Access Failure Research Articles

Differential expression of serum TM, PAF, and CD62P in patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula and the correlation with vascular access function.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to analyze the expression differences of serum thrombomodulin (TM), platelet-activating factor (PAF), and P-selectin (CD62P) in patients with autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and the correlation with vascular access function. The case data were retrospectively analyzed. Moreover, 160 patients with AVF maintenance hemodialysis were selected as the AVF group, and 150 healthy participants were selected as the healthy control group. According to the function of vascular access, patients in the AVF group were divided into Group A (n = 50, after the first establishment of AVF), Group B (n = 64, normal vascular access function after hemodialysis treatment), and Group C (n = 46, vascular access failure). Pearson analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between serum TM, PAF, CD62P content, and vascular pathological examination indicators, to evaluate the value of TM, PAF, and CD62P levels in predicting vascular access failure in patients with AVF. The serum levels of TM, PAF, and CD62P were positively correlated with the expressions of CD68 and MCP-1, respectively (p < .001). Serum TM was positively correlated with the levels of PAF and CD62P (p < .001), and PAF was positively correlated with the levels of CD62P (p < .001), respectively. Serum levels of TM, PAF and CD62P were risk factors for vascular access failure in AVF patients (p < .05). The area under the curve of serum TM, PAF and CD62P levels in predicting vascular access failure in AVF patients was 0.879. The serum levels of TM, PAF, and CD62P in AVF patients were correlated with the vascular access function of AVF patients, which was very important for maintaining the stability of vascular access function, and had certain value in predicting vascular access failure/disorder in AVF patients, and could be popularized and applied.

Endovascular Fistula Salvage for Preserving Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Haemodialysis Patient: Tertiary Referral Hospital, a Single-Centre Experience

Abstract: Efficacy of endovascular intervention for the preservation of failing accesses is very important in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of endovascular balloon angioplasty in preserving the patency of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. This was a retrospective study of hemodialysis patients who received endovascular intervention due to access difficulties. A single-center study was created between January 2022 and June 2022. Fistulography was conducted on patients suspected of having access stenosis, and balloon angioplasty was performed in the same setting if stenosis of 50% was confirmed. Post-operative complications and access restenosis or failure were monitored. The results obtained 69 patients with hemodialysis access failure due to AVF stenosis, occlusion, and thrombosis that were admitted or referred to our hospital. The majority of patients were 40-60 years (50.7%); 88.4% patients were male and 11.6% were female, with a mean age of 56.3±11.6 (range, 18–77). The sites of AVF failure were brachiocephalic (81.1%) and radiocephalic (18.9%). There was no complication recorded. The procedure succes rate was 81.1%. In conclusion, endovascular balloon angioplasty is effective in restoring hemodialysis access patency. Recurrence is common, and interventions must be repeated. Keeping access open can save lives. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) can be used to achieve safely and successfully repair arteriovenous fistulas failure. Keywords: angioplasty; arteriovenous fistula; arteriovenous graft; hemodialysis

Abstract 81: Radial versus Femoral Access for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Femoral artery is the most used access for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in stroke patients with a large vessel occlusion. Routine radial access has been proposed as an alternative following cardiology guidelines although its safety and efficacy remain controversial. Hypothesis: Radial access for MT is non-inferior to femoral access in terms of final recanalization. Methods: The study was an investigator-initiated, single-center, evaluator-blinded randomized clinical trial. Stroke patients undergoing MT, with femoral artery patency and radial artery diameter ≥2.5mm were randomly assigned (1:1) to either radial (60 patients) or femoral access (60 patients). The primary binary outcome was successful recanalization (final eTICI score 2b-3) assigned by blinded evaluators. In the per protocol analysis, patients with allocated access failure were considered non-recanalized. We established a non-inferiority margin of -13.2%, considering an acceptable reduction of 15% in the expected recanalization rates. Results: From September 2021 to July 2023, 120 patients were randomly assigned and 114 (57 radial access, 57 femoral access) with confirmed intracranial occlusion on initial angiogram were included in the primary analysis. In the intention to treat analysis, successful recanalization was achieved in 48/57 (84.2%) patients assigned to femoral access and in 54/57(94.7%) patients assigned to radial (adjusted risk difference 3.36%, 95% CI –6.47% to 13%; p&lt;0.001). The lower limit of one-sided 95% CI was –4.8%, which did not cross our predefined margin of -13.2%. Median time from angiography suite arrival to first pass (femoral: 30 (IQR 25-37) minutes versus radial: 41 (IQR 33-62) minutes, p&lt;0.001) and from suite arrival to recanalization (femoral: 42 (IQR 28-74) versus radial: 59.5 (IQR 44-81) minutes, p&lt;0.050) were longer after radial access. Both groups presented one severe access complication and there was no difference in the rate of allocated access failure: radial 6 (10.5%) radial Vs femoral 5 (8.8%) (p=0.751). Conclusion: Among patients who underwent MT, radial access was non-inferior to femoral access in terms of final recanalization. Procedural delays may favor femoral access as default first approach.

