Venous Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty Research Articles

Salvage treatment of forearm arteriovenous fistula with small caliber inflow distal artery by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Background: Dysfunctional distal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with small caliber distal inflow arteries theoretically require percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) throughout the entire arterial length. However, in clinical practice, whole distal inflow arterial PTA is not frequently performed due to concerns about possible arterial rupture. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this procedure at our center, comparing it with the standard venous PTA. Methods: From March 2017 to December 2022, 48 cases of distal AVF salvaged by whole distal inflow arterial PTA were assigned into a treatment group and 121 cases of distal AVF salvaged by venous standard PTA not involving the whole inflow artery were assigned into a control group. These two groups were then compared. Results: Those in the treatment group (who received whole distal inflow arterial PTA) were older than those in the control group (mean age, 69 vs 59 years, p < 0.001). Otherwise, differences between the two groups were unremarkable. After the salvage treatment, primary patency seemed to decrease in the treatment group with whole distal inflow arterial PTA compared to the control group with conventional PTA, although such decrease was not significant ( p = 0.072). However, primary assisted patency and secondary patency were comparable between the two groups ( p = 0.350 and p = 0.590, respectively). And in the treatment group, only one arterial dissection occurred, which was successfully managed with balloon tamponade so that no distal AVF was abandoned due to complications following whole distal inflow arterial PTA. Conclusion: Whole distal inflow arterial PTA is an effective and safe option for distal AVF salvage with a narrowed inflow artery, frequently refractory to conventional venous PTA.

Surgical management of post-thrombotic syndrome in chronic venous thoracic outlet syndrome

ObjectiveVenous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) is considered chronic when symptoms and venous stenosis or occlusion are present for >3 months after the initial primary upper extremity deep vein thrombosis event. Many of patients with chronic VTOS receive conservative treatment. However, a subset of these patients will have persistent post-thrombotic syndrome symptoms because of underlying causative anatomy. We present the results of a same admission treatment consisting of' transaxillary thoracic outlet decompression (TA-TOD), external venolysis, and, if necessary, treatment of residual intraluminal lesions with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for chronic VTOS. MethodsAll patients presenting from January 2015 to December 2019 with chronic VTOS and post-thrombotic syndrome complaints were evaluated. Patients with some degree of patency on venography or a chronic occlusion that could be recanalized using PTA preoperatively underwent TA-TOD, external venolysis, and immediate venography. Low-pressure diagnostic balloon inflation after first rib resection was used to identify residual lesions not evident by venography. If found, PTA was performed. Stent placement was reserved for patients with recurrent complaints due to residual lesions that had not been effectively treated by PTA. ResultsA total of 40 patients with chronic VTOS were evaluated, of whom 36 were included and treated according to the protocol. The remaining four patients had had a chronic occlusion that could not be recanalized preoperatively and these patients were, therefore, excluded. After TA-TOD, immediate venography showed patent vessels with residual stenosis in 31 patients. Of the five patients who had appeared to have no significant stenosis on venography, two showed narrowing with diagnostic balloon inflation of the subclavian vein, for a total of 33 patients (92%) with residual stenosis after TA-TOD. All 33 patients underwent formal venous PTA. Complications occurred in five patients. At a mean follow-up of 24 months, 30 of the 36 patients (83%) were free of symptoms. The mean thoracic outlet syndrome disability scale score was 1.97 ± 1.9. The mean Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand scale score was 16.16 ± 17.4. The median VEINES (venous insufficiency epidemiologic and economic study)-symptoms score was 53.90 (interquartile range, 10.54). The median VEINES-quality of life (QOL) score was 54.22 (interquartile range, 13.93). Finally, the mean 12-item short-form physical QOL component scale score was 47.97 ± 9.02. The thoracic outlet syndrome disability scale and Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand scale scores had significantly decreased (P < .01), and the 12-item short-form physical QOL component scale score had significantly improved (P < .01) compared with the baseline scores. A return to daily activities was achieved by 93% of the patients. ConclusionsThe treatment of patients with chronic VTOS using a same admission treatment algorithm consisting of TA-TOD, external venolysis, and PTA is effective. Intermediate follow-up showed a high return to daily activity and significant improvement in functional outcome and physical QOL.

