Stenting of common iliac vein obstructions combined with regional thrombolysis and thrombectomy in acute deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of stent placement after infrainguinal loco-regional thrombolysis and iliac thrombectomy (surgical TT) of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with May-Thurner-Syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a group of 11 patients (9 women) (mean age 34 years, range 16-64 years) with surgical TT and additional intra-operative stenting due to compression of the common iliac vein. Patients underwent venography to demonstrate outflow patency after surgical TT, and to identify any obstruction at the level of the left-sided common iliac vein ("Beckenvenen-Sporn"). Obstruction at the level of arterial crossing was treated using Wallstents placed via an introducer sheath from the inguinal access site. Stents were fully deployed using balloons adjusted to the size of vein. Patients were treated with oral anticoagulants for 6 months, and followed using duplex ultrasonography. RESULTS: Technical success defined as complete vein patency and normal valve function was documented in all 11 patients. One patient needed early stent extension due to residual stenosis. At 6 months follow-up one patient (9%) had an asymptomatic occlusion of the stented common iliac vein. In all 11/11 (100%) patients the femoral segment was found to be patent, and in 1/11 (9%) there was mild reflux with few clinical symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome. The calculated cumulative primary patency rate for venous iliac stents was 82%, and assisted patency rate was 91%, which remained unchanged over a mean follow-up of 22 months. CONCLUSION: Combining surgical TT and stenting of common iliac vein obstructions in DVT is safe, effective, and results in a acceptable venous patency.

Percutaneous autologous venous valve transplantation: short-term feasibility study in an ovine model

BACKGROUND: Limited experience with bioprosthetic venous valve percutaneously inserted into femoral veins in 15 patients has been promising in short-term results only to show disappointing long-term results. Percutaneous autogenous venous valve (PAVV) transplantation was explored in an ovine model as a possible alternative treatment. METHODS: PAVV consisted of a vein segment containing a valve that was attached to a stent template. The stent templates (n = 9) were designed and hand made in our research laboratory. They consist of two stainless steel square stents 13 or 15 mm in diameter to fit the ovine jugular veins (JV), which ranges from 10 to 15 mm in diameter. A valve-containing segment of JV was harvested and attached with sutures and barbs inside the stent template (n = 9). The valve devices were then manually folded and front loaded inside the 4 cm chamber of the 13F delivery sheath and delivered into the contralateral JV by femoral vein approach. Transplanted PAVVs were studied by immediate and 3 months venograms. Animals were euthanized at 3 months, and jugular veins harvested to perform angioscopic evaluations in vitro. RESULTS: PAVV transplantation was successful in all nine animals. Good valve function with no reflux was observed on immediate and 3 months venograms in eight valves. The transplanted maximal JV diameter ranged from 10.2 mm to 15.4 mm (mean 13.1 +/- 1.5 mm). Venoscopic examination revealed intact, flexible, nonthickened valve leaflets in eight specimens. One PAVV exhibited normal function of one leaflet only; the other cusp was accidentally cut during the transplantation procedure. All transplanted autologous valves were free of thrombus and incorporated into the vein wall of the host vessel. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that autogenous valve transplants remained patent and competent without long-term anticoagulation for up to 3 months. The percutaneous autogenous venous valve may provide in future minimally invasive treatment for patients with chronic deep venous insufficiency, but long-term studies need to be done to document its continued patency and function.

Three-dimensional printing creates models for surgical planning of aortic valve replacement after previous coronary bypass grafting.

PURPOSE Resternotomy for aortic valve replacement in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting and an internal mammary artery graft may be a surgical problem. Thus, we are exploring the effect of using rapid prototyping techniques for surgical planning and intraoperative orientation during aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESCRIPTION As a proof of concept, we studied a patient who had undergone CABG 5 years earlier. At that time the patient received a left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending artery and a venous graft to the right coronary artery. Now the patient required aortic valve replacement due to symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The left internal mammary artery bypass and the right coronary artery bypass were patent and showed good flow in the angiography. The patient was examined by 128-slice computed tomography. The image data were visualized and reconstructed. Afterwards, a replica showing the anatomic structures was fabricated using a rapid prototyping machine. EVALUATION Using data derived from 128-slice computed tomography angiography linked to proprietary software, we were able to create three-dimensional reconstructions of the vascular anatomy after the previous CABG. The models were sterilized and taken to the operating theatre for orientation during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS Stereolithographic replicas are helpful for choosing treatment strategies in surgical planning and for intraoperative orientation during reoperations of patients with previous CABG.

Patent arterial duct, bottle-meal, and fatal myocardial ischaemia

A patent arterial duct in pre-term neonates is frequent. Systemic complications consecutive to left-to-right shunting are well known but fatal myocardial ischaemia has not been described till now. The presented premature baby died from catecholamine refractory cardiogenic shock. Autoptic examination revealed acute ischaemic changes predominantly in the inner third of myocardium, speaking of coronary hypoperfusion due to a steal phenomenon secondary to the patent arterial duct.