ANTIPLATELET MEDICATIONS IN HEMODIALYSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Vascular access failure is a common complication seen among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Antiplatelet (AP) medications are often prescribed to help reduce thrombosis and increase vascular access patency. Studies on AP agents evaluating the bleeding risk for HD patients have produced inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate the utilization of AP medications among patients who undergo hemodialysis (HD). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies on AP medicaations used in HD therapy. Methods: This systematic review used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 as standards. Inclusion criteria for literature eligibility are full-text literature, written in english, and published between 2014 and 2024. Exclusion criteria used for this study were editorials, review articles and identical journal that has been published, and submissions without DOI. Literatures were collected from online reference sources like Pubmed and SagePub. Result: In the PubMed database, the results of our search brought up 23 articles, whereas the results of our search on SagePub brought up 19 articles. The results of the search conducted for the last year of 2014 yielded a total 9 articles for PubMed and 5 articles for SagePub. In the end, we compiled a total of 5 papers, 4 of which came from PubMed and 1 of which came from SagePub. We included five research that met the criteria. Conclusion: AP medications are given in HD patients with high cardiovascular commorbidities to increase vascular patency and prevent thrombosis. Aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors (PI) such as clopidogrel are commonly used. AP medications might cause shortened longevity of AV access for HD patients. The benefits of AP therapy for cardiovascular protection needs to be evaluated along with its possible effect on AVG outcomes.

On support from National Development Banks for the internationalisation of public Brazilian companies: it’s hard to say goodbye (to good companies)

ABSTRACT This article examines the relevance of National Development Banks (NDBs), taking as a reference the activity of Brazil’s BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social) and its role in the internationalisation of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). NDBs cover market failures in access to financing for companies, and they promote the development of nascent industries. Within the business cycle, the key determination to be made is at what point NDBs should withdraw their support and reallocate resources to other developing industries and companies. Using operations databases from BNDES, this process is analysed by considering the different strategies followed by flagship Brazilian companies, including Vale, Embraer, and Petrobras.

Transradial artery access for carotid artery stenting: A pooled analysis.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) through transradial access (TRA) is emerging as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy. However, the current evidence base is limited, mainly comprising single-center studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the safety and effectiveness of TRA for CAS, providing evidence to support clinical decisions. We conducted searches on PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases, including studies on TRA for CAS. Studies with fewer than 20 patients, non-primary outcomes, and non-full-text articles were excluded. We analyzed 14 studies involving 1,166 patients who underwent CAS via TRA. Procedural success rate was high in 13 studies, with a 95% rate (95% CI; 92%-98%). Crossover to TFA access was observed in 12 studies at 6% (95% CI: 3%-9%). Transradial access failure was reported in four studies, with a rate of 0% (95% CI: 0%-0%). Cannulation failure resulted in a rate of 4% (95% CI: 2%-7%). Asymptomatic radial artery occlusion (ARAO) occurred at a rate of 2% based on eight studies (95% CI: 0%-5%). Forearm hematoma was reported in 10 studies, with an occurrence of 1% (95% CI: 0%-2%). Cerebral vascular attacks (CAV) within 30days were assessed in 13 studies, indicating a 2% occurrence (95% CI: 1%-2%). The findings suggest that TRA for CAS yields promising outcomes with high success rates and low complication rates. Further research should focus on randomized controlled trials and long-term outcomes to validate and extend findings.

Fatal superior vena cava rupture complicating dialysis catheter exchange.

