Long-term Patency Rates Research Articles

The Impact of Surgical Timing on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Arteriovenous FistulaCreation for Hemodialysis. A Meta-analysis

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation is the preferred method for vascular access in hemodialysis patients, offering better long-term patency, fewer complications, and lower infection rates compared to other options. However, the timing of AVF creation plays a critical role in determining outcomes. This meta-analysis examines the impact of surgical timing on AVF success, focusing on primary failure rates, maturation time, patency, and postoperative complications. Objectives: We sought to evaluate whether the timing of AVF creation impacts outcomes in hemodialysis patients and to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted from major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane) until 2024 that included data. We selected studies based on defined criteria, and assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Primary failure rates, maturation time, primary and secondary patency and postoperative complications were analyzed as outcomes. Heterogeneity was addressed with random effects models, and subgroup analyses were carried out on the basis of patient characteristics. Results: Early AVF creation (creating an AVF ≥ 6 months prior to dialysis initiation) was shown to reduced primary failure rate by 50%, shortened maturation time by 2 to 3 weeks and increase primary patency rates by up to 35%. Early AVF creation, on the other hand, was also accompanied by fewer postoperative complications, including infection and thrombosis, versus delayed AVF creation. Consistent benefits were seen for different patient profiles in subgroup analyses. Conclusion: Early AVF creation is associated with superior outcomes, including lower failure rates, quicker maturation, and fewer complications. These findings support early AVF as the preferred practice in hemodialysis care, enhancing long-term patient outcomes and quality of care.

Aspirin's Antiplatelet Effects Promote Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis, offering superior long-term patency and lower infection rates compared to other options. However, AVF maturation remains a significant challenge. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin in promoting AVF maturation and preventing failure in hemodialysis patients. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, PubMed, Cochrane, and ProQuest, was conducted from 2014 to 2024. Studies investigating the impact of aspirin on AVF maturation and failure were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 982 participants. Four studies indicated that aspirin significantly enhanced AVF maturation by increasing flow volume and promoting the development of a robust fistula. However, one study found that aspirin did not significantly reduce the risk of thrombosis or AVF failure. Conclusion: Aspirin appears to be a promising adjunct therapy for promoting AVF maturation in hemodialysis patients. Its antiplatelet effects, primarily through cyclooxygenase inhibition and reduced platelet activation, contribute to improved flow volume and fistula maturation. While the evidence for aspirin's role in preventing AVF failure is mixed, its potential benefits in enhancing maturation warrant further investigation.

Stent Placement After Percutaneous Recanalization of Superior Vena Cava Stenosis in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent placement after percutaneous recanalization of superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Adult maintenance hemodialysis patients hospitalized at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital due to SVC stenosis from January 2016 to June 2023 were prospectively included. The efficacy and safety of percutaneous blunt/sharp SVC recanalization combined with SVC stent placement were observed. The patients' demographic information and laboratory examination data, stent placement success rate, surgery-related complications, and long-term vascular access patency rate were also recorded and analyzed. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (2015-201) and registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (registry number: ChiCTR-ONN-16007790). A total of 58 patients were included in the study with an average age of 54.79±13.42 years. Percutaneous SVC recanalization was successful in 53 cases, with a success rate of 91.38%, including 37 cases of traditional recanalization and 16 cases of sharp recanalization. Among 53 hemodialysis patients who underwent SVC recanalization, 14 patients successfully received covered stents and 38 patients received bare metal stents, achieving a stent placement success rate of 98.1%. One patient encountered stent displacement into the heart immediately after implantation, causing intra-operative cardiac tamponade, who was successfully rescued by thoracotomy. Fifty-two patients were followed-up for median period of 26 months (cuffed catheter: 25 patients, arteriovenous fistula [AVF]: 27 patients). The overall 2-year vascular access patency rate was 33.2% (cuffed catheter: 22.2%, AVF: 41.7%, p=0.414). There was no statistically significant difference in the 2-year vascular access patency rate between the traditional recanalization group and the sharp recanalization group (34.1% vs 31.1%, p=0.731) and between bare metal stent group and covered stent group (38.1% vs 21.4%, p=0.248). Percutaneous SVC recanalization with stent placement is an effective treatment strategy that can provide viable vascular access for maintenance hemodialysis patients with SVC stenosis. Cautions should be paid to potential life-threatening complications such as stent displacement and cardiac tamponade. Superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis is a common central venous occlusive lesion in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Whether stent should be implanted simultaneously following SVC recanalization is still lacking research. This pilot cohort study suggested that percutaneous SVC recanalization with stent placement was an effective treatment strategy which provides satisfactory vascular access for hemodialysis. We further found that SVC sharp recanalization with subsequent stent implantation was a feasible treatment, with the 2-year vascular access patency comparable to the traditional SVC recanalization group. This study also highlighted endovascular SVC recanalization should be performed with caution, and appropriate balloon sizes should be selected to avoid SVC rupture or stent displacement.

