Selective use of Duplex Ultrasound after Successful Thrombin Injection of Pseudoaneurysms

Introduction Duplex-guided thrombin injection (DGTI) has been shown to be a safe and efficacious initial treatment of iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms. Postinjection follow-up duplex ultrasound examination has become the accepted standard of care despite 1) the use of intraprocedural ultrasonography to monitor successful thrombosis, 2) a low post-DGTI recurrence rate, and 3) the relatively high cost of ultrasonography. A retrospective study of DGTI at our institution was conducted to examine the necessity of routine duplex ultrasound after successful DGTI, along with a review of the relevant literature. Patient Population/Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 82 patients with iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms (12 complex; 25.6%) treated with DGTI after initial diagnostic duplex ultrasonography. Immediate routine follow-up duplex ultrasound was performed on 71 of 82 cases (86.6%), whereas 11 patients received only clinical follow-up at the surgeon's discretion. Patient demographics, pseudoaneurysm anatomy, procedural details, outcomes, and complications were retrospectively documented and analyzed. Results From January 2002 to November 2003, 82 patients (59.8% women) underwent DGTI for pseudoaneurysm, with the majority located in the common femoral artery (48 of 82; 58.5%). Eighty pseudoaneurysms (97.6%) were treated with DGTI, with 78 (95.1%) being initially successful. Four of 78 (5%) follow-up examinations were judged to be of clinical significance: 2 of 78 patients (2.6%) became symptomatic and experienced pseudoaneurysm recurrence, whereas 2 of 78 patients were found to have an additional, previously undocumented, pseudoaneurysm. Three of these four resolved with a second injection, whereas one resolved without additional treatment. No thromboembolic, allergic, or infectious complications related to DGTI occurred. Conclusions In concert with the available literature, this cohort confirms that DGTI is a safe and effective treatment of iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms with a low rate of recurrence, complication, and need for conversion to surgical intervention. DGTI should undoubtedly be the initial treatment of choice for pseudoaneurysms; however, follow-up duplex ultrasonography can be reserved for the clinically symptomatic patient.

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Mechanochemical ablation for great and small saphenous veins insufficiency in patients with type III shunt

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1177/0268355520951695 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 026835552095169

Author(s):

Vicente Mosquera-Rey ◽

José A Del Castro Madrazo ◽

María Ángeles M Herrero ◽

Rubén A Cordeu ◽

Ernesto A Azofra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saphenous Vein ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Additional Treatment ◽

Success Rates ◽

Type Iii ◽

Saphenous Veins ◽

Venous Shunt ◽

Anatomical Success

Objective the aim of this study was to assess the results of mechanochemical endovenous ablation either in the primary or recurrent saphenous vein insufficiency, including only patients with veno-venous shunt type III. Methods retrospective analysis of a prospective study of patients with symptomatic chronic venous insufficiency who underwent ClariVein® technique. A total of 134 saphenous veins were included between August 2017 and August 2018. Follow-up was performed by Duplex ultrasound at 1, 6 and 12 months. Primary endpoints were technical and anatomical success. Secondary endpoints were the need for further treatment of varicose collateral veins by sclerotherapy, outcomes regarding recurrent insufficiency and clinical success. Results A total of 111 great saphenous veins and 23 small saphenous veins were treated with a technical success of 95.6%. The overall anatomical success rates at 1, 6 and 12 month were 96.2%, 88.8% and 84.4%, respectively, without differences between primary and recurrent insufficiency. Deferred sclerotherapy over varicose collaterals was carried out in 28% of the patients with anatomical success. Clinical improvement was achieved in 87.3%. Conclusions MOCA technique has proven to be an effective technique, although additional treatment over varicose collaterals could be necessary in up to one-third. Atrophy of the saphenous vein and the lack of persistent varicose collateral veins during follow-up seem to be indicators of successful therapy.

