Procedural Success Rate Research Articles

Intracardiac vs transesophageal echocardiography for left atrial appendage occlusion: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMultiple studies continue to evaluate the use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for guiding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to conduct an updated meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness and safety outcomes of both imaging modalities. MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for studies comparing ICE vs TEE to guide LAAO. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. The primary effectiveness endpoint was procedural success. The primary safety endpoint included the overall complications rate. Additional safety outcomes were assessed as secondary endpoints. Subgroup analysis of primary endpoints was conducted according to device type (Amulet, LAmbre, Watchman, Watchman FLX) and study region (American, Asia, Europe). R Version 4.3.1 was used for all statistical analyses. ResultsOur meta-analysis included 19 observational studies encompassing 42,474 patients, of whom 4415 (10.4%) underwent ICE-guided LAAO. Compared with TEE, ICE was associated with a marginally higher procedural success (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.01–1.76; P = .04; I2 = 0%). There was no significant difference in the overall complications rate (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.77–1.36; P = .89; I2 = 5%). However, ICE showed higher rates of pericardial effusion (OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.47–3.03; P <.001; I2 = 0%) and residual iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15–2.03; P <.004; I2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis revealed variations in procedural success within the ICE group across study regions (P = .02). ConclusionIn this updated meta-analysis, the increasing adoption of ICE-guided LAAO demonstrated higher procedural success rates compared to TEE, although with limited statistical significance. Overall complication rates were similar; however, ICE showed higher rates of pericardial effusion and residual iASD.

Surgical technical experience of adult aortic coarctation concomitant with poststenotic aneurysm or dissection.

Aortic coarctation (COA) in adults combined with poststenotic aneurysm (PA) or poststenotic dissection (PD) is rare and challenging to manage. The existence of multiple factors such as kinking, comorbidities, previous surgical history, and descending aortic lesions increases the difficulty of treatment, and there are currently few clinical reports. The purpose of this study was to present our surgical experience in dealing with such patients. A retrospective study was conducted on 20 consecutive patients with COA combined with PA or PD who were treated in our center from December 2015 to April 2019. The basic principles, methods, and short- and mid-term prognosis of surgery are present carefully. This paper introduces the individualized treatment scheme as well as its advantages and disadvantages in detail. The condition of the included patients was complicated, including 12 cases of PA and 8 of PD. Although different surgical schemes were adopted, procedural success rate was 100%. There were no other surgical complications except 2 cases of anastomotic bleeding and 1 case of spinal cord injury. The results of computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated that 9 cases achieved anatomical correction, 10 cases of PA or PD were eliminated or thrombosed to varying degrees, and only 1 case of PA had no obvious change. Up to the follow-up period, except for 1 patient who had a slight cerebrovascular accident and 1 who had no change in PA underwent cheatham platinum (CP) stent surgery, no other cardiovascular adverse events occurred and all patients recovered well. The optimal surgical strategy developed collaboratively by cardiac surgeons and endovascular specialists has achieved satisfactory short- and mid-term results for COA patients combined with PA or PD. Further research is still necessary, due to the limited number of cases.

Combined Use of MITRACLIP and Ventricular ASSIST Devices in Cardiogenic Shock: MITRA-ASSIST Registry.

Background: Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and mitral regurgitation (MI) have a prohibitive risk that contraindicates surgical treatment. Although the feasibility of transcatheter edge-to-edge therapy (TEER) has been demonstrated in this setting, the benefit of the combined use of TEER with mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS) has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of TEER in patients with MCS. Methods: The MITRA-ASSIST study is a retrospective multicentre Spanish registry that included patients with MR and CS who underwent TEER in combination with MCS. The primary endpoint was death from any cause at 12 months. The secondary endpoint was a composite of death from any cause or hospitalisation for heart failure at 12 months. Results: A total of twenty-four patients in nine high-volume Spanish centres (66.2 (51-82) years, 70.8% female, EuroSCORE II 20.4 ± 17.8) were included. Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction was the main CS aetiology (56%), and the most implanted MCS was the intra-aortic balloon pump (82.6%), followed by ECMO (8.7%), IMPELLACP® (4.3%), or a combination of both (4.3%). Procedural success was 95.8%, with 87.5% in-hospital survival. At 12-month follow-up, 25.0% of patients died, and 33.3% had a composite event of death from any cause or hospitalisation for heart failure. Conclusions: TEER in patients with concomitant CS and MR who require MCS appears to be a promising therapeutic alternative with a high device procedural success rate and acceptable mortality and heart failure readmission rates at follow-up.

