Total Venous Occlusion Research Articles

Severity and Extent of Lead-Related Venous Obstruction in More Than 3000 Patients Undergoing Transvenous Lead Extraction.

BackgroundLead-related venous stenosis/obstruction (LRVSO) may be a major challenge in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) when device upgrade, insertion of central lines, or creation of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis is indicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and severity of LRVSO.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 3002 venograms from patients awaiting transvenous lead extraction (TLE) to assess the occurrence, severity, and extent of LRVSO.ResultsMild LRVSO occurred in 19.9%, moderate in 20.7%, severe in 19.9% and total venous occlusion in 22.5% of the patients. Moderate/severe stenosis or total occlusion of the subclavian and brachiocephalic veins was found in 38.2% and 22.5% of the patients, respectively. LRSVO was not detected in 16.9% of the patients. Moderate and severe superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction and total SVC occlusion were rare (0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively). Lead insertion on the left side of the chest contributed to an increased risk of LRVSO compared to right-sided implantation. Major thoracic veins on the opposite side may be narrowed in varying degrees.ConclusionA total of 60% of the patients with pacemaker or high-voltage leads have an advanced form of LRVSO. Any attempt to insert new pacing leads, central lines, venous ports, or catheters for hemodialysis, or to create dialysis fistula on the same side as the existing lead should be preceded by venography. Furthermore, venography may provide useful information, if it is planned to implant the lead or the catheter on the opposite side of the chest.

The LiTOS-Approach: Liver Partitioning and Total Venous Occlusion for Staged Hepatectomy

The LiTOS-Approach: Liver Partitioning and Total Venous Occlusion for Staged Hepatectomy

Venoplasty can be performed safely and successfully in patients with subtotal and total venous occlusion needing additional transvenous electrodes

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Lead failure, but also upgrade procedures from pacemaker to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can be hampered by venous obstruction occurring in 10-25% of patients with prior transvenous electrodes. A relatively underused technique to overcome venous obstruction are lead percutaneous venous dilation procedures (venoplasty). Purpose We aimed to identify the feasibility of venoplasty procedures in two Dutch tertiary referral centers. Methods 84 consecutive patients where venoplasty was attempted were included in the study and baseline parameters as well as procedural characteristics and complications were recorded. 42% of patients needed replacement of a defective electrode and 58% an upgrade to CRT or from pacemaker to ICD. Venous stenosis was defined as significant (70-90%), subocclusive (90-99%) and occlusive (100%) and the region was divided into three segments: subclavian vein, brachiocephalic vein and junction to the vena cava superior. Results The study included 30 pacemaker and 54 ICD patients, 68±12 years old, 80% were male. Body mass index was 26±3, left ventricular ejection fraction 32±12% and eGFR 63±24ml/min/1,73m2. At the time of the procedure, 2,1±0,8 electrodes were present and 1,2±0,2 electrodes were implanted, in 15% atrial, 52% RV and 52% LV electrodes. The procedures took 123±58 minutes and fluoroscopy dose was 5334±5390µGy/m2. There were 79 total occlusions of any segments and in addition, 51 subocclusive lesions needing venoplasty (table). 8 procedures were unsuccessful (9%), mostly due to failure to pass the occlusion. 3 patients (4%) had pocket hematoma not needing reintervention and one patient (1%) needed lead repositioning due to dislocation. There was no damage to any existing lead during the procedures. 89% of patients had a successful procedure without a complication needing reintervention. Conclusions Venoplasty is safe in subocclusive and occlusive venous stenosis and can be performed with high success using modern material potentially avoiding lead extraction or contralateral tunneling procedures.