Central vein stenosis (CVS) is a common and challenging complication in hemodialysis patients with chronic central venous catheters (CVCs). CVS often remains asymptomatic and is discovered incidentally during follow-up imaging. CVS symptoms include arm swelling, venous hypertension, impaired dialysis flow rates, and development of collateral veins. However, these symptoms can be nonspecific and overlap with other conditions, making the diagnosis challenging. Timely recognition and appropriate intervention are crucial to prevent complications and optimize patient outcomes. Diagnostic tools commonly used include duplex ultrasonography and venography to assess the degree and location of stenosis. Management strategies for CVS encompass a multidisciplinary approach involving nephrologists, interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons. Initial conservative measures may include anticoagulation therapy, along with pharmacological interventions such as antiplatelet agents and thrombolytics. The endovascular approach is the first line for managing CVS by using balloon angioplasty either alone or in combination with stent placement, but CVS typically recurs frequently, requiring repeated interventions with an increased risk of complications. Additionally, alternative vascular access options such as arteriovenous fistulas or grafts may be considered. In this report, we describe a case of a 25-year-old woman who presented with an extensive history of multiple dialysis access failure for left internal jugular vein central venous tunneled catheter exchange. The procedure was complicated by a fatal superior vena cava rupture likely related to the dislodgment of the guidewire causing perforation into the pericardium space with subsequent cardiopulmonary collapse. The post-mortem autopsy showed severe organized stenosis of SVC and transmural defect above the SVC/atrial junction.

Predicting factors for early failure of vascular access in hemodialysis patients.

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of early failure of vascular access for hemodialysis, and determine which factors measured in duplex ultrasound study could predict early failure. We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG) creation for hemodialysis between September 2019 and January 2023. Early failure was defined as any event that required surgical or endovascular intervention within 6 months following AVF or AVG creation. A total of 189 patients were included. Early failure occurred in 36 patients (19.0%), which included 22 AVFs and 14 AVGs. In the patients who underwent AVF, the preoperative venous diameter, postoperative venous and arterial diameters, and flow volume of AVF all were significantly smaller in the early failure group compared to the patent group. In AVG, the preoperative venous diameter was the only parameter that differed between the 2 groups. A sonographic score was defined based on these factors. In a multivariable analysis, male sex, a previous history of AVF or AVG creation, and sonographic score were found to be significantly associated with early failure. The postoperative venous diameter in AVF and the preoperative venous diameter in AVG were highly predictive of early failure (areas under the curves 0.92 and 0.82, respectively). Venous diameter measured 6 weeks following AVF operation and preoperative venous diameter in AVG were highly predictive of early failure among the duplex ultrasound parameters. Surveillance strategies in the early phase following vascular access creation can be based on these factors.

Handling Failures in Secondary Radio Access Failure Handling in Operational 5G Networks

Handling Failures in Secondary Radio Access Failure Handling in Operational 5G Networks

Diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement of colour Doppler ultrasound in haemodialysis fistula and graft complications: a multicentre prospective study.

Haemodialysis provides various options for vascular access, including native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), and central intravenous catheters. However, the use of catheters should be avoided due to their association with greater risks when opposed to AVFs or AVGs. AVFs have garnered strong endorsement as the favoured vascular access choice for extended haemodialysis. A total of 200 patients initially diagnosed with AVF/AVG dysfunction were referred to the radiology department across 3 different institutions. The inclusion criteria involved patients who encountered repeated difficulties with access cannulation during dialysis. Conversely, the exclusion criteria comprised cases that had been solely assessed using colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), those exclusively evaluated with digital subtraction angiography (DSA), situations where DSA was not feasible, instances requiring immediate intervention due to acute access failure, and cases in which patients refused participation. Inter-observer agreement regarding complications of AVF/AVG was very good for the identification of thrombus (κ = 1.0), seroma (κ = 0.953), aneurysm (κ = 0.851), and pseudoaneurysm (κ = 0.851). It was considered good for the detection of juxta-anastomosis stenosis (κ = 0.751) and feeding artery stenosis (κ = 0.638). However, he agreement was fair for identifying draining vein stenosis (κ = 0.380) and distal arterial steal syndrome (κ = 0.210). The overall diagnostic performance of CDUS exhibited 86% sensitivity in identifying stenosis, with a specificity of 99.1%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.5%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%, and an accuracy of 94.3%. CDUS is a noninvasive diagnostic approach for the prompt picking of AVF complications. It serves as a suitable first-line imaging modality for nonfunctional AVF due to its cost-effectiveness and accessibility. Additionally, we provide evidence of reproducibility, encouraging the diligent use of CDUS in AVF and AVG evaluation for early complication detection and management guidance.

