Identification of The Intersegmental Plane By Arterial-Ligation Method During Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of identifying the intersegmental plane by arterial ligation alone during thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy. Methods We selected 35 patients with peripheral small lung nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy between May and December 2020. First, the targeted segmental arteries were distinguished and ligated during the operation. Then, bilateral pulmonary ventilation was performed with pure oxygen to fully inflate the entirety pulmonary lobes. After waiting for a while, the intersegmental plane appeared. Finally, the intersegmental plane was observed using thoracoscopy after indocyanine green was injected into the peripheral vein. The intersegmental planes determined by these two methods were compared. Results Thirty-four patients underwent segmental resection and one patient finally underwent lobectomy. The intersegmental planes were successfully observed in all patients using the arterial ligation method. The time from contralateral pulmonary ventilation to the appearance of the intersegmental plane was 13.7±3.2 min (6-19 min). The intersegmental planes determined by the arterial ligation method and the fluorescence method were comparable. After the operation, CT examinations showed that the remaining lung segments of all patients were well inflated. The mean duration of closed thoracic drainage was 3.1±0.9 days. Conclusion The arterial ligation method can be used to determine the intersegmental plane in anatomical segmentectomy. The method is feasible, reliable, and safe.

A Rare Cause of Hemoptysis in West Syndrome—Isolated Aortopulmonary Collaterals in Structurally Normal Heart

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) are abnormal systemic to pulmonary collateral vessels originating from the persistent segmental arteries. The common conditions concomitant with MAPCA are congenital heart diseases with reduced pulmonary blood flow. Isolated MAPCAs represent occurrence of collaterals in the absence of underlying heart disease, which commonly present as heart failure, recurrent respiratory tract infection, and pulmonary artery hypertension. Here, we describe a case of West syndrome presenting with hemoptysis due to isolated MAPCAs and its causal relation and management.

Utilizing patient-specific 3D printed guides for graft reconstruction in thoracoabdominal aortic repair

In thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, repairing the visceral and segmental arteries is challenging. Although there is a pre-hand-sewn and multi-branched graft based on the conventional image-based technique, it has shortcomings in precisely positioning and directing the visceral and segmental arteries. Here, we introduce two new reconstruction techniques using patient-specific 3D-printed graft reconstruction guides: (1) model-based technique that presents the projected aortic graft, visualizing the main aortic body and its major branches and (2) guide-based technique in which the branching vessels in the visualization model are replaced by marking points identifiable by tactile sense. We demonstrate the effectiveness by evaluating conventional and new techniques based on accuracy, marking time requirement, reproducibility, and results of survey to surgeons on the perceived efficiency and efficacy. The graft reconstruction guides cover the segmentation, design, fabrication, post-processing, and clinical application of open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm, and proved to be efficient for accurately reconstructing customized grafts.

Acute Beetroot Juice Ingestion Does Not Alter Renal Hemodynamics during Normoxia and Mild Hypercapnia in Healthy Young Adults

Arterial hypercapnia reduces renal perfusion. Beetroot juice (BRJ) increases nitric oxide bioavailability and may improve renal blood flow. We tested the hypothesis that acute consumption of BRJ attenuates both decreases in blood velocity and increases in vascular resistance in the renal and segmental arteries during acute hypercapnia. In fourteen healthy young adults, blood velocity and vascular resistance were measured with Doppler ultrasound in the renal and segmental arteries during five minutes of breathing a carbon dioxide gas mixture (CO2) before and three hours after consuming 500 mL of BRJ. There was no difference between pre- and post-BRJ consumption in the increase in the partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 during CO2 breathing (pre: +4 ± 1 mmHg; post: +4 ± 2 mmHg, p = 0.4281). Segmental artery blood velocity decreased during CO2 breathing in both pre- (by −1.8 ± 1.9 cm/s, p = 0.0193) and post-BRJ (by −2.1 ± 1.9 cm/s, p = 0.0079), but there were no differences between pre- and post-consumption (p = 0.7633). Segmental artery vascular resistance increased from room air baseline during CO2 at pre-BRJ consumption (by 0.4 ± 0.4 mmHg/cm/s, p = 0.0153) but not post-BRJ (p = 0.1336), with no differences between pre- and post-consumption (p = 0.7407). These findings indicate that BRJ consumption does not attenuate reductions in renal perfusion during acute mild hypercapnia in healthy young adults.

Thoracolumbar intraosseous spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas after vertebral compression fracture: A case report and literature review

Background: The pathophysiology of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEAVFs) with perimedullary venous drainage remains to be elucidated. This report describes a case of intraosseous SEAVF in a patient with a history of a thoracolumbar vertebral fracture at the same level 10 years before presenting with progressive myelopathy secondary to retrograde venous reflux into the perimedullary vein. Case Description: A 71-year-old man presenting with progressive paraparesis was diagnosed with a SEAVF involving a previous Th12 and L1 vertebral compression fracture on which feeders from multiple segmental arteries converged. The interesting feature of this case was that the fistula was located in the fractured vertebral body. The fistula was totally obliterated by transarterial embolization of the segmental arteries followed by symptom improvement. Conclusion: We presented a rare case of an intraosseous SEAVF secondary to a thoracolumbar compression fracture with perimedullary venous reflux causing progressive myelopathy. The fistula was located in the fractured vertebral body.