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Association of initial prednisolone dose with remission, relapse, and infectious complications in adult-onset minimal change disease

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology ◽

10.1007/s10157-021-02119-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kaori Tanabe ◽

Ken-ichi Samejima ◽

Fumihiro Fukata ◽

Takaaki Kosugi ◽

Hideo Tsushima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Initial Treatment ◽

Minimal Change Disease ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Remission Rate ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Minimal Change ◽

Multicenter Cohort Study ◽

Prednisolone Dose ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background A dose of 0.5–1 mg/kg/day of prednisolone (PSL) is administered for the initial treatment of minimal change disease (MCD). However, little is known about the optimal PSL dose for the initial treatment of MCD. Methods We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of treatment-naive adult patients with MCD diagnosed by renal biopsy from 1981 to 2015 in whom PSL monotherapy was performed as the initial treatment. The exposure of interest was an initial median PSL dose of < 0.63 mg/kg/day (Group L) compared to ≥ 0.63 mg/kg/day (Group H). Cumulative remission and relapse after remission were compared between these groups using Cox regression adjusted for baseline characteristics. Results Ninety-one patients met the inclusion criteria. During a median follow-up of 2.98 years, 87 (95.6%) patients achieved complete remission, and 47.1% relapsed after remission. There was no significant difference in the remission rate between the groups at 4 weeks of follow-up (66.7 vs. 82.6%). The median time to remission in Group L was comparable to that in Group H (17.0 vs. 14.0 days). A multivariable Cox hazard model revealed that the initial PSL dose was not a significant predictor of remission. The cumulative steroid doses at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment initiation were significantly lower in Group L than in Group H. Conclusion The initial PSL dose was not associated with time to remission, remission rate, time to relapse, or relapse rate. Therefore, a low initial steroid dose may be sufficient to achieve remission.

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Restenosis After Carotid Endarterectomy Performed With Routine Intraoperative Duplex Ultrasonography and Arterial Patch Closure: A Contemporary Series

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery ◽

10.1177/1538574407301141 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 200-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Andres Schanzer ◽

Andrew Hoel ◽

Christopher D. Owens ◽

Nicole Wake ◽

Louis L. Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Carotid Endarterectomy ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Duplex Ultrasonography ◽

Routine Practice ◽

Single Institution ◽

Duplex Scan ◽

Patch Closure ◽

The Mean

The restenosis rates of 5% to 15% have been reported after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We undertook this investigation to determine whether the routine practice of carotid artery patch closure and intraoperative completion duplex ultrasonography would result in lower rates of carotid restenosis after CEA. All consecutive carotid endarterectomies performed between 2000 and 2004 at a single institution were reviewed retrospectively. Patients underwent CEA using a longitudinal arteriotomy, followed by routine patching and intraoperative completion duplex ultrasonography. Only patients with at least one postoperative duplex scan performed at a minimum of 180 days after CEA were included. During the 5-year study period, 407 consecutive carotid endarterectomies were performed, with a combined 30-day stroke and mortality rate of 2.5%; 217 patients (53%) had one or more duplex ultrasound examinations performed at least 180 days after CEA. The mean follow-up duration was 692 days. Of the patients who underwent intraoperative intervention based on the results of the completion duplex study, none experienced restenosis, stroke, or death. CEA that is performed with routine patching and intraoperative duplex completion ultrasonography is a safe, durable operation with restenosis rates below those commonly reported.

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Modulation of carotid strain by statin therapy in atherosclerosis patients

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000596 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 108-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christian Alexander Schaefer ◽

Anna Katharina Blatzheim ◽

Sebastian Gorgonius Passon ◽

Kristin Solveig Pausewang ◽

Nadjib Schahab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statin Therapy ◽

Pulse Wave ◽

Ultrasound Examination ◽

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Strain Analysis ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Strain Imaging ◽