Same Admission Hybrid Treatment of Primary Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis with Thrombolysis, Transaxillary Thoracic Outlet Decompression, and Immediate Endovascular Evaluation

Multiple algorithms exist for treating acute primary upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (pUEDVT) caused by venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS). In this case series, we present the results of our dedicated same admission treatment algorithm. All patients between January 2015 and December 2019 with an established acute upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (symptoms <14days) caused by VTOS were treated according to an algorithm consisting of same admission thrombolysis, transaxillary thoracic outlet decompression (TA-TOD) with extensive venolysis, and venography. If a residual stenosis of the subclavian vein was identified on venography, including by means of low-pressure diagnostic balloon inflation, correction by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed. The thoracic outlet syndrome disability scale, the Dutch language version of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand, and the VEINES-quality of life (VEINES-QOL/VEINES-symptoms) questionnaires were collected during follow-up. In total, 10 patients were treated for acute pUEDVT. After successful thrombolysis (100%) and TA-TOD, immediate venography showed residual stenosis of the subclavian vein in 8 of 10 patients (80%). Low-pressure dilatation of a balloon suited to the geometry of the axillosubclavian vein showed significant tapering in all cases (10/10) after which a formal venous PTA was performed. No stents were used. Mean time to discharge was 6.4days. All patients were free of symptoms at a mean follow-up period of 34.4months. Eight of the 10 patients completed follow-up questionnaires and reported a mean thoracic outlet syndrome disability scale of 0.6, mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score of 4.2, and a median VEINES-Symptoms of 55.23 (IQR, 12.13), and VEINES-QOL of 55.29 (IQR, 15.42). A same admission treatment algorithm for acute pUEDVT in patients with VTOS including thrombolysis, TA-TOD with extensive venolysis, and immediate venography with PTA is effective with promising intermediate results.

Percutaneous Venous Angioplasty in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency: A Randomized Wait List Control Study

Venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (vPTA) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) have shown contradictory results. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in a randomized wait list control study. 66 adults with neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS and sonographic diagnosis of CCSVI were allocated into vPTA-yes group (n=31) or vPTA-not group (n=35, control group). vPTA was performed immediately 15days after randomization in the PTA-yes group and 6months later in the control group. Evoked potentials (EPs), clinical-functional measures (CFMs), and upper limb kinematic measures (ULKMs) were measured at baseline (T0) and six months after in both groups, just before the venous angioplasty in the vPTA-not group (T1). Comparing the vPTA-yes and vPTA-not group, the CFM-derived composite functional outcome showed 11 (37%) versus 7 (20%) improved, 1 (3%) versus 3 (8%) stable, 0 versus 7 (20%) worsened, and 19 (61%) versus 18 (51%) mixed patients (χ2=8.71, df=3, P=0.03). Unadjusted and adjusted (for baseline confounding variables) odds ratio at 95% confidence interval were, respectively, 1.93 (1.3-2.8), P value 0.0007, and 1.85 (1.2-1.7), P value 0.002. EP- and ULKM-derived composite functional outcome showed no significant difference between the two groups. Venous angioplasty can positively impact a few CFMs especially for the quality of life but achieving disability improvement is unlikely.

Editors' note: Safety and efficacy of venoplasty in MS: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled phase II trial