Perioperative Vascular Access Mapping in Patients with Hemodialysis: A Comparative Study of Access Navigation and Selection in Jordan.

This study aimed to elucidate the impact of three different mapping methods on the outcomes of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), including the traditional physical examination (PE) method, color duplex ultrasonography (CDU) mapping conducted by a radiologist (CDU-R), and CDU mapping performed by the operating surgeon (CDU-S). This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary center in Jordan. Patients were divided into three groups based on the venous mapping method: PE, CDU-R, and CDU-S. Various outcomes were analyzed, including immediate technical success, clinical adequacy at 3 months, and 1-year patency rates. Additional demographic and clinical factors influencing access patency or contributing to early failure were also examined. The study included 303 eligible patients: 100 in the PE group, 103 in the CDU-R group, and 100 in the CDU-S group. The overall immediate technical success rate was 72%, which was highest in the CDU-S group (95%, p < 0.001). Additionally, the CDU-S group had the highest clinical access adequacy rate (78%, p < 0.01). Notably, the mapping method also influenced the anatomical location of the AVF, as none of the patients in the radiologist group had a forearm AVF. CDU-R, forearm location, intraoperative arterial calcifications, and operative duration were identified as predictors of AVF failure. The results suggest that perioperative vascular mapping by the operating surgeon not only results in a higher rate of immediate success but also improves access adequacy and prevents unnecessary delays in providing an effective lifeline for hemodialysis patients. The present study highlights the burden of access failure in these patients and the evolving evidence surrounding preoperative vein mapping.

Frailty screening for determination of hemodialysis access placement

ObjectiveChoosing the right hemodialysis vascular access for frail patients remains difficult because the patient's preferences and the likelihood of access function and survival must be considered. We hypothesize that patients identified before arteriovenous (AV) access as frail by the PRISMA-7 score may have worse outcomes, indicating that fistula creation may not be the most clinically beneficial option and it would be in the best interest of the patient to receive either AV graft (AVG) placement or dialysis through a percutaneous catheter. Our pilot study aims to determine whether an association exists between patient frailty as defined by PRISMA-7 and newly created AV fistula (AVF) and AVG access outcomes. MethodsThis was a single institutional prospective cohort study of patients undergoing new AVF or AVG intervention from April 2021 to May 2023. Patients were assessed using the PRISMA-7 frailty questionnaire before their AV access surgery. Patients were grouped by frailty score and score groups were examined for trends. Univariable analysis was performed for baseline differences between frail and nonfrail patients. Failure to achieve maturation, postoperative infection, and 180-day mortality difference was also investigated for frail vs nonfrail patients. Univariable analysis was performed for nonmaturation using standard comorbidities, arterial and venous diameters, and frailty. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed for the outcome of nonmaturation using frailty as one of the variables in conjunction with the univariable risks associated with nonmaturation. ResultsA total of 40 patients undergoing new AV access placement were investigated, among whom 53% were designated as frail (PRISMA-7 score ≥3). When comparing the frail and nonfrail new AV access groups, the access (AVF and AVG combined) failed in 48% (10/21) of the frail patients, but only failed in 5% (1/19) of the nonfrail patients 1 (P = .012). When distinguishing between AV access types, AVF creations followed the overall trend with 60% of AVF access (9/15) sites in frail patients failing to mature when compared with nonfrail patients, who all had fistulas that matured to use (P = .049). Surgical site infection was absent in all frail patients and present in 5% of nonfrail patients (1/19). Both 30-day and 60-day readmission rates were higher in the frail group compared with the nonfrail group. There was 180-day mortality present in 5 of frail patients % (1/21) and absent in nonfrail patients. Multivariable analysis revealed that both frailty (adjusted odd ratio, 10.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-82.25); P = .033) and younger age (adjusted odd ratio, 0.953; 95% confidence interval, 0.923-0.983; P = .002) both had a significant association with nonmaturation. Power analysis revealed a power statistic of 0.898 indicating a probability of type 2 error of 10.02% with a P value of .002. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit for the logistic regression had 75% overall accuracy for the model. ConclusionsPatient frailty is significantly associated with an increased incidence of AV access failure to mature.

