Application of Precut Papillotomy in Patients With Surgically Altered Gastrointestinal Anatomy

It is challenging to perform ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy. The failure rate of selective bile duct cannulation by the standard method is high. To explore the application of precut papillotomy (PP) technique in patients with gastrectomy, we carried out this retrospective analysis. From January 2017 to September 2020, 107 patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy were referred to our department for ERCP examination. Among them, 11 cases were duodenal stricture or jejunal stricture, resulting in the inability to reach the duodenal papilla. Eleven patients stopped cannulation because they could not tolerate the further operation. 60 patients were intubated successfully by standard method. Finally, 25 patients using the precut papillotomy technique were included in our analysis. Of the 25 patients who used pp, 21 completed selective biliary cannulation, with a success rate of 84% (21/25). Compared with standard intubation, the PP technique increased the success rate of intubation in patients with altered anatomy by 21.9%. Among the patients we included, 2 cases had adverse events, including 1 case of acute pancreatitis and 1 case of perforation; the incidence of adverse events was 8%. All adverse events were mild and cured after conservative treatment. In patients with gastrointestinal anatomical changes, PP is effective and relatively safe to improve the selective biliary cannulation success rate.

Comparison of three different techniques for internal jugular vein cannulation under real time ultrasound guidance

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ultrasound (USG) guided Internal jugular venous (IJV) cannulation is preferred than traditional approach due to increase in success rate, reduction in time taken and attempts of successful cannulation and less complications. The purpose of our study was to observe and compare three different real time 2-dimensional US-guided approaches and to determine which approach improves rate of successful cannulation, decreases complications along with shorter average time taken for the procedure. Primary outcomes of the study were venous access time, catheterization time and success rate. Secondary outcomes were number of patients requiring second attempt and complications observed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>120 adult patients were randomly divided into three groups according to real time US guided cannulation done with SAX-OP approach, LAX-IP approach and OAX-IP approach. Parameters like venous access time, catheterization time, number of patients requiring second attempt and complications were noted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Venous access time was shortest in LAX group 21.84±3.67 seconds which was just significant statistically. Catheterization time was shortest in LAX group 241±123 seconds. Cannulation success rate was highest in LAX group 98% and was statistically significant. Patients requiring second attempt was least in LAX group 2.5%. Posterior IJV wall puncture was observed in 10% patients in SAX group and none in LAX and OAX group which was statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> LAX-IP showed better performance in terms of higher cannulation success, lesser average venous access time and catheterization time and lesser complications. On toggling USG probe, both IJV and carotid artery can be differentiated and carotid puncture could be avoided. Hence LAX approach is safer and effective approach.</p>

Evaluation of the AirgloveTM, An Air-Regulated Thermal-Venodilatory Device Facilitating the Cannulation of Patients With Difficult Venous Access

Background Difficult venous access (DVA) can prevent delivery of life-saving intravenous (IV) fluids and medication. The Airglove™ was developed to facilitate IV access, circumventing DVA in chemotherapy patients, as current warm-water immersion (WWI) methods are sub-optimal. Methods This study had two parts; EAGLE-1, an observational, proof-of-concept study and EAGLE-2, a prospective, cross-sectional comparative study. EAGLE-1 recruited 80 adult participants undergoing chemotherapy for cancer with DVA where venous cannula insertion success rate was evaluated using Airglove™. EAGLE-2 was carried out on 34 adult healthy participants where the degree of venodilation by WWI and AirGlove™ in three veins; cubital-fossa cephalic vein, cubital-fossa median vein and the third dorsal carpal vein on both arms were measured using the GE Logic S8 multi-frequency linear-array transducer (L6-15MHz), two-dimension B-mode ultrasound. Baseline measurements were taken at 23oC, forearms were warmed to 38oC using the two modalities prior to ultrasound assessment. Results An IV cannulation success-rate of 87.5% was achieved with the Airglove™ in EAGLE-1. The EAGLE-2 study demonstrated significant venodilation enhancement in all veins examined (p < 0.001, 95% C.I) using the Airglove™. BMI, percentage body-fat, age, gender, or blood-pressure did not significantly influence the degree of venodilation. Conclusions Airglove™ enabled a significant percentage of successful cannulations in participants with DVA in EAGLE-1. EAGLE-2 demonstrated that Airglove™ significantly enhanced venodilation compared to WWI. There may be potential for Airglove™ to be considered in specific clinical settings where DVA is encountered.