Randomized clinical trial comparing percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) using the Amplatzer PFO Occluder with medical treatment in patients with cryptogenic embolism (PC-Trial): rationale and design

Background Several studies have shown an association of cryptogenic stroke and embolism with patent foramen ovale (PFO), but the question how to prevent further events in such patients is unresolved. Options include antithrombotic treatment with warfarin or antiplatelet agents or surgical or endovascular closure of the PFO. The PC-Trial was set up to compare endovascular closure and best medical treatment for prevention of recurrent events. Methods The PC-Trial is a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of percutaneous closure of the PFO using the Amplatzer PFO occluder with best medical treatment in patients with cryptogenic embolism, i.e. mostly cryptogenic stroke. Warfarin for 6 months followed by antiplatelet agents is recommended as medical treatment. Randomization is stratified according to patients age (<45 versus ≥45 years), presence of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA yes or no) and number of embolic events before randomization (one versus more than one event). Primary endpoints are death, nonfatal stroke and peripheral embolism. Discussion patients were randomized in 29 centers of Europe, Canada, and Australia. Randomization started February 2000. Enrollment of 414 patients was completed in February 2009. All patients will be followed-up longitudinally. Follow-up is maintained until the last enrolled patient is beyond 2.5 years of follow-up (expected in 2011).

Patent foramen ovale closure in recreational divers: effect on decompression illness and ischaemic brain lesions during long-term follow-up

To test the effect of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure on neurological events in divers.

Secondary stroke prevention: patent foramen ovale, aortic plaque, and carotid stenosis

Stroke is the most debilitating cardiovascular event. It has a variety of causes that may be present simultaneously. In young or otherwise healthy people, the search for a patent foramen ovale (PFO) has become standard. In stroke of the elderly, atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation are in the foreground but the PFO should not be ignored. The risk of a PFO-related stroke over time is controversial and so is its prevention by device closure. The association of proximal aortic plaques in arteries subtending the brain and stroke is considered strong, ignoring that it is as putative as that of the PFO. Statins can prevent progression of such plaques. Antiplatelet agents in asymptomatic and surgical endarterectomy in symptomatic patients or highly ulcerated lesions are the treatment of choice. Stenting with protection devices was shown competitive in selected patients.

Instant percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with acute myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries

Two young women with angiographically normal coronary arteries suffered an acute myocardial infarction. Both were found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO), the likely pathway of a paradoxical embolus causing the infarction. The PFOs were diagnosed and closed percutaneously with an Amplatzer PFO Occluder during the emergency coronary angiography.

Patent foramen ovale and high-altitude pulmonary edema

CONTEXT: Individuals susceptible to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) are characterized by exaggerated pulmonary hypertension and arterial hypoxemia at high altitude, but the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood. Anecdotal evidence suggests that shunting across a patent foramen ovale (PFO) may exacerbate hypoxemia in HAPE. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that PFO is more frequent in HAPE-susceptible individuals and may contribute to more severe arterial hypoxemia at high altitude. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Case-control study of 16 HAPE-susceptible participants and 19 mountaineers resistant to this condition (repeated climbing to peaks above 4000 m and no symptoms of HAPE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of PFO determined by transesophageal echocardiography, estimated pulmonary artery pressure by Doppler echocardiography, and arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry in HAPE-susceptible and HAPE-resistant participants at low (550 m) and high altitude (4559 m). RESULTS: The frequency of PFO was more than 4 times higher in HAPE-susceptible than in HAPE-resistant participants, both at low altitude (56% vs 11%, P = .004; odds ratio [OR], 10.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.9-64.0]) and high altitude (69% vs 16%, P = .001; OR, 11.7 [95% CI, 2.3-59.5]). At high altitude, mean (SD) arterial oxygen saturation prior to the onset of pulmonary edema was significantly lower in HAPE-susceptible participants than in the control group (73% [10%] vs 83% [7%], P = .001). Moreover, in the HAPE-susceptible group, participants with a large PFO had more severe arterial hypoxemia (65% [6%] vs 77% [8%], P = .02) than those with smaller or no PFO. CONCLUSIONS: Patent foramen ovale was roughly 4 times more frequent in HAPE-susceptible mountaineers than in participants resistant to this condition. At high altitude, HAPE-susceptible participants with a large PFO had more severe hypoxemia. We speculate that at high altitude, a large PFO may contribute to exaggerated arterial hypoxemia and facilitate HAPE.

Paradoxical emboli through the patent foramen ovale as the suspected cause of myocardial and renal infarction in a 48-year-old woman

We review the case of a 48-year-old woman who underwent elective percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure following successive renal and myocardial infarction with normal renal and coronary arteries, probably as a consequence of paradoxical emboli.