Enlarged fistulotomy of the papilla as access to the biliary tract during ERCP

BackgroundDemonstration of access to the bile duct through Enlarged Papillary Fistulotomy, a method different from conventional fistulotomy.AimsDemonstration of the EFP technique with dissection in layers of the papilla for accessing the common bile duct, its efficiency and safety, rescue of cases of failure in cannulation and cases of access failure by EFP in the first attempt, facilitating cannulation in the second attempt.MethodsCross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection from 2233 ERCP exams with 528 EFP procedures, analysis of success and complications.Results528 patients underwent EFP on the first attempt, with success in 465 cases (88.06%) and 63 failures (11.94%). Of these failures, 33 patients (52.38%) returned for a second EFP attempt, with success in 30 cases (90.9%) and failure in 3 cases (9.1%). Deep bile duct cannulation was achieved in 93.75% of EFP procedures, and cannulation failure occurred in 33 cases (6.25%).ConclusionEFP showed efficiency in CBD cannulation, did not induce post-ERCP pancreatitis, no cases of perforation or false tract, but resulted in higher rates of minor bleeding, rescued cases of access failure by EFP, facilitated the posterior approach on the second attempt, it is safe, effective, low risk and associated with few comorbidities.

Evaluation of risk factors affecting the lifespan and efficiency of dialysis accesses installed in dialysis patients referees to Ahvaz therapeutic centers in a two-year cohort study

Introduction: It is crucial in order to provide optimal hemodialysis to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to establish venous access with the least amount of complications. Objectives: In this study, we examined the risk factors that affect the efficiency and longevity of dialysis access for patients receiving dialysis in Ahvaz medical centers. Patients and Methods: In our retrospective study, 180 hemodialysis patients were referred to the Golestan educational and medical center in Ahvaz, Iran. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or catheter was conducted to provide them with vascular access. Detailed demographic information about the patient was collected, including age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), cause of ESRD, duration of renal failure, duration of dialysis, and comorbidities. There were instances of access inefficiency as a result of infection, stenosis, closure, thrombosis, bleeding, and pseudoaneurysms. The data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, t test, and chi-square tests with SPSS version 22. Statistics were considered significant at a P value of 0.05. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.08 ± 12.213 years, and the mean BMI was 27.90 ± 9.112 kg/m2 . Among dialysis patients, there was a significant relationship between male gender, clopidogrel administration, diabetes history, hypertension and access failure. It is estimated that 36.7% of vascular access failures are caused by thrombosis, while 32.8% are due to access stenosis or closure. Conclusion: Our study showed that male gender, clopidogrel administration, and a history of diabetes and hypertension were risk factors affecting dialysis access quality and efficiency. According to our study, it may be possible to develop a more appropriate approach for determining the type and location of dialysis access.

Radial artery occlusion after aneurysm treatment using the rist guide catheter: Single center cohort study

Background and purposeDelayed radial artery occlusion (dRAO) is a frequent complication after transradial access (TRA) for neurointervention when using standard large guide catheters. The RIST 079 guide catheter (RIST GC) is the first catheter designed for TRA in neurointervention. We aimed to assess the rate of dRAO after intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment using the RIST GC. MethodsPatients treated for an IA using TRA and the RIST GC between June 2021 and November 2022 were referred to a systematic US-doppler assessment of the radial artery patency at 3-month follow-up. Patients with and without dRAO were compared to identify risk factors. ResultsTwenty-two patients were included in the analysis. At 3-months follow up, 6 patients (27.3 %) presented with dRAO. Four patients were asymptomatic and 2 experienced post-operative radial hematoma and wrist pain. There was a tendency towards younger age, longer procedure duration and higher rate of forearm hematoma in patients with dRAO. Navigation using the RIST GC was successful in 90.9 % of cases. Intracranial access failures and navigation complications were all related to left internal carotid artery navigation. ConclusionsAt 3-month follow up, 27.3 % of patients treated for IA using TRA with the RIST GC presented dRAO.