Optimal timing of staged percutaneous coronary intervention after subintimal tracking and re-entry: Rationale and design of the subintimal tracking and re-entry with deferred stenting study.

Ten to fifteen percent of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are unsuccessful in contemporary practice. Subintimal tracking and re-entry (STAR) (one form of "investment procedure") with staged reattempt and stenting may further increase the ultimate success and safety of CTO as a bailout strategy. The optimal timing for staged stenting after STAR is unknown. We designed a six-center, prospective randomized trial with a planned enrollment of 150 patients where STAR is utilized in case of impending failure. The primary aim is to evaluate the optimal timing of the staged PCI after STAR by randomizing the timing to earlier (5-7 weeks) versus later (12-14 weeks) staged PCI. The primary endpoint of the study is the technical success rate of the staged procedure. The secondary endpoints include: (1) the rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow at the start of staged intervention, (2) rate of partial technical and procedural success of the staged procedure, (3) rate of in-hospital and 12-month major cardiac and cerebrovascular adverse events, and (4) change in patient-reported quality at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months assessed by Seattle Angina Questionnaire. This study will ascertain the optimal timing of staged stenting after bail-out STAR approach in contemporary CTO PCI (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05089864).

Management of complications associated with percutaneous left atrial appendage closure with or without ablation: experience from 512 cases over a 4-year period.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) serves as an alternative prophylactic strategy for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who cannot undergo anti-coagulation therapy. Proper management of associated complications is crucial to enhancing the procedure's success rate and mitigating perioperative risks and adverse events during follow-up. This study aims to summarize our center's experience and strategies in managing procedural-related complications encountered in 512 cases of LAAC with or without ablation for AF conducted from January 2020 to December 2023. We identified 11 significant intervention-requiring complications associated with LAAC with or without Ablation procedure. These included three cases of intraoperative thrombosis, three instances of pericardial effusion or tamponade, one case of device-related thrombosis, one peri-device leak, one systemic embolism, one bleeding episode, and one additional device-related complication. The categorization of intraoperative thrombosis was as follows: one patient exhibited heparin resistance; one experienced thrombosis due to prolonged device implantation during the LAAC with ablation procedure; and one had unexplained intraoperative thrombosis. The pericardial effusion or tamponade likely resulted from damage to the atrial appendage during LAAC device insertion. Two patients encountered device-related thrombosis and systemic embolism events possibly caused by non-standard postoperative antithrombotic medication use; one patient's peri-device leak may have resulted from incomplete endothelialization of the occluder post-surgery; one patient experienced postoperative bladder bleeding; and one patient's device-related complications occurred due to a dislodged strut frame that damaged the left atrial appendage, leading to pericardial effusion. Our proactive interventions enabled all patients with these surgical-related complications to be safely discharged, with subsequent follow-ups showing no adverse events. Implementing targeted interventions for immediate procedural-related complications during the LAAC with or without ablation procedures enhances procedural success rates, diminishes postoperative mortality and patient disability, and bolsters stroke prevention efforts. This approach underscores the importance of a strategic response to complications, affirming the procedure's viability and safety in managing non-valvular AF in patients contraindicated for anticoagulation.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on left atrial appendage occlusion: A meta-analysis of procedural outcomes and complications.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience atrial fibrillation more frequently. The balance of medical management for stroke prevention and bleeding events presents a challenging issue in CKD population. Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) may be an effective solution for stroke prevention in patients who experience frequent bleeding with oral anticoagulants. However, the specific impact of CKD on the procedural success, complications, and outcomes of LAAO implantations remains underexplored. We conducted a search of various databases for articles published before October 31, 2023. This search yielded 7 studies, comparing outcomes between CKD and non-CKD cohorts undergoing LAAO implantation. Our analysis focused on CHA2DS2-VASc scores, average eGFR, use of oral anticoagulants, procedural success rates, procedural complications, and associated outcomes. The meta-analysis included data from 2576 patients, with 1131 identified as having CKD. The CKD group also had higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores (4.7 ± 1.4 vs 4.0 ± 1.5; P < .001) and HAS-BLED scores (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.1 ± 1.0; P < .001) than the non-CKD group. CKD patients showed a nonreduction in procedural success rates and a nonsignificant increase in total complications. The risks of stroke and transient ischemic attack, major bleeding, and cardiovascular mortality were not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, a significantly lower rate of total mortality was observed in the non-CKD group (odds ratio: 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.60). While CKD is associated with a nonsignificant decrease in procedural success and a nonsignificant increase in complication risks, the outcomes of LAAO implantation are comparably favorable between CKD and non-CKD groups. Despite similar procedural outcomes, the CKD group exhibited a higher rate of all-cause mortality.

