Endovascular Thrombolysis in Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) is a rare vascular disease caused by blunt trauma of the hypothenar region. The optimal therapeutic strategy remains debatably since no large comparative studies are available yet. We want to evaluate the effectiveness of intra-arterial thrombolysis on angiographic and clinical outcome parameters in patients with HHS by performing a systematic review of the existing literature.Methods: A literature search of PUBMED/MEDLINE and SCIENCE DIRECT databases was performed up to May 2021.Results: In total, 16 manuscripts with 43 patients were included in the systematic review. Intra-arterial thrombolysis led to angiographic improvement in 29 patients (67.4%) and to clinical improvement in 34 patients (79.1%). Deterioration of arterial perfusion or clinical symptoms after thrombolysis were absent. Post-interventional complications were reported in only one patient (2.3%) without any bleeding complication. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that a combined administration of fibrinolytics and heparin was associated with a significantly improved arterial patency [OR 12.57 (95% CI 2.48–97.8), p = 0.005] without significant amelioration of clinical symptoms [OR 3.20 (95% CI 0.6–18.9), p = 0.172]. The use of rt-PA compared to other fibrinolytics and a prolonged thrombolysis duration of more than 24 h did not show statistically significant effects. Intra-arterial thrombolysis was significantly less effective in patients who had undergone thrombolysis with a delay of more than 30 days regarding clinical improvement [OR 0.07 (95% CI 0.00–0.54), p = 0.024].Conclusions: Intra-arterial thrombolysis with a combination of fibrinolytics and heparin is an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with acute HHS.

ISQUEMIA AGUDA DE LA EXTREMIDAD INFERIOR COMO POSIBLE COMPLICACION DE COVID-19.

Introduction Acute arterial ischemia in lower extremities is a vascular emergency with a high risk of limb loss and elevated morbidity and mortality associated. SARS-COV2 virus infection is usually not related to acute arterial ischemia and its incidence is unknown. World references have been documented such as superficial and deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial thrombosis. Case description We present the case of a 69-year-old patient, previous smoker for 15 years, who presented with acute pain in the left lower limb followed by absence of distal and popliteal pulses. Complementary imaging studies demonstrated the absence of left arterial patency from the left femoral artery, raising a diagnosis of acute arterial ischemia of the left lower limb. Threatening acute marginal ischemia (Rutherford IIA) associated with SARS-COV2 infection was considered, for which selective femoral and popliteal embolectomy was performed with further control arteriography. The patient recovers arterial patency in the left lower extremity and was discharged with anticoagulation and analgesia. Postsurgical popliteal wound developed lymphorrhea that subsides with compression measures. In follow-up, the patient has a satisfactory evolution, without signs of ischemia. Conclusion In the medical literature of our country, this is our first case of acute arterial ischemia located in the lower extremities. Diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and correct identification. Recommended treatment are surgical and/or pharmacological.

Hemorrhagic direct traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: intraoperative management and endovascular treatment

Carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare complication after transsphenoidal surgery with only 10 cases published (Ahuja et al., 1992; Cinar et al., 2013; Cossu et al., 2020; Dolenc et al., 1999; Kalia et al., 2009; Karaman et al., 2009; Kocer et al., 2002; Koitschev et al., 2006; Pigott et al., 1989; Takahashi et al., 1969). Intraoperative findings vary from unrecognized events to life-threatening hemorrhages.We provide a description of the management of an acute CCF occurring during sphenoidotomy in a patient with pituitary apoplexy. Osteotomy performed in the rostrum resulted in a fracture, which extended toward the intracavernous carotid artery.Bleeding was managed with mechanical compression. Endovascular treatment allowed closure of the fistula through transarterial coiling and glue. Arterial patency was preserved and the patient had no new neurological deficit.Drilling should be considered over osteotomy for the anterior sphenoidotomy.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/0Me23xIVeNI.