PO-717-02 TRANS-HEPATIC ‘BODY-FLOSSING’ TO OBTAIN ACCESS IN A PATIENT WITH VENOUS OCCLUSIONS FOR SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA ABLATION

Trans-hepatic access (THA) can be performed for ablations in patients with femoral venous occlusions. In the setting of additional superior vena cava (SVC) occlusion, obtaining a second access can be challenging. To describe retrograde crossing of a chronic total venous occlusion (CTVO) followed by superior snaring after THA. n/a A 45-year-old female with a history of end-stage renal disease presented with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia refractory to medications. She had dialysis performed at different times via all 4 extremities and had known inferior CTVO. THA was obtained to gain access into the heart (A, blue arrows). Right internal jugular vein (IJV) was occluded; the left IJV vein was accessed, however, there was evidence of SVC stenosis (B, yellow dotted line), and a wire could not be advanced antegradely. Using a Glidewire from the THA, the stenosis was crossed retrogradely (C, yellow arrows). From the left IJV sheath, the wire tip was snared (D, white arrow), and pulled out (Figure 1E, green arrows). Once through-and-through access was obtained, a long sheath was advanced over the wire into the right atrium (F, red arrows) through which another decapolar catheter (G-H, orange arrow) was placed and with the help of the THA decapolar coronary sinus catheter (G, asterisk), the diagnosis of typical atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia was confirmed. Following this, the THA decapolar catheter was replaced by an ablation catheter (H, red arrow) for successful slow pathway modification. Obtaining venous access in addition to the THA can be challenging in patients with superior and inferior venous stenosis. Retrograde crossing of CTVO scan be performed after THA, and with the help of snaring, additional access can be obtained.

The role of preoperative venography in predicting the difficulty of a transvenous lead extraction procedure.

We hypothesized that an accurate assessment of preoperative venography could be useful in predicting transvenous lead extraction (TLE) difficulty. A dedicated preoperative venogram was performed in consecutive patients with cardiac implantable electronic device who underwent TLE. The level of stenosis was classified as without significant stenosis, moderate, severe, and occlusion. The presence of extensive lead-venous wall adherence (≥50 mm) was also assessed. A total of 105 patients (median age: 71 years; 72% male) with a median of 2 (1-2) leads to extract were enrolled. Preoperative venography showed moderate to severe stenosis in 31 (30%), complete occlusion in 15 (14%), and extensive lead-venous wall adherence in 50 (48%) patients. Complete TLE success was achieved in 103 (98%) patients. A total of 55 (52%) were advanced extractions as they required a powered mechanical and/or laser sheath. They were more prevalent in the group with extensive lead-venous wall adherence (72% vs. 34%, p < .001), while no differences were found between patients with and without venous occlusion. In multivariate analysis, the presence of adherence was a predictor of advanced extraction (odds ratio: 2.89 [1.14-7.32], p = .025). The fluoroscopy time was also significantly longer (14.0 [8.2-18.7] vs. 5.1 [2.1-10.0] min, p < .001). The rate of complications did not differ based on the presence of venous lesions. Although procedural success and complication rates were similar, patients with extensive lead-venous wall adherence required a longer fluoroscopy time and were three times more likely to need advanced extraction tools. Conversely, the presence of total venous occlusion had no impact on the procedure complexity.

The Use of Transvenous Lead Extraction of Non-Infected Leads to Prevent Long-Term Lead-Related Complications.

The aim of the investigation was to study the issue of making challenging decisions concerning abandonment or removal of non-infected superfluous leads during lead revisions or cardiac implantable electronic device upgrades.Materials and Methods.From 2010 to 2019, a total of 482 patients who had undergone cardiac implantable electronic device implantation in the past were admitted to hospital for generator replacement or lead revision. In 126 patients, 155 malfunctioning leads were found. Mean age of the patients was 59.2±16.7. Total venous occlusion was found in 10 cases of these patients. All patients were divided into two groups: extracted leads group (n=83) and abandoned leads group (n=43). The main factor which influenced our strategy was the mean age of the lead. In group 1 the mean age of the lead was 6.9±5.6 years. In group 2 it was about 12 years.Results.Lead extraction was performed by manual traction in 69 (61.7%) leads, by lead locking device in 32 (28.5%) leads, and 11 (9.8%) leads were removed using TightRail rotating dilator sheath. In 1 case of total occlusion of the superior vena cava, we performed a video-assisted thoracoscopic lead extraction at the time of vein occlusion recanalisation and electronic device reimplantation. In abandoned leads group 3 patients had lead-related complications.Conclusion.Transvenous lead extraction with the mean age of the lead less than 10 years is an effective and safe strategy. Preventive transvenous lead extraction of non-infected leads allows avoiding lead-related complications in the long-term period.