Utilizing Patient-specific 3D Printed Guides for Graft Reconstruction in Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair

In thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, repairing the visceral and segmental arteries is challenging. Although there is a pre-hand-sewn and multi-branched graft based on the conventional image-based technique, it has shortcomings in precisely positioning and directing the visceral and segmental arteries. Here, we introduce two new reconstruction techniques using patient-specific 3D-printed graft reconstruction guides: 1) model-based technique that presents the projected aortic graft, visualizing the main aortic body and its major branches and 2) guide-based technique in which the branching vessels in the visualization model are replaced by marking points identifiable by tactile sense. We demonstrate the effectiveness by evaluating conventional and new techniques based on accuracy, marking time requirement, reproducibility, and results of survey to surgeons on the perceived efficiency and efficacy. The graft reconstruction guides cover the segmentation, design, fabrication, post-processing, and clinical application of open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysm, and proved to be efficient for accurately reconstructing customized grafts.

MO437RENAL RESISTIVE INDEX IS INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENAL BLOOD FLOW IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Background and Aims The Renal Resistive Index (RRI) measured in intrarenal arteries is considered a marker of cardiovascular damage, and its value can express the amount of renal perfusion. However, some experimental investigations don’t confirm this association. Moreover, in recent works, End Diastolic Velocity (EDV) was used as a better than RRI marker of kidney damage. The study aimed to investigate relations between different ultrasound Renal Doppler parameters (RRI, acceleration (ACC), acceleration time (ACT), and EDV) with the Renal Blood Flow (RBF) estimated in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-MDCT). Method In 25 patients (14F, 11M; age 58.9 ±19.0; eGFR 56,9 ±27.4 mL/min/1.73m2) with hypertension and suspected renal artery stenosis, ultrasound Color Doppler examination of intrarenal segmental arteries (GE Logiq P6) was performed. Then CE-MDCT (GE Discovery 750 HD) of renal arteries with RBF assessment was completed. Renal Doppler parameters (RRI, ACC, ACT, and EDV) and RBF were evaluated for each kidney separately. Finally, 31 kidneys without a narrowing of supplying arteries were considered for statistics. Results Mean values of intrarenal Doppler parameters were calculated: RRI = 0.699 ±0.113; ACC = 7.41 ±2.75 [m/s2]; ACT = 35.8 ±8.4 [ms]; EDV = 13.68 ±8.41 [cm/s]. CE-MDCT RBF = 218.04 ±71.92 [ml/s/100g]. Only RRI and EDV correlated significantly with RBF (r = -0.544; p=0.002 and r=0.428; p=0.018, respectively). The retrograde multivariable regression analysis included all investigated ultrasound renal Doppler parameters showed an independent association only between RRI and RBF (b = -0.544; R2 = 0.27, p < 0.002). Conclusion Only Renal Resistive Index measured in intrarenal segmental arteries is independently related to the Renal Blood Flow from investigated ultrasound renal Doppler parameters. Although End Diastolic Velocity is positively correlated with RBF, this association is not superior to Renal Resistive Index.

Congenital renal arteriovenous malformation: a rare cause of visible haematuria

We report a case of renal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and describe its angioarchitecture and endovascular management. A 28-year-old male patient presented with visible painless haematuria. CT of the abdomen showed a right renal AVM. Digital subtraction angiography of the right renal vessels showed an AVM of middle and lower pole segmental arteries with communication to a large saccular aneurysm, which was arising from the right main renal vein. Complete occlusion of the AVM was done by using glue (a mixture of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol), resulting in nonvisualisation of the aneurysm on angiography. His vital signs were stable during the procedure. Follow-up CT after 12 months showed no residual flow in the aneurysm, normal upper pole renal parenchyma and nonvisualisation of AVM. Early diagnosis of this clinical entity is of paramount importance for proper management as it can cause massive blood loss and rapid clinical deterioration.

How to avoid en masse lobectomy using VATS technique in presence of hilar fibrosis

Perivascular fibrosis is technically one of the most challenging issue to manage during thoracoscopic lobectomy and it is associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic injury. Here we report a case of thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy performed with individual dissection of segmental arteries due to dense adventitial fibrosis around the right lower lobe pulmonary artery. This approach may be considered as an alternative to the so-called “en masse” lobectomy and a way to avoid conversion to thoracotomy.

The relation of vertebral artery occlusion and intravertebral cleft: a prospective magnetic resonance angiography study

PurposeTo detect the relationship between the vertebral artery occlusion and the intravertebral cleft (IVC).MethodsA prospective evaluation of the vertebral segmental artery condition from the T10 to L4 with the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in 44 osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) patients. The artery condition was divided into the patency, narrow, occlusion. The lesion segmental occlusion rate (LSOR) and the total occlusion rate (TOR) was calculated. The relation of the vertebral artery occlusion and the IVC formation was assessed with the univariate analysis. ResultsLOSR was 15.34% and TOR was 15.2%. The segmental arteries of the unfractured vertebrae had higher occlusion rate in thoracolumbar levels than non-thoracolumbar levels. Neither lesion levels arteries occlusion nor the total segmental arteries occlusion was associated with the IVC.ConclusionsVertebral compression fracture did not lead to the segmental artery occlusion. The segmental artery occlusion more likely happened in the thoracolumbar levels. The segmental artery occlusion did not lead to the IVC.