Long-Term Patency Rates of Portal Vein/Superior Mesenteric Vein Reconstruction after Pancreatic Resection for Pancreatic Tumors: Single-Center Experience.

To achieve an R0 resection margin in patients with locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, high-volume pancreatic centers standardly incorporate portal vein or superior mesenteric vein resection. However, there is currently no consensus on the optimal reconstructive approach. Postoperative venous thrombosis or stenosis can significantly increase patient morbidity or mortality. The objective of this study was to report the long-term patency rate of portal/superior mesenteric vein reconstruction, as well as to identify potential predictors of postoperative venous thrombosis/stenosis. A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients undergoing pancreatic resection due to pancreatic tumor. The patency of the vascular reconstruction was assessed by routine surveillance using computed tomographic imaging at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. A total of 297 pancreatic resections were performed with 53 patients undergoing concomitant venous resection. Among these, 26.4% (N = 14) had primary closure, 22.7% (N = 12) underwent an end-to-end anastomosis, and 50.9% (N = 27) received an interposition graft reconstruction. At the 1-year follow up, 90.2% (N = 37) of patients with venous reconstruction had a fully patent vein. The analysis did not reveal any statistically significant perioperative or postoperative factors associated with an increased risk of reconstruction thrombosis. While our study confirms a high long-term patency rate of 90.2% at 1 year, it underscores the necessity for a randomized controlled trial to determine the optimal method of venous reconstruction in pancreatic surgery.

Spontaneous avulsion of left internal mammary artery graft a complication of coronary artery bypass surgery: case report and review of the literature

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a common procedure for managing multi-vessel coronary artery disease to revascularize the myocardium. Among the various conduits used, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is preferred due to its better long-term patency rate. However, CABG procedures involving LIMA may result in rare but serious complications, such as avulsion of the LIMA post-CABG, which leads to disruption of blood flow to the myocardium and the development of fatal cardiac tamponade.Case presentationWe hereby present a unique case of spontaneous avulsion of a LIMA graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) away from the site of anastomosis, twenty-four hours following CABG surgery in a 67-year-old male patient. Emergency re-exploration and repair of the LIMA with interposition vein graft were performed and resulted in successful stabilization of the patient’s critical condition. However, this was followed by a complicated recovery period involving atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, and wound infection.ConclusionAvulsion of LIMA graft following CABG is rare, yet a fatal complication that requires high clinical suspicion and prompt management. Avulsion has been reported a few times in literature following both minimal invasive and conventional CABG. Understanding the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of this complication is crucial to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

Construction and key technical points of arteriovenous graft fistula

Hemodialysis remains the main kidney replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease patients worldwide. When superficial veins are exhausted or arteriovenous fistula cannot be established, arteriovenous graft fistula should be selected as the permanent dialysis access. The article elaborates on the process of arteriovenous graft fistula construction, including many technical aspects, such as preoperative evaluation, surgical plan, graft selection, preoperative preparation, and surgical procedure, which are related to surgical outcomes, complications, and long-term patency rate.

Application of arterio-arterial grafts access in hemodialysis

Patients who underwent arterio-arterial graft (AAG) surgery at Beijing Haidian Hospital from March 2021 to December 2023 were prospectively included. A total of 13 cases (6 males and 7 females) aged (59±13) years were collected, with a dialysis history of 4.0 (1.8, 10.0) years. Nine cases of "bow"-type AAG and 4 cases of "α"-type AAG were established. The follow-up time was 10 (7, 16) months. The primary patency and secondary patency rates at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery were 92.3% and 100%, 81.8% and 90.9%, 57.1% and 57.1%, respectively. Stenosis, thrombosis and infection occurred in 2, 5 and 2 cases, respectively. The current study indicates that AAG surgery is simple, minimally invasive, and has a high long-term patency rate. It can be used as a new type of vascular access for patients who fail to establish conventional dialysis access.