Endoscopic resection for gastric submucosal tumors: A single-center experience in Japan.

Endoscopic resection (ER) for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) has gained prominence in recent years, with studies emerging from various countries. However, there is a paucity of reports from Japan. We aimed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of ER for gastric SMT in Japan. In this retrospective observational study, we investigated the outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent ER for gastric SMT from January 2017 to May 2023. The outcome variables assessed included the complete resection rate, procedure time, closure-related outcomes, and the incidence of adverse events. A total of 13 patients were included in the analysis. The median procedure time was 163 (55-283) min. Complete full-thickness resection was performed in seven cases, while in four cases, the serosa remained, and in two cases, the outer layer of the muscularis propria remained. In two cases where the SMT was located on the anterior side, conversion to laparoscopic surgery became necessary, resulting in a procedural success rate of 84.6% (11/13). Excluding these two cases, endoscopic closure of the defect was successfully accomplished in the remaining 11 cases. R0 resection was achieved in 12 out of 13 cases (92.3%). Although one patient had peritonitis, which was successfully treated conservatively, no other treatment-related adverse events were encountered. Although ER for SMT on the anterior side may be challenging, our experience revealed that ER is a safe and efficacious approach for gastric SMT.

Prevalence and Classification of C-Shaped Canal and Radix in Mandibular Molars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography on Mexican Population.

The diverse morphological configurations in teeth present clinical challenges in root canal treatment, complicating instrumentation and irrigation processes, which can lead to treatment failure. Understanding anatomical variations, such as C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris, enhances clinical skills and improves long-term endodontic treatment success rates. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers superior diagnostic capabilities over conventional radiography, enabling the pre-operative detection of root configurations and canal numbers, facilitating personalized endodontic treatments. A total of 2173 teeth of a Mexican population, including 1057 first mandibular molars and 1116 s mandibular molars, were studied using only CBCT to identify C-shaped canals and radix configurations of patients who were treated from 2018 to 2023 at the Department of Radiology at the Faculty of Dentistry, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Mexico. C-shaped canals were identified in 160 teeth, with a prevalence of 0.2% in first mandibular molars and 14.1% in second mandibular molars. The highest frequency was in the left second mandibular molar (3.7) at 14.8%. Gender differences were significant, with higher prevalence in females (27.3%) compared to males (13.3%). The most common C-shaped canal configuration was type C2 (39.3%). Radix entomolaris was found in 52 teeth, with a prevalence of 3.4% in first mandibular molars and 1.4% in second mandibular molars. This research on a Mexican population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) highlights significant findings in the prevalence and types of C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris in mandibular molars for this population. The left second mandibular molar (3.7) showed the highest prevalence at 14.8%, followed closely by the right second mandibular molar (4.7) at 13.5%, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canals between genders (p = 0.004, OR 1.78). Additionally, radix entomolaris (p < 0.001) was more frequently identified in first mandibular molars to a significant degree. These insights underscore the importance of CBCT in diagnosing complex root anatomies, which can greatly enhance the success rates of endodontic procedures by allowing for more tailored and precise treatments for this population.

Novel interventions on the tricuspid valve: how to consider the pulmonary circulation?