Stents in the femoropopliteal territory: prevalence of fractures and their consequences

ABSTRACT Endovascular treatment for femoropopliteal arterial disease has made revascularization procedures less invasive, but the self-expanding stents used can suffer great wear in arteries with extreme mobility. Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of fractures in stents implanted in the femoropopliteal segment, to identify predisposing factors and consequences on arterial patency. Method: between March and June 2019, thirty patients previously operated for femoropopliteal obstruction underwent stent X-rays in anteroposterior and lateral views to detect fractures and Doppler to analyze arterial patency. Results: we observed 12 cases with fractures (33.3%): 1 type I (2.8%), 3 type II (8.3%), 5 type III (13.9%), 3 type IV (8.3%) and no type V. According to the TASC II we had 1 in group B (8.3%), 6 in group C (50%) and 5 in group D (41.6%) p <0.004. The number of stents per limb was 3.1 (± 1.3) in cases of fracture versus 2.3 (± 1.3) in cases without fracture (p = 0.08). The extension was 274.17mm (± 100.94) in cases of fracture and 230.83mm (± 135.44) in cases without fracture (p = 0.29). On Doppler we had: 17 patients (47.2%) without stenosis, 9 patients (25%) with stenosis> 50% and 10 patients (27.8%) with occlusion (p = 0.37). There was no correlation between fracture and arterial obstruction (p = 0.33). Conclusion: stent fractures are a frequent finding in the femoropopliteal area (33.3%), being more prevalent in cases of more advanced disease (C and D). There was no association between the finding of fracture and arterial obstruction.

Associated Factors and Long-Term Prognosis of 24-Hour Worsening of Arterial Patency After Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Early arterial recanalization in acute ischemic stroke is strongly associated with better outcomes. However, early worsening of arterial patency was seldom studied. We investigated potential predictors and long-term prognosis of worsening of arterial patency at 24 hours after stroke onset. Methods— Patients from the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne registry including admission and 24-hour vascular imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography) were included. Worsening of arterial patency was defined as a new occlusion and significant stenosis in any extracranial or intracranial artery, comparing 24 hours with admission imaging. Variables associated with worsening of arterial patency were assessed by stepwise multiple logistic regression. The impact of arterial worsening on 3-month outcome was investigated with an adjusted modified Rankin Scale shift analysis. Results— Among 2152 included patients, 1387 (64.5%) received intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment, and 65 (3.0%) experienced 24-hour worsening of arterial patency. In multivariable analysis, history of hypertension seemed protective (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27–0.75) while higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.10), intracranial (aOR, 4.78; 95% CI, 2.03–11.25) and extracranial stenosis (aOR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.95–6.93), and good collaterals (aOR, 3.71; 95% CI, 1.54–8.95) were independent predictors of worsening of arterial patency. Its occurrence was associated with a major unfavorable shift in the distribution of the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months (aOR, 5.97; 95% CI, 3.64–9.79). Conclusions— Stroke severity and admission vascular imaging findings may help to identify patients at a higher risk of developing worsening of arterial patency at 24 hours. The impact of worsening of arterial patency on long-term outcome warrants better methods to detect and prevent this early complication.

Bare metal stents can maintain arterial patency in traumatic occlusion

Background: The standard approach to an occlusive vascular injury is open arterial reconstruction, although endovascular stenting is becoming more common, despite limited evidence. The aim of this study is to examine the performance of bare-metal stents in an ovine model of occlusive arterial trauma. Methods: Through a groin incision, a 2 cm segment of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA) was bluntly injured using a hemostat and injection of air to achieve thrombosis. Animals then underwent a stent deployment (Stent group, n=5) or no-treatment (Control group, n=5). In the Stent group, recanalization of the thrombotic lesion, thromboaspiration and bare-metal stent deployment were performed. Enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg was given to all animals. The stent group animals were fed Clopidogrel 75 mg and Aspirin 125 mg daily. Angiography and doppler ultrasound were used to evaluate arterial patency during the 7-day observation period. Results: A thrombosis was obtained in all cases. After the fall in the systolic velocity (SV, cm/sec) in both the Control (43 (36–56) to 6 (0–16); p<0.001) and Stent Groups (45 (32–53) to 8 (0–12); p<0.001), stent implantation resulted in a significant permanent increase of the SV. Day 7 angiography confirmed SFA patency in all (5/5) stented animals, with persisting occlusions in the Control group (p=0.008). There was no evidence of distal emboli in the run-off arteries. Conclusions: Bare-metal stent implantation restores arterial patency of a traumatic occlusive lesion in a standardized ovine model with a short follow-up period.