The Common

Abstract. Background: The beneficial effect of statin therapy on the progress of atherosclerotic disease has been demonstrated by numerous studies. Vascular strain imaging is an arising method to evaluate arterial stiffness. Our study examined whether an influence of statin therapy on the vessel wall could be detected by vascular strain imaging. Patients and methods: 88 patients with recently detected atherosclerosis underwent an angiological examination including ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse wave index (PWI), central puls ewave velocity and duplex ultrasound. Captures for vascular strain analysis were taken in B-mode during ultrasound examination of the common carotid artery and evaluated using a workstation equipped with a speckle tracking based software. A statin therapy was recommended and after six months a follow-up examination took place. Meanwhile, the non-adherence of a group of patients (N = 18) lead to a possibility to observe statin effects on the vascular strain. Results: In the statin non-adherent group the ABI decreased significantly to a still non-pathological level (1.2 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2; p = 0.016) whereas it stagnated in the adherent group (1.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2; p = 0.383). The PWI did not differ in the non-adherent group (180.5 ± 71.9 vs. 164.4 ± 75.8; p = 0.436) but under statin therapy it decreased significantly (261.8 ± 238.6 vs. 196.4 ± 137.4; p = 0.016). In comparison to the adherent group (4.2 ± 2.0 vs. 4.0 ± 1.8; p = 0.548) under statin therapy the radial strain decreased significantly in the non-adherent group (4.7 ± 2.0 vs. 3.3 ± 1.1; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Our findings reveal a beneficial influence of statin therapy on the arterial wall detected by vascular strain analysis.

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Endovenous radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation (Closure FAST) of great saphenous veins

Phlebologie ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1622301 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (02) ◽

pp. 69-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T. M. Proebstle ◽

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Thermal Ablation ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Clinical Success Rate ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Multicenter Trial ◽

Saphenous Veins ◽

Clinical Control ◽

Prospective Multicenter Trial

Summary Background: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST has become a globally engaged technology for ablation of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). Mid-term results of slowly resolving side effects are still not described. Methods: RSTA-treated GSVs (n = 295) were followed for 24 months in a prospective multicenter trial. Clinical control visits included flow and reflux analysis by duplex-ultrasound and assessment of treatment related side effects at all times. Results: 280 of 295 treated GSVs (94.9%) were available for 24 months follow-up. According to the method of Kaplan and Meier at 24 months after the intervention 98.6% of treated legs remained free of clinically relevant axial reflux. The average VCSS score improved from 3.9 ± 2.1 at screening to 0.7 ± 1.2 at 24 months follow-up (p < 0.0001). While only 41.1% of patients were free of pain before treatment, at 24 months 99.3% reported no pain and 96.4% did not experience pain during the 12 months before. At 24 months n=3 legs showed pigmentation along the inner thigh and one leg showed study-treatment related paresthesia. Conclusion: Radiofrequency powered segmental thermal ablation Closure FAST showed a very moderate side-effect profile in conjunction with a high and durable clinical success rate.

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Gamma Knife surgery combined with resection for treatment of a single brain metastasis: preliminary results

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2010.8.gks101067 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 113 (Special_Supplement) ◽

pp. 90-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

M. Yashar S. Kalani ◽

Aristotelis S. Filippidis ◽

Maziyar A. Kalani ◽

Nader Sanai ◽

David Brachman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Data ◽

Initial Treatment ◽

Median Survival Time ◽

Local Tumor Control ◽

Survival Duration ◽

Tumor Control ◽

Local Tumor ◽

Systemic Control ◽

Cranial Metastasis

Object Resection and whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) have classically been the standard treatment for a single metastasis to the brain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) as an alternative to WBRT in patients who had undergone resection and to evaluate patient survival and local tumor control. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of 150 patients treated with a combination of stereotactic radiosurgery and resection of a cranial metastasis at their institution between April 1997 and September 2009. Patients who had multiple lesions or underwent both WBRT and GKS were excluded, as were patients for whom survival data beyond the initial treatment were not available. Clinical and imaging follow-up was assessed using notes from clinic visits and MR imaging studies when available. Follow-up data beyond the initial treatment and survival data were available for 68 patients. Results The study included 37 women (54.4%) and 31 men (45.6%) (mean age 60 years, range 28–89 years). In 45 patients (66.2%) there was systemic control of the primary tumor when the cranial metastasis was identified. The median duration between resection and radiosurgery was 15.5 days. The median volume of the treated cavity was 10.35 cm3 (range 0.9–45.4 cm3), and the median dose to the cavity margin was 15 Gy (range 14–30 Gy), delivered to the 50% isodose line (range 50%–76% isodose line). The patients' median preradiosurgery Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 90 (range 40–100). During the follow-up period we identified 27 patients (39.7%) with recurrent tumor located either local or distant to the site of treatment. The median time from primary treatment of metastasis to recurrence was 10.6 months. The patients' median length of survival (interval between first treatment of cerebral metastasis and last follow-up) was 13.2 months. For the patient who died during follow-up, the median time from diagnosis of cerebral metastasis to death was 11.5 months. The median duration of survival from diagnosis of the primary cancer to last follow-up was 30.2 months. Patients with a pretreatment KPS score ≥ 90 had a median survival time of 23.2 months, and patients with a pretreatment KPS score < 90 had a median survival time of 10 months (p < 0.008). Systemic control of disease at the time of metastasis was not predictive of increased survival duration, although it did tend to improve survival. Conclusions Although the debate about the ideal form of radiation treatment after resection continues, these findings indicate that GKS combined with surgery offers comparable survival duration and local tumor control to WBRT for patients with a diagnosis of a single metastasis.