This review addresses treatment options for moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation and the importance of right ventricular function and the pulmonary circulation. Several interventional treatment options for severe tricuspid regurgitation have been developed including transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, annuloplasty and valve replacement. So far, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is most frequently used with procedural success rates of more than 95% and improvements in functional and quality of life parameters for up to 2 years. Right ventricular function as well as pulmonary artery pressure and resistance levels are important outcome predictors. Mean pulmonary artery pressure more than 30 mmHg, transpulmonary gradient more than 17 mmHg and right ventricular to pulmonary artery coupling ratio less than 0.406 indicate poor outcome. Despite the remarkable safety of interventional treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation right ventricular dysfunction and abnormal pulmonary hemodynamics are important determinants of procedural success and clinical outcome.Complete hemodynamic work-up should be an integral part of prerepair assessment although validated data predicting outcome are limited.

Integrating Patient-Reported Outcomes in the Evaluation of Breast Implant Satisfaction and Quality of Life

With a focus on aesthetic and reconstructive services, PROs have become even more important in assessing the success rate of procedures. More specifically, the current study looks into the use of PROs to gauge patient quality of life and satisfaction with breast implants. Accordingly, patients may not be content with their care because typical measures based on a proportion of fatalities, morbidity/mortality rates, or other consequences following treatment do not necessarily provide the complete picture. It is recognized that including PROs could assist healthcare practitioners with patient satisfaction insights that conventional measurements must precisely record. Among the frequently employed tools is the Breast-Q, which assesses many domains, such as satisfaction with the physical, psychological, and sexual aspects of the breast's appearance. Because of this, research has shown that incorporating these indicators is crucial for evaluating the perceived surgical outcomes, which show improved life quality and psychosocial elements and enhanced satisfaction with the appearance of the treated body area. However, physical discomfort and other adverse effects might sometimes be felt as tightness or pain that are difficult to quantify with traditional medical testing. When PROs are used in the clinic, a more thorough picture of the patient's functioning domains is provided, which enables the doctor to help the patient manage their post-operative pain or consult with a specialist about psychiatric issues. PROs can also strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians by allowing patients to participate in creating their treatment plans, which guarantees that the plans are tailored to the patients' needs and preferences. Therefore, we must stress the significance of PROs, especially in assessing patient satisfaction with breast implants and their overall quality of life. Carotenemia SC identified areas of strength and need for improvement from the perspective of subjective constructs to enhance process quality improvement in breast implant surgery for the benefit of patients.

Association between high-density mapping of atypical atrial flutter, clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Success of atypical atrial flutter (AAFL) ablation has historically been limited by difficulty mapping the complex re-entrant circuits involved. While high-density (HD) mapping has become commonplace in clinical practice, there are limited data on outcomes of HD versus non-HD mapping for AAFL ablation. To compare clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization using HD mapping versus non-HD mapping for AAFL ablation. Retrospective analysis of all AAFL procedures between 2005 and 2022 at an academic medical center was conducted. Procedures utilizing a 16-electrode HD Grid catheter and Precision mapping system were compared to procedures using prior generation 10-20 electrode spiral catheters and the Velocity system (Abbott, IL). Cox regression models and Poisson regression models were utilized to examine procedural and healthcare utilization outcomes. Models were adjusted for left ventricular ejection fraction, CHA2DS2-VASc, and history of prior ablation. There were 108 patients (62% HD mapping) included in the analysis. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between groups. Use of HD mapping was associated with a higher rate of AAFL circuit delineation (92.5% vs. 76%; p = .014) and a greater adjusted procedure success rate, defined as non-inducibility at procedure end, (aRR (95% CI) 1.26 (1.02-1.55) p = .035) than non-HD mapping. HD mapping was also associated with a lower rate of ED visits (aIRR (95% CI) 0.32 (0.14-0.71); p = .007) and hospitalizations (aIRR (95% CI) 0.32 (0.14-0.68); p = .004) for AF/AFL/HF through 1 year. While there was a lower rate of recurrent AFL through 1 year among HD mapping cases (aHR (95% CI) 0.60 (0.31-1.16) p = .13), statistical significance was not met likely due to the low sample size and higher rate of ambulatory rhythm monitoring in the HD group (61% vs. 39%, p = .025). Compared to non-HD mapping, AAFL ablation with HD mapping is associated with improvements in the ability to define the AAFL circuit, greater procedural success, and a reduction in the number of ED visits and hospitalization for AF/AFL/HF.