Nonreversed great saphenous vein grafts for vascular reconstruction after resection of lower-limb sarcoma

ObjectiveReversed great saphenous vein (GSV) graft is widely used for revascularization in limb-sparing surgery for sarcoma invading great vessels. However, a mismatch in caliber between the reverse graft and the cut end of the artery can threaten graft patency. Recently, we introduced the use of a venous valvulotome to allow non-reversed GSV graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and versatility of this technique. DesignWe retrospectively compared long-term patency and limb salvage rates between non-reversed GSV and reversed GSV in patients undergoing limb-sparing surgery for sarcoma. MethodsThirty-seven patients were included, with 21 in the non-reversed GSV group and 16 in the reversed GSV group. Patient characteristics, surgical details, and complications were reviewed from the hospital records. The patency of reconstructed vessels was assessed by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Statistical analyses, including Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, were employed for comparisons. ResultsThe median follow-up was 38 months. Overall graft patency was 90.4% (19 of 21 patients) in the non-reversed GSV group and 81.2% (13 of 16) in the reversed RGSV group. In the non-reversed GSV group, there was one case of graft occlusion each in the acute phase and chronic phase, but limb circulation remained intact and all limbs were spared. ConclusionNon-reversed GSV grafting with a valvulotome offers a safe and versatile alternative to reversed GSV grafts in limb-sparing sarcoma surgery. It eliminates the need for vein reversal and minimizes diameter mismatch, potentially expanding the indication for autologous revascularization in previously ineligible cases.

Feasibility and long-term outcomes of hepatic vein recanalization in Budd-Chiari syndrome through intrahepatic collateral pathways.

To investigate the feasibility and long-term outcomes of hepatic vein (HV) recanalization using intrahepatic collateral pathways in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with HV obstruction. Clinical data of 29 BCS patients with HV obstruction and intrahepatic collateral pathways were reviewed. All patients underwent HV recanalization through the intrahepatic collaterals. Follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment and annually thereafter. Cumulative patency and survival rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. The independent predictors of patency were determined using a Cox regression model. HV recanalization was successful in 28 of the 29 patients (96.6%), with no complications. Of the 28 cases, simultaneous recanalization of the accessory HV and right HV was achieved in 11 patients, accessory HV and middle HV in six, accessory HV and left HV in three, right HV and middle HV in five, and left HV and middle HV in three. Twenty-eight patients were followed from 4 to 87 (mean, 53.6 ± 26.7) months after treatment, and six patients developed reocclusion. The overall cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year primary HV patency rates were 96.3, 82.9, 74.6, and 59.7%, respectively. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 100, 95.8, 95.8, and 86.3%, respectively. Interventional treatment of HV obstruction in BCS patients through intrahepatic collateral approaches is well tolerated and feasible and can result in excellent long-term patency and survival rates.

Efficiency and safety of microvascular anastomotic coupler for wrist revascularization in traumatic injuries

IntroductionEffective vascular anastomosis is crucial for successful hand surgery, particularly in traumatic injuries where rapid restoration of blood flow is essential. The Synovis microvascular anastomotic coupler system presents a novel approach by potentially offering faster and more reliable outcomes than traditional suturing methods. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of the Synovis coupler for microvascular anastomoses in the wrist, evaluating anastomosis time, patency rates, and complication rates. MethodsThis retrospective study examined 25 microvascular anastomoses (22 arteries and 3 veins) in 24 patients at a major trauma center. The primary outcomes measured were anastomosis time and vascular patency, which were assessed immediately post-operation and at subsequent follow-ups. ResultsThe average time required for anastomosis using the coupler was 7.3 min. Immediate post-operative vascular patency was 100%, with a long-term patency rate of 88%. Complications included arterial narrowing at the coupler site in 3 arteries, and complete occlusion in 3 arteries, accounting for a 12% long-term complication rate. ConclusionAlthough the Synovis coupler demonstrated a significant reduction in anastomosis time and high patency rates, our data suggest that its effectiveness is more pronounced in venous anastomoses. The higher complication rates in arterial anastomoses warrant cautious use in these cases. Further research, including prospective randomized controlled trials, is needed to validate these findings and optimize patient selection criteria for using couplers in microvascular surgery.