The LiTOS hepatectomy: liver partitioning and total venous occlusion for staged hepatectomy

The LiTOS hepatectomy: liver partitioning and total venous occlusion for staged hepatectomy

Evaluation of lung transplant perfusion using iodine maps from novel spectral detector computed tomography.

We report the case of a 51-year-old patient who underwent bilateral lung transplantation and presented with an unstable condition and sepsis 6 days after transplantation. The performed contrast enhanced spectral detector computed tomography (CT) using a dual-layer detector showed absence of perfusion in the left lung on iodine maps, although branches of the pulmonary artery were patent. This prompted retrospective evaluation of CT images and total venous occlusion of the left pulmonary veins was found. Here, iodine maps helped in raising conspicuity of loss of lung perfusion.

Safety and Efficacy of Catheter-Directed Therapies as a Supplement to Surgical Decompression in Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of endovascular therapy in the management of venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), with an emphasis on its role after surgical decompression. This single-center retrospective review identified all patients who underwent conventional contrast-enhanced venography as a component of the imaging evaluation of clinically suspected venous TOS from January 2004 through September 2015. Eighty-one patients were identified, with a mean (± SD) age of 33 ± 12 years, of whom 59% (48/81) were women. After imaging confirmation of venous TOS, a standardized treatment protocol combining surgical and endovascular intervention was used for management. Of the 81 patients included in the study, 73 (90%) had angiographic evidence of venous TOS; 41 of these 73 patients (56%) underwent endovascular venous intervention (e.g., thrombolysis or angioplasty before surgical) decompression. A total of 67 patients (67/73; 92%) with venous TOS underwent surgical decompression, with 56 of these (56/73; 77%) undergoing postoperative venography. Of these 56 patients who underwent postoperative venography, 48 (86%) required venoplasty, four had normal-appearing subclavian veins (7%) and had no intervention, and four of 48 (8%) had chronic total venous occlusions that could not be recanalized. Only four of the 48 of the patients (8%) who underwent postdecompression venoplasty required subsequent repeat venography and intervention for management of persistent or recurrent symptoms, whereas all others (44/48; 92%) remained symptom free on clinical follow-up. No complications were identified that were related to the endovascular interventions. Combining venography and endovascular venous intervention with surgical decompression in managing patients with clinically suspected venous TOS is safe and effective. Postdecompression venoplasty appears to be highly effective, with a low rate of symptom recurrence.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: An important consideration in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is a rare subcategory of pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group 1). The disease is poorly understood and difficult to diagnose; it has no definitive cure to date. These patients present with nonspecific symptoms, including dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and weakness. Chest x-rays sometimes differ from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and may demonstrate alveolar infiltrates and pleural effusions. High resolution computed tomography scans reveal ground glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, and lymphadenopathy. Echocardiography can estimate the level of pulmonary artery pressures; right heart catheterization is needed for complete hemodynamic characterization of these patients. Lung biopsies demonstrate remodeling of the venules and small veins with intimal and adventitial fibrosis. This can result in total venous occlusion and subsequent recanalization. Similar changes occur in the small arteries and arterioles but are less pronounced than the venous changes. There is no effective medical therapy for these patients, and treatment with the pulmonary arterial hypertension specific medications often causes acute deterioration with pulmonary edema. The recent discovery of the biallelic mutations of the EIF2AK4 gene as an etiology for heritable form of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease increases our understanding of the disease pathogenesis and potentially identifies a future approach to treatment. Without definitive treatment, the prognosis is very poor, and the life expectancy of these patients is much shorter than patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. These patients need early referral to transplantation centers.

Preliminary results of severe venous insufficiency treatment with thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein by endovascular technique with laser diode 980nm developed in Brazil, associated with sclerotherapy with polidocanol.

The endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the insufficient saphenous vein has similar results to open conventional surgery, but less morbidity. The echo-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy technique has been used for the same purpose. The combined techniques may play a role for more severe diseases, such as those with varicose ulcers. An EVLA device (called VELAS) has been developed in the Optics and Photonics Research Center of USP-São Carlos in agreement with FMB-UNESP. In this study, we present the preliminary results of the VELAS device (MMO 980nm diode) in patients with chronic venous ulcer, associated with echo-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicosities. Primary outcomes were healing time of the venous ulcer, occlusion of the treated veins and treatment-related adverse events. We included 12 patients with insufficient saphenous vein and chronic venous ulcer. Initially, we treated all of them with thermoablation of the insufficient saphenous vein (VELAS), on an outpatient basis, with local anesthesia. After one week of the procedure, we sclerosed the varicosities with polidocanol foam (Tessari technique). The national VELAS device was easily handled. Total venous occlusion occurred in 83.3% of the patients (in seven days) and the association of the techniques was responsible for a wound healing rate of 83.3%, with no adverse events.

The unsuitability of implantable Doppler probes for the early detection of renal vascular complications - a porcine model for prevention of renal transplant loss.

BackgroundVascular occlusion is a rare, but serious complication after kidney transplantation often resulting in graft loss. We therefore aimed to develop an experimental porcine model for stepwise reduction of the renal venous blood flow and to compare an implantable Doppler probe and microdialysis for fast detection of vascular occlusion.MethodsIn 20 pigs, implantable Doppler probes were placed on the renal artery and vein and a microdialysis catheter was placed in the renal cortex. An arterial flowprobe served as gold standard. Following two-hour baseline measurements, the pigs were randomised to stepwise venous occlusion, complete venous occlusion, complete arterial occlusion or controls.ResultsAll parameters were stable through baseline measurements. Glutamate and lactate measured by microdialysis increased significantly (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03 respectively) 30 minutes after a 2/3 (66%) reduction in renal blood flow. The implantable Doppler probe was not able to detect flow changes until there was total venous occlusion. Microdialysis detected changes in local metabolism after both arterial and venous occlusion; the implantable Doppler probe could only detect vascular occlusions on the vessel it was placed.ConclusionsWe developed a new model for stepwise renal venous blood flow occlusion. Furthermore, the first comparison of the implantable Doppler probe and microdialysis for detection of renal vascular occlusions was made. The implantable Doppler probe could only detect flow changes after a complete occlusion, whereas microdialysis detected changes earlier, and could detect both arterial and venous occlusion. Based on these results, the implantable Doppler probe for early detection of vascular occlusions cannot be recommended.

Treatment of chronic total venous occlusions in patients with end stage renal disease

Treatment of chronic total venous occlusions in patients with end stage renal disease

Toward noninvasive assessment of flap viability with time-resolved diffuse optical tomography: a preclinical test on rats.

The noninvasive assessment of flap viability in autologous reconstruction surgery is still an unmet clinical need. To cope with this problem, we developed a proof-of-principle fully automatized setup for fast time-gated diffuse optical tomography exploiting Mellin-Laplace transform to obtain three-dimensional tomographic reconstructions of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations. We applied this method to perform preclinical tests on rats inducing total venous occlusion in the cutaneous abdominal flaps. Notwithstanding the use of just four source-detector couples, we could detect a spatially localized increase of deoxyhemoglobin following the occlusion (up to 550 μM in 54 min). Such capability to image spatio-temporal evolution of blood perfusion is a key issue for the noninvasive monitoring of flap viability.

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Stenting Versus Compression Therapy for Patients With Chronic Total Venous Occlusion

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Stenting Versus Compression Therapy for Patients With Chronic Total Venous Occlusion

Assessment of microcirculation of the skin using Tissue Viability Imaging: A promising technique for detecting venous stasis in the skin

Background: Venous occlusion in the skin is difficult to detect by existing measurement techniques. Our aim was to find out whether Tissue Viability Imaging (TiVi) was better at detecting venous occlusion by comparing it with results of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) during graded arterial and venous stasis in human forearm skin. Methods: Arterial and venous occlusions were simulated in 10 healthy volunteers by inflating a blood pressure cuff around the upper right arm. Changes in the concentration of red blood cells (RBC) were measured using TiVi, while skin perfusion and concentration of moving red blood cells (CMBC) were measured using static indices of LDF during exsanguination and subsequent arterial occlusion, postocclusive reactive hyperaemia, and graded increasing and decreasing venous stasis. Results: During arterial occlusion there was a significant reduction in the mean concentration of RBC from baseline, as well as in perfusion and CMBC (p<0.008). Venous occlusion resulted in a significant 28% increase in the concentration of RBC (p=0.002), but no significant change in perfusion (mean change −14%) while CMBC decreased significantly by 24% (p=0.02). With stepwise increasing occlusion pressures there was a significant rise in the TiVi index and reduction in perfusion (p=0.008), while the reverse was seen when venous flow was gradually restored. Conclusion: The concentration of RBC measured with TiVi changes rapidly and consistently during both total and partial arterial and venous occlusions, while the changes in perfusion, measured by LDF, were less consistent. This suggests that TiVi could be a more useful, non-invasive clinical monitoring tool for detecting venous stasis in the skin than LDF.