Integrating vascular access surveillance with clinical monitoring for stenosis prediction.

Arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft are the most common types of vascular access for dialysis; stenosis and thrombosis are major complications leading to access failure andto an incresed risk ofmortality.The aim of the present study wasto assess the results of integrating strictvascular access blood flow surveillance with routine clinical monitoring for predicting vascular access stenosis in chronic hemodialysis patients. In this retrospective study, chronic dialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft were included from a settingin which all patients underwent quarterly blood flow surveillance in 2017. The results of blood flow surveillance were confirmed by thorough physical examination. Predictive performance of blood flow surveillance models in detecting stenosis in patients with arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft was evaluated.The predictive performance of the quarterlyblood flow surveillance model was described by confusion matrix. Differences in accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) between blood flow surveillance models with distinct blood flow thresholds were evaluated. Of 397 included patients, 336 had anarteriovenous fistula and 61 had anarteriovenous graft. In 2017, 106 percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures were performed in patients with anarteriovenous fistula, and 63 in patients with anarteriovenous graft. The results revealed similar predictive performance of surveillance models using an absolute blood flow threshold of < 500 or < 400mL/min in predicting stenosis inpatients with arteriovenous fistula. Blood flow surveillance models for patients with anarteriovenous fistula had significantly higher accuracy than those for patients with anarteriovenous graft. Furthermore, the use ofarelative threshold, defined as blood flow < 1000mL/min and a 25% decline in blood flow, did not affect thepredictive performance of blood flow surveillance models. Blood flow surveillance models using thresholds of < 400 and < 600mL/min, followed by thorough physical examination, showed an accuracy of 91.54% and 72.15% in predicting stenosis inpatients with arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft, respectively. These two blood flow surveillance models may be integrated with routine clinical monitoring to improve early detection and treatment of stenosis in hemodialysis patients.

Ultrasound guided trans-radial access in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Although ultrasound (US) guidance for vascular access is now widely considered standard of care (1,2), its use for trans-radial access (TRA) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is uncommon. There is a perception that US guidance offers no clinically relevant benefit over traditional palpation guided TRA, and this notion has been amplified by the inconsistent findings of individual studies. Purpose To evaluate the utility of US guidance for TRA when performed specifically for cardiac catheterisation. Methods A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library identified studies comparing US to palpation guided TRA for cardiac catheterization. Event rates and calculated risk ratios (RR) were pooled for meta-analysis. Access failure was the primary outcome, defined as an inability to insert a sheath into the radial artery with the initial access strategy (US or palpation guided). Random effects modelling was used for analysis. Results Of the 977 studies screened, 5 were included with a total of 1,918 patients (961 US-guided and 964 palpation-guided, Table 1). The majority of procedures were elective. US guidance significantly lowered the risk of access failure (risk ratio [RR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21 – 0.97), with moderate heterogeneity (I^2 = 51.2%) (Figure 1). There was a strong trend to improved first pass success with US (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00 – 1.66, I^2 = 83.8%), though no differences were found in rates of difficult access (RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.07 - 1.18, I^2 = 88.3%). Salvage US guidance was successful in 30/41 (73.2%) patients following failed palpation guided TRA. No differences were found in already low complication rates including radial artery spasm (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.52 – 1.62, I^2 = 34.8%) and bleeding (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.40 – 2.11, I^2 = 0.0%). No studies evaluated patient-reported outcome measures. Conclusions US guidance improves TRA success in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether routine, selective, or salvage use of US confers the most radial artery protection, patient satisfaction, and overall clinical benefit. Future studies should have standardised outcome measures including femoral crossover rates and patient reported outcome measures