Clipless internal mammary artery harvesting for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting using the shear-tip harmonic scalpel.

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is the most commonly used graft in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of its superior long-term patency rate. However, its small diameter poses challenges in handling, and any vascular damage that may occur during harvesting can significantly affect surgical outcomes. The primary focus during IMA harvesting is to ensure safe and effective hemostasis without direct vascular injury, while ensuring secure and reliable ligation of the vascular branches. Various methods using multiple surgical instruments have been used for this purpose. Unlike traditional instruments, the shear-tip Harmonic scalpel offers more precise vessel branching control, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. In this study, we assessed the utility of the shear-tip Harmonic scalpel in patients undergoing minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICABG). From April 2019 to May 2023, a total of 40 patients underwent MICABG. The IMA was harvested using the shear-tip Harmonic scalpel with a clipless skeletonized technique. In this cohort, 5 patients underwent complete endoscopic harvesting, while 34 patients underwent direct visualization harvesting through minimal thoracotomy. Graft patency was assessed by measuring a Doppler flowmeter in the bypass conduit. Successful graft patency was achieved in all patients. The mean duration of IMA harvesting was 87 min. In total, 38 of the 40 patients underwent MICABG without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, ensuring a stable procedure. There were no graft-related events or complications observed in any of the patients, and all were discharged without any issues. During a median follow-up period of 15.2 months, only one patient experienced graft occlusion necessitating intervention. The utilization of shear-tip Harmonic scalpel for IMA harvesting in MICABG is feasible and yields stable early results.

Pivotal Role of Duplex Ultrasonography on Arteriovenous Fistula for Hemodialysis Access

The global incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is rising, amounting to more than 800 million individuals are suffered, in line with the rise of the number of patients undergoing hemodialysis as treatment modalities. Hemodialysis requires vascular access, and the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access is considered the most ideal vascular access option due to its long-term patency and low complication rate compared to other access options. However, up to one-third of hospital admissions for ESRD patients are caused by AVF dysfunction, which is also one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients. AVF creation requires careful pre- and post-operative evaluation to ensure the vascular access maturation and patency. While the latest guidelines have not explicitly emphasized the role of vascular mapping and surveillance, routine duplex ultrasonography before and after AVF creation procedures holds great potential advantages to ensure the success of AV access for hemodialysis.

Percutaneous Endovascular Reconstruction of the Common Femoral Artery and Its Bifurcation.

Occlusive lesions of the common femoral artery (CFA) and its bifurcation have traditionally been treated with open surgery. Although long-term patency rates after open surgery are excellent, such repairs are associated with substantial local and general morbidity. In recent years, different treatment options have emerged within percutaneous endovascular repair. We hereby present a narrative review on endovascular treatment modalities and a treatment algorithm for endovascular revascularisation of the CFA and its bifurcation. Lesion analysis, access issues, vessel preparation tools, and types of repairs with or without the involvement of the bifurcation are described. Based on current data, an interventional approach can result in high technical success and acceptable mid-term patency rates. Further comparative evidence with open surgery and/or between the different types of endovascular repairs is required to improve the current treatment algorithm.

Femoral vein translocation for complex hemodialysis access

ObjectiveVascular access is difficult in patients without suitable arm veins and prior graft infections. The use of femoral vein translocation (FVT) to the upper extremity or contralateral lower extremity for hemodialysis access may be associated with low infection rates and high patency rates. FVT is used for patients without central venous occlusion who have failed prior access either owing to graft infection or repetitive graft thrombosis. The largest case series consists of 30 cases. The objective of this study is to determine the infection incidence, primary patency, primary-assisted patency, and secondary patency rates among FVTs. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent FVT by a single vascular practice over a 10-year period (2013-2023). Study variables included length to last follow-up (months), prior access, prior graft infection, comorbid conditions, primary patency, primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, postoperative steal syndrome, postoperative graft infection, postoperative harvest site complication, and postoperative lower extremity compartment syndrome. ResultsA total of 131 FVTs were performed from 2013 to 2023; 126 patients (47% male, 53% female; 76% Black, 24% White) with a mean age of 52 ± 14 years and a mean body mass index of 29 ± 8 had at least 1 month of follow-up and were included for analysis. The median follow-up was 46 months (interqurtile range, 19-72 months). The mean number of prior permanent accesses was 2.5 ± 1.4. Forty-eight percent of patients had prior graft infections. The primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates were 66%, 93%, and 98%, respectively, at 6 months; 43%, 85%, and 96% at 12 months; 25%, 70%, and 92% at 24 months; 16%, 61%, and 88% at 36 months; and 14%, 56%, and 82% at 48 months. Postoperative steal syndrome and postoperative access infection requiring excision was observed 16% and 5% of patients, respectively. Harvest site complications requiring an additional procedure occurred in 19% of cases. Three patients developed lower extremity compartment syndrome postoperatively, requiring fasciotomy. Six patients developed chronic lower extremity edema after femoral vein harvest. The mean procedure time and hospital length of stay were 197 ± 40 minutes and 3.5 ± 2.8 days, respectively. ConclusionsFVT is associated with low infection rates and high long-term patency rates. Significant postoperative complications include steal syndrome and harvest site complications. FVT remains a viable option for patients who have failed prior access owing to graft infection or repetitive graft thrombosis.

