebral artery occlusion and a favorable penumbral pattern. Clot access was made challenging by focal stenosis in the ipsilateral cavernous segment. The balloon-assisted tracking technique was effective in traversing the step-off to enable TICI 3 aspiration thrombectomy. This simple and effective technique should be kept in mind during stroke procedures where a proximal stenotic obstacle complicates access to the site of occlusion.

Double Fogarty balloon catheter technique for difficult to retrieve esophageal foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body ingestion is common, especially in the pediatric population. Plans for retrieval should be tailored to the specific esophageal foreign bodies. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a difficult to retrieve esophageal foreign body in a 3-year-old girl who ingested a 2 cm glass pebble. Intraoperatively, attempts using conventional optical forceps and retrieval baskets were unsuccessful due to the size and smooth texture of the object. A novel strategy using double Fogarty embolectomy balloon catheters for retrieval of blunt esophageal foreign bodies was devised and described. CONCLUSION: The double fogarty retrieval technique described appeared to be safe and efficacious, allowing for extraction of large esophageal foreign bodies under direct visualization.

Efficacy of Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Stent Retriever and Balloon-Guiding Catheter.

PURPOSE: Intra-arterial therapy of acute ischemic stroke has developed rapidly in recent years. Due to proven efficacy in randomized trials, stent retrievers were replacing first-generation thrombectomy devices and have been defined as method of choice. However, aspiration catheters or a combination of several techniques have shown promising rates of successful recanalizations. To create a basis for comparison of the new approaches according to real-world data, we determined the first pass recanalization rate of an evidence-based standard technique with the use of a stent retriever in combination with a balloon-guiding catheter. The assessment was based on the number of required passages and reperfusion rate, but not on clinical results. METHODS: Patients from our institution with anterior circulation occlusions and mechanical thrombectomy by using stent retrievers in combination with balloon-guiding catheters were analyzed retrospectively. Reperfusion was graded with the "thrombolysis in cerebral infarction" (TICI) classification on post-interventional angiograms. Additionally, the number of passes and the duration of the recanalization procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Between 2014 and July 2017, 201 patients met the inclusion criteria. Successful recanalization, defined as a TICI scale 2b/3, was 91% (TICI 2b was achieved in 44% and TICI 3 in 47%) after the procedure. After the first passage, successful recanalization was achieved in 65% of the patients. Mean number of passes was 1.4 (1-5 passes) for all patients. Median duration of the procedure was 49 min (0:11-2:35 h). CONCLUSIONS: Even a standard thrombectomy technique with the use of a stent retriever together with a balloon-guiding catheter provides reasonable recanalization rates with only one passage. The results can be taken as benchmark for alternative and more complex techniques.

Assessment of human placenta as an ex-vivo vascular model for testing of liquid embolic agent injections with adjunctive techniques.

PURPOSE: This project sought to test the utility of post-delivery human placenta (HP) as a vascular model for liquid embolic agent (LEA) simulation, along with adjunctive techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve LEA injections were performed under fluoroscopy in HP with two reflux control methods: dual lumen 'mini' balloon-catheter (n=9); and injection after proximal nBCA plug formation through a second microcatheter ('pressure cooker') (n=3). Measured outcomes included liquid embolic agent (LEA) advancement and reflux. Reflux was categorized into three grades: grade 0=no reflux; grade 1=occlusion of side branches without reflux beyond the balloon or plug; and grade 2=reflux beyond the balloon or plug. RESULTS: Simulation success was greater when a balloon was used rather than with a nBCA plug (89% vs 33%, P=0.054). In eight successful balloon-assisted injections, the reflux grades were: 50% grade 0; 12.5% grade 1; and 37.5% grade 2. The one successful nBCA plug injection had grade 2 reflux. All grade 2 balloon injections occurred when the balloon was positioned across a vessel bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS: HP provides excellent simulation for liquid embolic agents with a dual lumen balloon catheter.

[RENAL ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA (ANEURYSMAL TYPE) TREATED BY NEPHRECTOMY UNDER BALLOON CATHETER OCCLUSION OF RENAL ARTERY: A CASE REPORT].

A 60-year-old man presented with leg edema and shortness of breath. He was being treated with medication for chronic heart failure for the past 3 years and had been in a traffic accident when he was 13 years old. Computed tomography showed a huge right renal arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The right renal artery measured 16 mm in diameter, the renal aneurysm was observed to be 60 mm, renal vein 87 mm, and the inferior vena cava 60 mm in diameter. His high-output heart failure was attributed to his right renal AVF, for which treatment was deemed necessary. Due to the risk of pulmonary embolism associated with transcatheter arterial embolization, we performed a nephrectomy with temporary interruption of renal blood flow using a balloon catheter. He was observed to be asymptomatic immediately after surgery.