Malignant Course of Right Coronary Artery

Anomalous origin of a coronary artery is uncommon but clinically significant. Manifestations vary from asymptomatic patients to those who present with angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, syncope, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. We herein describe a rare case of an anomalous origin of the RCA with malignant course between aorta and pulmonary artery. Angiography is invasive, have a relatively low cannulation success rate. Therefore, CT coronary angiography is the best method for imaging. Sudden death without symptoms occurs frequently in patients with anomalous RCAs, so surgical repair is recommended.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Radial Artery Cannulation Guided by Modified Long Axis Ultrasound Versus Short Axis Ultrasound Versus Palpation

Background: Given the low first-pass success rate of the conventional short-axis (SAX) or long-axis (LAX) approach, ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in adults with radial artery diameters less than 2.2 mm may still be challenging. In this study, we compare the efficacy of modified long-axis in-plane(M-LAIP) versus short-axis out-of-plane (SAOP) or conventional palpation(C-P) approaches for ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized and controlled trial, conducted from 1 July 2018 to 24 November 2018. A total of 201 patients (age 18 to 85 years, the diameter of the radial artery less 2.2 mm) were included. All patients were randomized 1:1:1 to the M-LAIP, SAOP or conventional palpation (C-P) approach. The primary outcome was the cannulation success rate. Secondary outcomes included first location time and cannulation time, number of attempts. The Chi-square (χ2) test was used to compare categorical data between 3 groups.Results: The cannulation success rate was significantly higher in the M-LAIP group than in the SAOP or C-P groups (first success rate: 80.3% vs 53.8% or 33.8%; p < 0.001; total success rate: 93.9% vs 78.5% or 50.8%; p < 0.001). First location time (seconds) was significantly longer in the M-LAIP group (31(28-35[12-44])) than in the SAOP (15(14-17[10-21]); p < 0.001) and C-P groups (12(8-13.5 [6-37]). However, the cannulation time (seconds) in the M-LAIP group (29(24-45[16-313])) was significantly shorter than that in the SAOP (45(28.5-135.5[14-346]); p = 0.002) and the C-P groups (138(27-308[12-363]); p < 0.001). The number of attempts was lower in the M-LAIP group compared with SAOP or C-P group (1.29±0.63 vs 1.8±0.89 or 2.22±0.93, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The use of the M-LAIP approaches significantly improved the success rate of radial artery cannulation in adults with radial artery diameters less than 2.2 mm, compared with that achieved with the use of traditional short-axis out-of-plane approach.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; No: ChiCTR-IOR-17011474; URL: http: // www. chictr.org. cn/index.aspx. Registered 24 June 2018.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in critically ill patients is safe and effective when performed in the endoscopy suite

Background and study aims Critically ill patients may require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) but performing ERCP in the intensive care unit (ICU) poses logistic and technical challenges. There are no data on ICU patients undergoing ERCP in the endoscopy suite. The primary aim of this study was to report outcomes, including safety, when ERCP in critically ill patients is performed in the endoscopy suite. Patients and methods We queried our institutional endoscopy database to identify all ICU patients who underwent ERCP at a single academic medical center from 04/01/2010 to 11/30/2017. Only patients admitted to an ICU prior to ERCP were included. Results Of 7,218 ERCPs performed during the study period, 260 ERCPs (3.6 %) were performed in 231 ICU patients (mean age 61y; 53 % male); nearly all ICU patient ERCPs (n = 258; 99 %) occurred in the endoscopy suite. ERCP indications included cholangitis (50 %), post-liver transplant cholestasis (15 %), and bile leak (10 %). All ERCPs were performed with anesthesiology, most with general anesthesia (60 %) and in the prone position (60 %). Most patients (73 %) had sepsis. Prior to ERCP, 17 % of patients required vasopressors; vasopressors were begun during ERCP in 4 %.The cannulation success rate was 95 % (94 % in native papillae). Adverse events occurred in 9 % (n = 23) of cases with post-ERCP pancreatitis most common. No patients died during or within 24 hours of ERCP. Mortality at 30 days was 16 %, all attributed to underlying disease. Conclusions When advanced ventilatory and hemodynamic support is available, critically ill patients can safely and effectively undergo ERCP in the endoscopy suite.