Viabahn stent graft for arterial injury management: safety, technical success, and long-term outcome

BackgroundThe Viabahn stent graft has emerged as an integral tool for managing vascular diseases, but there is limited long-term data on its performance in emergency endovascular treatment. This study aimed to assess safety, technical success, and long-term efficacy of the Viabahn stent graft in emergency treatment of arterial injury.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective single tertiary centre analysis of patients who underwent Viabahn emergency arterial injury treatment between 2015 and 2020. Indication, intraoperative complications, technical and clinical success, and major adverse events at 30 days were evaluated. Secondary efficacy endpoints were the primary and secondary patency rates assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsForty patients (71 ± 13 years, 19 women) were analyzed. Indications for Viabahn emergency treatment were extravasation (65.0%), arterio-venous fistula (22.5%), pseudoaneurysm (10.0%), and arterio-ureteral fistula (2.5%). No intraoperative adverse events occurred, technical and clinical success rates were 100%. One acute stent graft occlusion occurred in the popliteal artery on day 9, resulting in a 30-day device-related major-adverse-event rate of 2.5%. Median follow-up was 402 days [IQR, 43–1093]. Primary patency rate was 97% (95% CI: 94–100) in year 1, and 92% (95% CI: 86–98) from years 2 to 6. One stent graft occlusion occurred in the external iliac artery at 18 months; successful revascularization resulted in secondary patency rates of 97% (95% CI: 94–100) from years 1 to 6.ConclusionUsing Viabahn stent graft in emergency arterial injury treatment had 100% technical and clinical success rates, a low 30-day major-adverse-event rate of 2.5%, and excellent long-term patency rates.

A new treatment modality for the treatment of unligated thoracic side branch of left internal mammary artery: Underexpanded stent

The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is often preferred in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). LIMA has additional features such as less fenestration in the endothelial layer, less intercellular permeability, anti-thrombotic activity, rapid lipolysis, and less lipid synthesis, resulting in an excellent long-term patency rate. LIMA side branches or anatomical variations that are not ligated intraoperatively may cause coronary ischemia in the postoperative period. Although various treatment modalities such as coiling, vascular plug embolization, and surgical ligation have been described in treating LIMA side branches, no studies show the superiority of one treatment modality over another. In this case, the advantages, disadvantages, and critical points affecting the success of unligated LIMA side branches treatment methods were discussed.

Long-Term Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for Arteriovenous Fistula Outflow Stenosis Caused by Venous Valve

Introduction: Venous valve-related stenosis (VVRS) is an uncommon type of failure of arteriovenous fistula among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There is a paucity of data on the long-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for VVRS. Methods: ESRD patients who underwent PTA because of VVRS between January 2017 and December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled. Patients were classified into three cohorts (cohort1, VVRS located within 3 cm of the vein adjacent to the anastomosis; cohort2, VVRS located over 3 cm away from the anastomosis; cohort3, multiple stenoses). The patency rates were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify the risk factors. Results: A total of 292 patients were enrolled, including 125 (42.8%), 111 (38.0%), and 56 (19.2%) patients in cohort1, cohort2, and cohort3, respectively. The median follow-up was 34.8 months. The 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year primary patency rates were 86.0%, 69.4%, 47.5%, and 35.3%, respectively. The secondary patency rates were 94.5%, 89.4%, 75.5%, and 65.3%, respectively. Cohort1 showed a relatively better primary patency compared to cohort2 and cohort3. The secondary patency rates were comparable in the three cohorts. Duration of dialysis and VVRS type were potential factors associated with primary patency. Conclusions: This study showed acceptable long-term primary and secondary patency rates after PTA for VVRS in ESRD patients, especially for those with VVRS located within 3 cm of the vein adjacent to the anastomosis.