Aneurismas da artéria e da veia braquial induzidos por uso contínuo de muleta: relato de caso / Aneurysms of brachial artery and vein induced by continuos use of crutch: case report

O aneurisma arterial induzido por uso de muleta é um evento raro, e a associação com aneurismas venosos não está descrita na literatura. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente que, após o uso prolongado dessa órtese, apresentou quadro de isquemia aguda de membro superior secundária à trombose de um aneurisma da artéria braquial, associado ao achado incidental de aneurismas da veia braquial. Embora a principal causa de oclusão arterial aguda de membro superior seja a embolização de fonte cardíaca, deve-se considerar a possibilidade de embolização arterioarterial por aneurismas provocados pelo uso prolongado de muletas. Os aneurismas venosos também devem ser suspeitados, uma vez que podem ser sede de trombos e fonte de êmbolos pulmonares

Crutch-induced arterial aneurysm is a rare event and there are no descriptions in the literature of cases with concomitant venous aneurysms. We report the case of a patient who, after prolonged crutch use, presented with acute ischemia of the upper limb secondary to brachial artery aneurysm thrombosis, associated with the incidental finding of brachial vein aneurysms. Although the main cause of acute upper limb occlusion is embolization of cardiac origin, consideration should be given to the possibility of arterio-arterial embolization due to an aneurysm induced by prolonged use of crutches. Venous aneurysms should also be suspected since they can be sites of thrombosis, and a source of pulmonary embolism

Endoscopic endonasal control of the paraclival internal carotid artery by Fogarty balloon catheter inflation: an anatomical study.

OBJECTIVE Neurosurgical management of many vascular and neoplastic lesions necessitates control of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of achieving control of the ICA through the endoscopic endonasal approach by temporary occlusion with a Fogarty balloon catheter. METHODS Ten endoscopic endonasal paraseptal approaches were performed on cadaveric specimens. A Fogarty balloon catheter was inserted through a sellar bony opening and pushed laterally and posteriorly extraarterially along the paraclival carotid artery. The balloon was then inflated, thus achieving temporary occlusion of the vessel. The position of the catheter was confirmed with CT scans, and occlusion of the ICA was demonstrated with angiography. The technique was performed in 2 surgical cases of pituitary macroadenoma with cavernous sinus invasion. RESULTS Positioning the Fogarty balloon catheter at the level of the paraclival ICA was achieved in all cadaveric dissections and surgical cases through a minimally invasive, quick, and safe approach. Inflation of the Fogarty balloon caused interruption of blood flow in 100% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Temporary occlusion of the paraclival ICA performed through the endoscopic endonasal route with the aid of a Fogarty balloon catheter may be another maneuver for dealing with intraoperative ICA control. Further clinical studies are required to prove the efficacy of this method.

Initial clinical experience using the two-stage aspiration technique (TSAT) with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter for acute ischemic stroke of the anterior circulation.

BACKGROUND: Our initial experience using the two-stage aspiration technique (TSAT) with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter is presented. In TSAT, aspiration is applied with the 5MAX ACE and also with the 3MAX catheter with a Penumbra aspiration pump, while arresting proximal flow by balloon inflation. METHODS: In patients treated with TSAT, clinical data including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge, as well as procedural data including the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score, procedural time, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-four consecutive patients (19 men (56%); mean age 73 years) were treated with TSAT using a balloon guiding catheter. The patients presented with a mean NIHSS score of 17.4 and 23 (68%) patients received IV tissue plasminogen activator. Median time from groin puncture to successful recanalization was 41 min (range 15-160 min). All patients were successfully revascularized; TICI 2b or better recanalization was achieved in 30 (88%) patients. No patient required an additional procedure such as use of a stent retriever. Procedure-related complications occurred in two (5.9%) patients (vessel injury and guidewire perforation). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in one patient and asymptomatic hemorrhagic infarction occurred in two patients. There were no cases of embolization to new territory (ENT). The mean NIHSS score at discharge improved to 6.1. Sixteen patients (47%) achieved a good outcome with an mRS score of 0-2 at discharge (mean hospitalization period 20 days). CONCLUSIONS: TSAT with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter is an effective and safe method to achieve good clinical and angiographic outcomes. This method may reduce ENT in the direct aspiration first-pass thrombectomy (ADAPT) technique.

Flegmasia cerúlea en miembro inferior derecho en postoperatorio de cirugía ginecológica / Phlegmasia cerulea dolens in the right lower limb after gynecological surgery

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Onyx Embolization for Isolated Type Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Using a Dual-Lumen Balloon Catheter.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of a dual-lumen balloon may improve Onyx penetration into isolated dural arteriovenous fistulas (i-DAVFs). OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of Onyx embolization using a dual-lumen balloon with those using a non-balloon catheter for i-DAVFs. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients underwent Onyx embolization for i-DAVFs using a non-balloon (n = 14) or a dual-lumen balloon catheter (n = 15). Since its introduction, a dual-lumen balloon catheter has been preferred. We compared the dual-lumen balloon group with the non-balloon catheter group regarding angiographic outcome, treatment-related complications, total procedural time, Onyx injection time, and the number of feeders requiring embolization. RESULTS: The dual-lumen balloon group showed complete occlusion of i-DAVFs in 13 and near-complete in 2 patients, while the non-balloon group showed complete occlusion in 5, near-complete in 5, and incomplete in 4 patients (P < .05). Treatment-related complications occurred in 2 patients: 1 in the non-balloon group and 1 in the dual-lumen balloon group. The mean total procedural time was 62 ± 32 minutes in the dual-lumen balloon and 171 ± 88 minutes in the non-balloon group (P < .05). The mean Onyx injection time was 10 ± 6 minutes in the dual-lumen balloon and 49 ± 32 minutes in the non-balloon group (P < .05). The median number of feeders requiring embolization was 1 (range, 1-3) in the dual-lumen balloon and 2 (range, 1-4) in the non-balloon group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Utilization of a dual-lumen balloon catheter for Onyx embolization of i-DAVF seemed to significantly increase the immediate complete occlusion rate and decrease total procedural time, Onyx injection time, and number of feeders requiring embolization.