Safety and feasibility of the distal transradial approach: A novel technique for diagnostic cerebral angiography

Purpose We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the distal transradial approach (DTRA) as a novel technique for cerebral angiography based on our institutional initial experience. Methods We retrospectively analyzed our institutional database of consecutive diagnostic cerebral angiographies performed with DTRA from December 2018 to August 2019. Patient demographics and clinical and procedural data were recorded. Results In total, 51 diagnostic cerebral angiographies in 51 patients (age, 15–83 years; mean age, 59.4 years, SD 13.5; 35 (69%) females) were performed or attempted with DTRA. Ultrasound evaluation showed that the mean inner distal radial artery diameter was significantly smaller than the mean inner forearm radial artery diameter (2.19 mm vs. 2.56 mm, P < 0.001). Cannulation via the distal radial artery was successful in 47 (92%) procedures. In the four procedures that failed, operators converted to the ipsilateral transradial approach without repositioning or redraping. Selective catheterization of the intended vessel was achieved in 64 (91%) of 70 vessels. In the remaining six, operators achieved the objective of the examination with angiography injecting from proximal and conversion to another approach was not required. One patient experienced temporary numbness around the puncture site after the procedure. No radial artery occlusion was identified in the patients who underwent ultrasound evaluation. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that DTRA could become a standard approach for diagnostic cerebral angiography owing to the low complication rate and the high cannulation success rate.

Impact of Periampullary Diverticulum on Biliary Cannulation and ERCP Outcomes: A Single-Center Prospective Study

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between periampullary diverticulum (PAD) and difficult biliary cannulation, as well as to evaluate the impact of different types of PAD on the cannulation success rate and adverse events. Methods: A total of 636 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the study period were prospectively studied and divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PAD. In group A, 126 patients had PAD compared with 510 patients in group B without PAD. The primary outcome measurements were ERCP procedures time, selective cannulation techniques, and cannulation difficulty in addition to cannulation success rate and ERCP-related adverse events. The difficult cannulation was analyzed using logistic regression considering age, co-morbidities, the presence of PAD types, and indications as independent factors. Results: The average cohort age was 65.30&plusmn;16.67 years, and 52.7% were male. Significant higher rates of choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis were reported in the group of PAD (p&lt;0.05). Successful selective cannulation was achieved in 97.6% in group A and 95.3% in group B (p&gt;0.05). The cannulation time was significantly longer in the presence of PAD (5.1 min, vs. 4.09 min, p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of overall adverse events and post ERCP pancreatic PEP. Conclusion: The presence of PAD did not affect the duration or success of the ERCP procedure. Furthermore, it was associated with longer cannulation time and increase in the cannulation difficulty, especially with PAD type 1.

Impact of Periampullary Diverticulum on ERCP Papillary Cannulation

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between periampullary diverticulum (PAD) and difficult biliary cannulation, as well as to evaluate the impact of different types of PAD on the cannulation success rate and adverse events. Methods: A total of 636 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the study period were prospectively studied and divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PAD. In group A, 126 patients had PAD compared with 510 patients in group B without PAD. The primary outcome measurements were ERCP procedures time, selective cannulation techniques, and cannulation difficulty in addition to cannulation success rate and ERCP-related adverse events. The difficult cannulation was analyzed using logistic regression considering age, co-morbidities, the presence of PAD types, and indications as independent factors. Results: The average cohort age was 65.30&plusmn;16.67 years, and 52.7% were male. Significant higher rates of choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis were reported in the group of PAD (p&lt;0.05). Successful selective cannulation was achieved in 97.6% in group A and 95.3% in group B (p&gt;0.05). The cannulation time was significantly longer in the presence of PAD (5.1 min, vs. 4.09 min, p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of overall adverse events and post ERCP pancreatic PEP. Conclusions: The presence of PAD did not affect the duration or success of the ERCP procedure. Furthermore, it was associated with longer cannulation time and increase in the cannulation difficulty, especially with PAD type 1. The presence of PAD did not affect the duration or success of the ERCP procedure. Furthermore, it was associated with longer cannulation time and increase in the cannulation difficulty, especially with PAD type 1.