Contemporary Trends and Outcomes of Intravascular Lithotripsy in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From BMC2

BackgroundWith an aging population and an increase in the comorbidity burden of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the management of coronary calcification for optimal PCI is critical in contemporary practice. ObjectivesThis study sought to examine the trends and outcomes of coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), rotational/orbital atherectomy, or both among patients who underwent PCI in Michigan. MethodsWe included all PCIs between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, performed at 48 Michigan hospitals. Outcomes included in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and procedural success. ResultsIVL was used in 1,090 patients (2.57%), atherectomy was used in 1,743 (4.10%) patients, and both were used in 240 patients (0.57% of all PCIs). IVL use increased from 0.04% of PCI cases in January 2021 to 4.28% of cases in June 2022, ultimately exceeding the rate of atherectomy use. The rate of MACEs (4.3% vs 5.4%; P = 0.23) and procedural success (89.4% vs 89.1%; P = 0.88) were similar among patients treated with IVL compared with atherectomy, respectively. Only 15.6% of patients treated with IVL in contemporary practice were similar to the population enrolled in the pivotal IVL trials. Among such patients (n = 169), the rate of MACEs (0.0%) and procedural success (94.7%) were similar to the outcomes reported in the pivotal IVL trials. ConclusionsSince its introduction in February 2021, coronary IVL use has steadily increased, exceeding atherectomy use in Michigan by February 2022. Contemporary use of IVL and atherectomy is generally associated with high rates of procedural success and low rates of complications.

Contrast-enhanced excimer laser stepwise approach during PCI for resistant coronary lesions.

The treatment of resistant coronary lesions (RCL) is a great challenge for interventional cardiologists. The excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) is a plaque modification tool based on a main mechanism of photomechanical effect leading to mechanical disruption of the plaque. Contrast dye injection during laser delivery has demonstrated to enhance its power. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the contrast-enhanced ELCA by a stepwise approach in the treatment of RCLs. We retrospectively examined consecutive patients undergoing contrast-enhanced ELCA-assisted PCI between 2018 and 2021 at two Italian sites. RCLs were defined as novo or in-stent undilatable/uncrossable with conventional balloons (SC/NC balloon). The primary endpoint was ELCA technical success defined as the laser catheter crossing the entire length of the target lesion established by angiographic evidence of the catheter tip in the artery distal to the stenosis. We enrolled 114 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced ELCA-assisted PCI: 58% of the patients had acute coronary syndrome while the left anterior descending artery was the target vessel in 42.1% of cases. The target lesion was most commonly in-stent (56.2%). The 0.9 mm ELCA catheter tip was employed in 89.5% of cases. The most used frequency/fluency profile was 70/70 (39.5%). The use of contrast-enhanced ELCA was associated with high technical, procedural, and clinical success rates (97.4%, 93.7%, and 90.1%, respectively). The contrast-enhanced ELCA seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for the management of both de novo and in-stent-resistant coronary lesions.

The Feasibility, Safety and Middle Term Clinical Outcome Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention among Elderly Aged &lt;75 Years versus ≥75 Years in a High Intravascular Imaging Usage Centre

Background: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is common among elderly patients, yet data on their outcomes with CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain limited. Understanding the feasibility, safety and clinical outcomes of CTO-PCI in this population is crucial for optimal care. The present study aimed to evaluate these aspects in elderly patients aged &lt;75 versus ≥75 years. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-eight patients who underwent CTO-PCI at a single Japanese centre, categorised into two groups: &lt;75 and ≥75 years old, were retrospectively analysed. Demographics, clinical factors, angiography and procedure data were collected. Follow-up data were obtained from electronic health records. The primary outcome measure was target lesion failure (TLF) at 1-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and multivariable Cox-regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of TLF. Results: 68.6% were &lt;75 years old and 31.4% were ≥75 years old. Similar procedural success rates were observed. There were no significant differences in 1-year TLF, death, non-fatal MI or target-lesion revascularisation. The older group had a higher rate of intraprocedural complications. Mechanical circulatory support and emergency PCI negatively impacted target-lesion revascularisation-free survival in older patients, while hypertension appeared protective. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the feasibility, safety and good mid-term outcomes of CTO-PCI in elderly patients. These findings suggest its potential as a treatment option for appropriate elderly patients. Additionally, possible risk factors for adverse events were identified, potentially guiding future management strategies. Therefore, elderly patients with CTO should not be deprived of invasive PCI strategies when appropriate.