A Case of Winching technique: A practical approach for insuperable chronicaly occluded indwelling iliac venous stents

Chronic iliac vein occlusions and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) are the major sources of life affecting symptomatic iliocaval venous obstruction contributing to the morbidity of chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension. Venous stenting is a treatment option for the management of PTS. Despite dedicated venous recanalization technologies, long-term patency rates of venous stents are still a matter of debate. Beside that, salvage of an occluded stent could be problematic or even impossible. It may be challenging to advance the balloon catheter distally to the occlusion, even after the lesion has been crossed with a guide wire. Here we describe a new technique for overcoming such difficult bottlenecks. In a supine patient, despite successful wire-recanalization of the vena cava, achieved after a popliteal access, the balloon catheter could not be passed through an occluded iliac vein stent and towards the vena cava. Consequently, the tip of the 260 cm wire, was retrieved with a snare from the vena cava and externalized through sheath inserted in the right jugular vein. Two separate balloon catheters were loaded over the two ends of the through and through guide wire and torque devices were used to lock at their exit ports. Occluded segments were afterwards crossed with the novel ‘Winching technique’ by pulling the balloon catheter instead of pushing it. We believe that this technique can speed up and facilitate the procedure for the occlusions that can be laborious to reanalyze by conventional methods.

Clinical Outcomes at 3 Years After Stenting for Thrombotic and Non-thrombotic Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome Patients.

Iliac vein stenting for the treatment of iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) has been gradually developed. This article investigated the long-term patency and improvement of clinical symptoms after endovascular stenting for iliac vein obstruction patients. From 2020 to 2022, 83 patients at a single institution with IVCS underwent venous stent implantation and were divided into two groups: non-thrombotic IVCS (n = 55) and thrombotic IVCS (n = 28). The main stent-related outcomes include technical success, long-term patency, and thrombotic events. The technical success rate of all stent implantation was 100%. The mean length of hospital stay and cost were higher in the thrombotic IVCS group than in the non-thrombotic ICVS group, as well as the length of diseased vessel segment and the number of stents implanted were higher than in the control non-thrombotic group. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates were 85.4%, 80% and 66.7% in the thrombosis group, which were lower than 93.6%, 88.7%, and 87.5% in the control group (P = .0135, hazard ratio = 2.644). In addition, patients in both groups had a foreign body sensation after stent implantation, which resolved spontaneously within 1 year after surgery. Overall, there were statistically significant differences in long-term patency rate outcome between patients with thrombotic and non-thrombotic IVCS, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates in non-thrombotic IVCS patients were higher than those in thrombotic IVCS patients.

Percutaneous Ureteral Stent Insertion in Patients with Benign Uretero-Ileal Anastomosis Strictures Who Underwent Radical Cystectomy: Assessing Risk Factors for Stent Patency.

We aimed to investigate the risk factors of early double-J ureteral stent (DJUS) dysfunction rates and the long-term patency of DJUSs inserted via a percutaneous approach in patients with benign uretero-ileal anastomosis stricture (UIAS) who had undergone radical cystectomy. In this retrospective study, 63 DJUS placements were placed via a percutaneous nephrostomy tract in 42 consecutive patients between May 2020 and March 2023. The technical success rate was 100% in all patients without major complications. The early dysfunction rate and long-term patency rate were 38.1% (24/63) and 84.2% (32/38), respectively. The blood clot retention grade, balloon dilatation, and length of the ureteral stricture exhibited a significant correlation with early DJUS dysfunction (blood clot retention grade: odds ratio (OR) 6.922 in grade two, p = 0.009; balloon dilatation: OR 0.186, p = 0.017; length of ureteral stricture: OR 8.715, p = 0.035 in moderate stenosis, and 7.646, p = 0.028 in severe stenosis). A multivariate Cox's proportional hazard analysis revealed that blood clot retention grade and length of ureteral stricture were independent predictors of long-term DJUS patency. Percutaneous insertion of the DJUSs was safe and effective in patients with benign UIAS.