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Switching to intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant for refractory diabetic macular edema: 12- and 24-month results

European Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1177/1120672121992982 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 112067212199298

Author(s):

Argyrios Chronopoulos ◽

Panagiotis Chronopoulos ◽

Agharza Ashurov ◽

Christina Korb ◽

Norbert Pfeiffer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Macular Edema ◽

Diabetic Macular Edema ◽

Fluocinolone Acetonide ◽

Additional Treatment ◽

Multicentric Study ◽

Goldmann Tonometry ◽

Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema ◽

Intravitreal Implant ◽

Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant

Purpose: To report visual and anatomical outcomes of chronic/refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant. Setting: Retrospective, one arm, multicentric study. Method: Between 2013 and 2018, 27 consecutive eyes of 25 patients with chronic/refractory DME were treated with a fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. Best registered visual acuity (BRVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and Goldmann tonometry intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed at 12 and 24 months. The need for IOP lowering treatment as well as top-up therapy during the follow-up were also assessed. Results: The duration of DME prior to treatment in our study was 54 ± 24 months. The baseline mean BRVA of 0.7 ± 0.34 logMAR improved to 0.5 ± 0.3 ( p = 0.01) at 12 months and 0.46 ± 0.3 ( p = 0.04) at 24 months. At 12 months, BRVA improved in 14 eyes (52%), stabilized in 5 eyes (20%), and decreased in 3 eyes (11%). At 24 months, BRVA improved further in 6 eyes (24%), stabilized in 3 eyes (12%), and decreased in 6 eyes (24 %). Mean CRT decreased from 497 ± 176 to 349 ± 186 μm at 12 months ( p = 0.0005) and to 267 ± 104 μm at 24 months ( p = 0.001). Only five eyes required additional treatment for DME and only three eyes required treatment for raised IOP. Discussion: Our results show that the visual and the anatomical improvements achieved by a single injection of a fluocinolone acetonide implant were maintained up to 24 months with minimal additional therapy even in eyes with a long and heavy history; however, IOP monitoring remains essential.

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Internal valvuloplasty combined with sleeve wrapping in the treatment of severe deep venous incompetence: A case report

Vascular ◽

10.1177/1708538121990121 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812199012

Author(s):

Yingfeng Wu ◽

Libing Wei ◽

Xixiang Gao ◽

Yixia Qi ◽

Zhu Tong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Venous Insufficiency ◽

Femoral Vein ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Vein Wall ◽

Polyester Urethane ◽

Left Lower Limb ◽

Deep Vein ◽

Color Duplex Ultrasound

Background The main cause of severe chronic venous insufficiency is deep venous incompetence. Deep venous reconstructive surgeries are reserved for cases that do not show a good response to conservative therapies. Method We present the case of a 68-year-old man presenting with swelling, pain, and pigmentation in his left lower limb for 14 years and ulcers for 10 years. Descending venography identified a Kistner’s grade IV reflux in the deep vein of the left lower limb. Internal valvuloplasty was performed following Kistner’s method. Meanwhile, external wrapping with a 1-cm-wide polyester-urethane vascular patch was performed to strengthen the vein wall in the venospasm condition. Results Symptoms were immediately relieved postoperatively. Refractory ulcers healed five months after the procedure. At the six-month follow-up, color duplex ultrasound of the deep vein of the left lower limb showed no reflux in the proximal segment of the femoral vein. Conclusion Internal valvuloplasty combined with sleeve wrapping is feasible in the treatment of severe deep venous incompetence with good short-term results.