Outcomes of graft angiography with distal radial access: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the outcomes of graft angiography using these two approaches.Methods: Medical records and angiographic data of adult patients who underwent graft angiography between January 2020 and December 2022 were analyzed.Results: The study included 452 patients in the distal radial access (DRA) group and 960 patients in the femoral access group. Angiographic characteristics showed a higher prevalence of triple vessel disease in the femoral access group (29.8% vs. 20.8%; p=0.012). The DRA group had a procedural success rate of 93.0%, while the femoral access group had a higher success rate of 95.8%. The odds ratio was 0.66 (95%CI: 0.46-0.94), indicating lower odds of procedural success in the DRA group.Conclusion: Our study suggests that both DRA and femoral access are effective and safe approaches for graft angiography after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Success Rate of External Dacryocystorhinostomy With and Without Stent.

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a procedure that bypasses an obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct system. DCR can be categorized into two primary techniques: external and endoscopic. This review aims to assess the success rate of external DCR procedures, both with and without the use of a stent. This study compared the outcomes of primary DCR with and without silicone intubation in multiple studies. The reviewed studies consistently showed that silicone intubation significantly improves the success rates of DCR, with success rates ranging from 80% to 95%. The involved studies suggest that silicone intubation offers specific advantages in complex cases involving distant and common canaliculus blockages and recurrent DCR surgeries. This review emphasizes that multiple studies have documented higher success rates of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) when silicone tubes are utilized as stents. Furthermore, external DCR has been identified as the preferred procedure among medical professionals.

Use of perfusion device for free flap salvage after ischemia in swine

In free flap reconstruction, improving flap tolerance to warm ischemia (WI) is fundamental. WI is the result of a venous or arterial thrombosis, which can only be addressed through surgical revision. No additional treatments have shown superior efficacy at salvaging free flaps after or during WI. Custom perfusion machines (PM), used to reduce the intensity of lesions of the flap stored in cold ischemia, have not been evaluated for WI flap salvage. This proof-of-concept study assessed whether the Lifeport® perfusion machine could improve the salvage procedure's success rates after one hour of venous WI. Five different groups were evaluated with four porcine latissimus dorsi free flaps included in each group. Depending on the group, the flaps were subjected to one hour of WI followed by revascularization, static hypothermic submersion, or dynamic Lifeport® perfusion. Additionally, two flap perfusion liquids were evaluated: KPS-1® and IGL-1®. Biopsies were performed before in vivo warm ischemia of the flap, after in vivo warm ischemia of the flap, and after one and two hours of preservation. Interstitial edema, muscular cell size and muscular diffuse necrosis were quantified by histological assessment. Static submersion did not demonstrate any efficacy for venous flap salvage. Dynamic perfusion on Lifeport® machine showed a significant improvement in tissue parameters. Thrombi and fibrine, present during the WI period, were no longer visible inside vessels and the perfusion machine flow evacuated the inflammatory cells and their substrates from the flap. The flap weights did not increase during perfusion time, confirming the benefits of the Lifeport® perfusion machine. Evaluating Lifeport® advantages on human free flap salvage is necessary to confirm the benefits for the tissue and to increase post-operative results after congestive free flap revision surgery.