PS178. Expanded Use of the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) Vascular Access Device for Permanent Dialysis Access in Patients with Total Central Venous Occlusion

PS178. Expanded Use of the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) Vascular Access Device for Permanent Dialysis Access in Patients with Total Central Venous Occlusion

Inside-out access: A new method of lead placement for patients with central venous occlusions

Physicians will increasingly encounter patients who require rhythm management devices but have venous obstructions that prevent conventional access. Alternate access options, such as thoracotomy or transiliac approaches, exist but are associated with greater cost and morbidity. The purpose of this study is to describe a novel method of vascular access that allows prepectoral placement of conventional pacing and defibrillation leads in patients with complex central venous occlusions. Eight patients with central venous occlusions were referred for device implantation. Inside-out central venous access (IOCVA) was obtained via a percutaneous femoral approach. A catheter-dilator system was advanced via the right atrium to the most central point of venous occlusion. The occluded vein segment was punctured with a directionally guided needle, which was advanced along intravascular or extravascular tissue planes to the subclavian region. A solid wire needle was oriented toward the skin surface and advanced through the soft tissues until it exists from the body. The wire was used to pull rigid dilators through the occluded segment. Standard transvenous leads were implanted though the newly created channel. All patients with total central venous occlusions (4 superior vena cava, 4 brachiocephalic and bilateral subclavian) had successful, prepectoral device implants (4 left-sided, 1 single-chamber, 4 dual-chamber, 3 biventricular). No procedure-related complications occurred. All patients had normal device function at follow-up of 485 ± 542 days. IOCVA is an effective method of pacemaker and defibrillator implantation for patients with central venous occlusions. Further clinical evaluation of this novel method is needed.

Progression of venous pathology after pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: A prospective serial venographic study

Background and aims. Prospective data on development of venous obstruction after electrode implantation are limited. We performed a prospective study on 150 patients undergoing first pacemaker implantation.Methods. Venographies at base-line and 6 months postimplantation in all patients, 50 patients included into a long-term follow-up of a mean of 2.4 years after implantation.Results. At 6 months 14% had obstructions, but only 1 patient (0.7%) developed acute symptomatic upper extremity venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism (PE) was encountered in 5 (3.3%).After 6 months only 2 patients experienced pain in ipsilateral arm, but none had edema of arm, neck or head, or clinical PE. The 5 patients with total venous occlusion (TVO) at 6 months had no localized symptoms. Late venographic abnormalities developed in 5 (10%) patients: 4 TVOs and 1 stenosis. Two of the new lesions developed among 25 patients with normal 6-month venograms. Overall, TVO was detected in 9 of 150 patients. No factors emerged as independent predictors of total occlusion in multiple regression analysis.Conclusions. TVO is not uncommon after pacemaker implantation, and mostly occurs without any localizing symptoms. Most venous lesions seem to develop during the first months postimplantation, but late and unpredictable TVO may also occur.

Right Atriotomy Using Total Venous Inflow Occlusion for Removal of Heartworms in a Cat

Heartworm infection with caval syndrome was detected in a thirteen-year-old male cat. However, removal of the heartworms via a jugular venotomy was infeasible because the size of the jugular vein limited our ability to use flexible alligator forceps. Therefore, a right atriotomy using total venous inflow occlusion was performed to remove the heartworms. The procedure was accomplished successfully, and the cat recovered from its symptoms. The present case suggests that right atriotomy using venous inflow occlusion is practical for removal and prevention of rupture of heartworms.