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Applications of intraoperative Duplex ultrasound in vascular surgery: a systematic review

The Ultrasound Journal ◽

10.1186/s13089-021-00208-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pasha Normahani ◽

Bilal Khan ◽

Viknesh Sounderajah ◽

Sepideh Poushpas ◽

Muzaffar Anwar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bypass Surgery ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Residual Flow ◽

Scanning Strategy ◽

Adjusted Risk ◽

Conflicting Evidence ◽

Carotid Artery Endarterectomy ◽

The Impact ◽

Modest Reduction

Abstract Objective This review aims to summarise the contemporary uses of intraoperative completion Duplex ultrasound (IODUS) for the assessment of lower extremity bypass surgery (LEB) and carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA). Methods We performed a systematic literature search using the databases of MEDLINE. Eligible studies evaluated the use of IODUS during LEB or CEA. Results We found 22 eligible studies; 16 considered the use of IODUS in CEA and 6 in LEB. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies in terms of intervention, outcome measures and follow-up. In the assessment of CEA, there is conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of completion imaging. However, analysis from the largest study suggests a modest reduction in adjusted risk of stroke/mortality when using IODUS selectively (RR 0.74, CI 0.63–0.88, p = 0.001). Evidence also suggests that uncorrected residual flow abnormalities detected on IODUS are associated with higher rates of restenosis (range 2.1% to 20%). In the assessment of LEB, we found a paucity of evidence when considering the benefit of IODUS on patency rates or when considering its utility as compared to other imaging modalities. However, the available evidence suggests higher rates of thrombosis or secondary intervention in grafts with uncorrected residual flow abnormalities (up to 36% at 3 months). Conclusions IODUS can be used to detect defects in both CEA and LEB procedures. However, there is a need for more robust prospective studies to determine the best scanning strategy, criteria for intervention and the impact on clinical outcomes.

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Healing of Carotid Stents: A Prospective Duplex Ultrasound Study

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/152660280301000333 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 636-642 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Andrea Willfort-Ehringer ◽

Ramazanali Ahmadi ◽

Michael E. Gschwandtner ◽

Angelika Haumer ◽

Gottfried Heinz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Arteries ◽

Duplex Ultrasound ◽

Stable Phase ◽

Carotid Stent ◽

Time Intervals ◽

Unstable Phase ◽

Ultrasound Study ◽

Maximal Thickness ◽

Second Year

Purpose: To study the dynamics of carotid stent healing over a 2-year period using duplex ultrasound imaging. Methods: One hundred twelve patients with 121 successfully stented carotid arteries were examined with color-coded duplex ultrasound the day after the stent procedure and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months in follow-up. The maximal thickness and echogenicity of the layer between the stent and the perfused lumen (SPL) were evaluated. Echogenicity was classified as echogenic if the SPL layer was clearly detected in B mode and echolucent if the SPL layer was barely visible in B mode, its border defined by assistance of color-coded flow. Results: At day 1, an echolucent SPL layer with a median thickness of 0.7 mm was interpreted as a thrombotic layer, which decreased at 1 month to practically zero (i.e., not detectable). In follow-up, increases in thickness (mainly up to 6 months) and echogenicity (up to 12 months) of the SPL layer were interpreted as neointimal ingrowth. At 3, 6, and 12 months, the median maximal thickness of the SPL layer was 0.5 mm, 0.9 mm, and 1.0 mm, respectively, whereas the percentage of patients with an echogenic SPL layer was 27% (32/119), 56% (66/117), and 95% (105/110), respectively, at the same time intervals. No further change was observed at the 24-month examination. Conclusions: Three phases of carotid stent incorporation are defined: (1) an early unstable period soon after stent placement with an echolucent (thrombotic) SPL layer, (2) a moderately unstable phase with ingrowing neointima (1–12 months), and (3) a stable phase from the second year on. These data may indicate the need for different intensities of therapy and surveillance intervals.

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