Initial experience with orbital atherectomy in a non-surgical center in Portugal

Introduction and objectivesPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of severely calcified lesions is associated with a higher risk of procedural complications, suboptimal stent expansion, and in-stent restenosis. Lesion preparation with orbital atherectomy (OA) in severely calcified lesions has been shown to increase procedural success and decrease reintervention rates. In this study, we sought to report the procedural safety and efficacy of our initial experience with OA in a non-surgical center in Portugal. MethodsPatients with severely calcified coronary lesions who were treated with intended intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided OA were included in a prospective single-center registry. We evaluated several endpoints, including: debulking success, defined <50% residual stenosis severity after OA; procedural success, defined as stent implantation according to Optimal-IVUS PCI criteria; use of additional calcium debulking strategies; and procedural complications, including coronary no-reflow, dissection, perforation or side branch occlusion. Patients were followed up for 30 days to assess early cardiovascular or procedure-related death, myocardial infarction, myocardial injury and reintervention. ResultsBetween January 2023 and September 2023, 37 patients and 53 coronary arteries underwent OA. IVUS imaging was used in all cases. Debulking and procedural success were achieved in 90.5% and 97.3% of cases, respectively. In 26 (49.1%) lesions, additional calcium debulking techniques were needed. Procedural complications occurred in three cases and one patient died during hospitalization. ConclusionOur initial experience with OA for heavily calcified coronary lesions demonstrated high procedural success and overall favorable clinical outcomes.

Effect of Filtered Blood Return on Outcomes of Pulmonary Aspiration Thrombectomy

ObjectivesTo assess the effects of filtered blood reinfusion (FBR) on procedural outcomes of aspiration thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and MethodsA total of 171 patients who underwent aspiration thrombectomy for intermediate-high–risk or high-risk PE between December 2018 and September 2022 were included, 84 of whom underwent thrombectomy with FBR and 87 without. Demographic data, vital signs, laboratory values, procedural details, pulmonary arterial pressures, transfusion needs, length of hospital stay, and procedure-related adverse events were recorded. ResultsThe groups did not differ at baseline, other than the FBR cohort having a higher percentage of women. There was no significant difference in postprocedural vital signs or pulmonary arterial pressure. Mean fluoroscopy time and volume of contrast medium used were lower in the FBR cohort. The drop in hemoglobin level was lower in the FBR group at both 12 (FBR, −1.065; No FBR, −1.742; P > .001) and 24 hours (FBR, −1.526; No FBR, −2.380; P > .001) after procedure; accordingly, fewer patients required transfusions in the FBR cohort (FBR, 8 (9.5%); No FBR, 20 (23.0%); P = .016). There was no difference in the number or severity of adverse events or duration of intensive care unit or hospital admission. ConclusionsFBR use during aspiration pulmonary thrombectomy reduced blood loss and transfusion requirements but had no significant effect on procedural success or adverse event rates.

Post-Preparation Total Motile Sperm Count in Infertile Men and The Success Rate of Intrauterine Insemination at Rumah Sakit Kasih Ibu Denpasar in 2022

Background: Every married couple hopes to have children, but not all can fulfil that desire. A married couple finds themselves unable to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, which can be called infertility. Infertility can also occur in men. In dealing with infertility, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a cost-effective and non-invasive Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedure. The condition of male infertility can be detected through semen analysis. One of the parameters in semen analysis is the total motile sperm count (TMSC). Objective: This research seeks to establish the relationship between post-preparation TMSC and the success rate of the IUI procedure. Methods: This research adopts a descriptive-analytical design employing a cross-sectional methodology. Non-probability sampling was utilized as the sampling technique, and the data analyzed were secondary data from the medical records of male patients aged 25 to 45 years old diagnosed with infertility. The subjects had undergone IUI at Rumah Sakit Kasih Ibu Denpasar from January 1 to December 31, 2022. Results: From the 35 obtained samples, 12 individuals (34.3%) had a post-preparation TMSC of ≥10 × 106, while 23 individuals (65.7%) had a post-preparation TMSC of &lt;10 × 106. The success rate of the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure was 17.1%, with 4 couples (33.3%) having a post-preparation TMSC of ≥10 × 106 and 2 couples (8.7%) with a post-preparation TMSC of &lt;10 × 106. The Fisher's Exact test carried out has obtained a result (p=0.151), while the value of the odds ratio (OR) obtained (OR=5.250) Conclusion: Based on statistical analysis, it can be concluded that there is no significant association between post-preparation TMSC in infertile men and the success rate of IUI procedures (p &gt; 0.05). The odds ratio (OR) obtained is 5.250 (95% CI 0.799-34.496).