Commissural alignment during TAVR reduces the risk of overlap to coronary ostia

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) showed safety and efficacy in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Commissural alignment (CA) during TAVR has the potential to reduce the impact of the prostheses on accessibility of coronary arteries, as misalignment of the neocommissures could cause partial overlap with coronary ostia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CA on coronary overlap rates. MethodsWe examined the techniques of CA and their impact on coronary access. Eligible studies were searched for on Pubmed, SCOPUS and DOAJ and selected using PRISMA guidelines. The primary endpoint was the incidence of a severe coronary overlap or failed coronary re-access. Results of the analysis are expressed as Risk Ratio (RR) with 95% CI. ResultsFour studies were included in this analysis. In these, 681 patients underwent TAVR with CA and 210 underwent TAVR without CA. We examined Evolut valves and Acurate Neo valves. The primary endpoint occurred in 138 patients undergoing TAVR with CA and in 154 patients without CA (RR = 0.279; 95% CI 0.201–0.386; p < 0.001). Neither prosthesis-related, nor patient-related factors had a significant interaction with the measured effect. ConclusionsCommissural alignment was associated with significantly lower rates of commissure-to-coronary ostia overlap and failure of coronary access. Consequently, a modified insertion technique could reduce coronary overlap and coronary occlusion, particularly in supra-annular valves. Therefore, controlled orientation of prostheses by CA during TAVR could favour coronary access, especially in younger patients that could require coronary re-access after TAVR.

Challenges of Retrograde Ureteroscopic Procedures in Overweight Patients.

Obesity and urolithiasis are both prevalent conditions that have an impact on the healthcare system. The ureteric diameter and accessibility play a crucial role in the management of urolithiasis in both overweight and normal weight patients. Studies have shown that obesity can lead to changes in ureter diameter where excessive body fat can exert pressure on the kidneys, causing them to enlarge in size and this enlargement can result in a compression of the adjacent structures, including the ureter. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of intraoperative challenges faced during retrograde ureteroscopic procedures in overweight patients with ureteric and renal calculi. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent retrograde ureteroscopic surgery (RURS) for urolithiasis from 1st January 2021 until 30th August 2023. The outcome and any complications were documented and compared with the patient's Body Mass Index (BMI). All patients who undergo RURS in our facility have to have a Non-Contrast CT scan prior to surgery. Procedural success was determined by the ability to obtain access to the stone site intraoperatively and stone-free status in kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) X-ray post-operatively. Post-operative complications were recorded up to two weeks post-operatively and classified according to the Calvein Dindo Classification. Our total sample size was 146 patients out of which 75 were overweight and 71 were normal weight patients. In 34 (45%) of overweight patients' access to the ureter was restricted due to a narrow ureteric orifice with ureteroscopy not successful; on the contrary 13 (18%) of normal weight patients faced this same issue. This was statistically significant with a p-value of .004. The stone clearance rates were 91% and 95% in overweight and normal weight patients respectively, which is higher in normal weight patients however this difference was not found to be a statistically significant finding (p-value .028). Overweight patients had 12% Grade I and 8% Grade II complications whereas normal weight patients had 11% Grade I complications and 1.4% Grade II with no higher-grade complications. Retrograde ureteroscopic procedures are a safe treatment modality for patients with urolithiasis in both overweight and normal weight populations. They are shown to have similar success rates between both populations once ureteric access is obtained. However, access failure rates are shown to be slightly higher in overweight patients. Hence, further preoperative patient counselling and technical considerations should be undertaken.

Ultrasound Guidance for Vascular Access for Coronary Angiogram: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Obtaining vascular access during percutaneous coronary intervention is necessary to facilitate the procedure but carries procedural risks that impact patient outcomes. Historically, vascular access has been accomplished using anatomic landmarks, pulsation, and/or fluoroscopic guidance. Ultrasound (US) guidance has emerged as a modality for achieving vascular access in a multitude of interventional procedures including those in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. US use has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses to be associated with an increased success rate for vascular access with fewer complications, although the data are mixed. We aimed to re-evaluate the totality of evidence in an updated meta-analysis to compare the ease of access and complications rates between US-guided and manual vascular access. A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials including 5,170 patients was performed. The primary outcome evaluated was the rate of access failure, and the secondary outcomes included hematomas and access site bleeding. US-guided arterial access was associated with a significantly higher rate of first-attempt success and a decreased risk of venipuncture. US use had a trend toward a lower total number of attempts, but the results were not significant. This updated meta-analysis further supports the use of US for vascular access for coronary angiography because of higher rates of first-attempt success and reduced venipuncture. However, there was no significant difference in vascular complications such as hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and bleeding complications. Because of the high morbidity of bleeding complications associated with coronary angiography, further research should be done to reduce these complications.