In the article “Safety and efficacy of venoplasty in MS: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled phase II trial”, Traboulsee et al. compared balloon or sham venoplasty of extracranial jugular and/or azygous venous narrowing (>50% by venography) in 104 participants with relapsing or progressive MS followed for 48 weeks. They concluded that their data did not support the continued use of venoplasty to improve patient-reported outcomes, chronic symptoms, or disease course of MS. In response, Juurlink et al. note that no venous flow data were presented, positing that there may be therapeutic benefits in those patients who achieve better flow after venoplasty. They also highlight a discrepancy between numbers of new MRI-detectable lesions reported in the Results section vs table 3 of the article. Replying to these comments, Drs. Traboulsee et al. note that vessel patency and venous flow through the narrowing were confirmed with postprocedural venography, but caution that quantitative measures of venous flow may be confounded by multiple factors. They argue that post hoc analysis of small subgroups (as in a previous study by Drs. Zamboni et al.) will have insufficient power and is prone to erroneous interpretation. They clarify that the numbers in table 3 are correct. In another response, Dr. Rasman perceives a lack of MRI data in the article and contrasts the study's mixing of relapsing and progressive MS with the inclusion of only relapsing-remitting MS in the Brave Dreams trial. Dr. Rasman also contends that the relatively older population with longer disease duration in this study is unsuitable for venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and argues that gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety should not have been attributed to PTA. Finally, Dr. Bruno reports a lower rate of adverse events from PTA of the internal jugular and azygous veins in their own practice. The authors did not respond to these additional comments. In the article “Safety and efficacy of venoplasty in MS: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled phase II trial”, Traboulsee et al. compared balloon or sham venoplasty of extracranial jugular and/or azygous venous narrowing (>50% by venography) in 104 participants with relapsing or progressive MS followed for 48 weeks.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in people with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. The most widely accepted hypothesis regarding its pathogenesis is that it is an immune-mediated disease. It has been hypothesised that intraluminal defects, compression, or hypoplasia in the internal jugular or azygos veins may be important factors in the pathogenesis of MS. This condition has been named 'chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency' (CCSVI). It has been suggested that these intraluminal defects restrict the normal blood flow from the brain and spinal cord, causing the deposition of iron in the brain and the eventual triggering of an auto-immune response. The proposed treatment for CCSVI is venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), which is claimed to improve the blood flow in the brain thereby alleviating some of the symptoms of MS. This is an update of a review first published in 2012. To assess the benefit and safety of venous PTA in people with MS and CCSVI. We searched the Cochrane Multiple Sclerosis and Rare Diseases of the Central Nervous System Group's Specialised Register up to 30 August 2018, CENTRAL (in the Cochrane Library 2018, issue 8), MEDLINE up to 30 August 2018, Embase up to 30 August 2018, metaRegister of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov., the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry platform. We examined the bibliographies of the included and excluded studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which PTA and sham interventions were compared in adults with MS and CCSVI. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We reported results as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We performed statistical analyses using the random-effects model; and we assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. We included three RCTs (238 participants) in this update. One hundred and thirty-four participants were randomised to PTA and 104 to sham treatment. We attributed low risk of bias to two (67%) studies for sequence generation and two (67%) studies for performance bias. All studies were at a low risk of detection bias, attrition bias, reporting bias and other potential sources of bias.There was moderate-quality evidence to suggest that venous PTA did not increase the proportion of patients who had operative or post-operative serious adverse events compared with the sham procedure (RR 3.33, 95% CI 0.36 to 30.44; 3 studies, 238 participants); nor did it increase the proportion of patients who improved on a functional composite measure including walking control, balance, manual dexterity, postvoid residual urine volume, and visual acuity over 12-month follow-up (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.30; 1 study, 110 participants); nor did it reduce the proportion of patients who experienced new relapses at six- or 12-month follow-up (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.49; 3 studies, 235 participants). There was no effect of venous PTA on disability worsening measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, which was reported at follow-up intervals of six months (one study), 11 months (one study) and 12 months (one study). Quality of life was reported in two studies with no difference between treatment groups. Moderate or severe pain during or post venography was reported in both PTA and sham-procedure participants in all included studies. Venous PTA was not effective in restoring blood flow assessed at one-month (one study) or 12-month follow-up (one study). This systematic review identified moderate-quality evidence that, compared with sham procedure, venous PTA intervention did not provide benefit on patient-centred outcomes (disability, physical or cognitive functions, relapses, quality of life) in people with MS. Venous PTA has proven to be a safe technique but in view of the available evidence of its ineffectiveness, this intervention cannot be recommended in people with MS. All ongoing trials were withdrawn or terminated and hence this updated review is conclusive. No further randomised clinical studies are needed.

Efficacy and Safety of Extracranial Vein Angioplasty in Multiple Sclerosis

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is characterized by restricted venous outflow from the brain and spinal cord. Whether this condition is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is beneficial in persons with MS and CCSVI is controversial. To determine the efficacy and safety of venous PTA in patients with MS and CCSVI. We analyzed 177 patients with relapsing-remitting MS; 62 were ineligible, including 47 (26.6%) who did not have CCSVI on color Doppler ultrasonography screening. A total of 115 patients were recruited in the study timeframe. All patients underwent a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group trial in 6 MS centers in Italy. The trial began in August 2012 and concluded in March 2016; data were analyzed from April 2016 to September 2016. The analysis was intention to treat. Patients were randomly allocated (2:1) to either venous PTA or catheter venography without venous angioplasty (sham). Two primary end points were assessed at 12 months: (1) a composite functional measure (ie, walking control, balance, manual dexterity, postvoid residual urine volume, and visual acuity) and (2) a measure of new combined brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, including the proportion of lesion-free patients. Combined lesions included T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions plus new or enlarged T2 lesions. Of the included 115 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 76 were allocated to the PTA group (45 female [59%]; mean [SD] age, 40.0 [10.3] years) and 39 to the sham group (29 female [74%]; mean [SD] age, 37.5 [10.6] years); 112 (97.4%) completed follow-up. No serious adverse events occurred. Flow restoration was achieved in 38 of 71 patients (54%) in the PTA group. The functional composite measure did not differ between the PTA and sham groups (41.7% vs 48.7%; odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.34-1.68; P = .49). The mean (SD) number of combined lesions on magnetic resonance imaging at 6 to 12 months were 0.47 (1.19) in the PTA group vs 1.27 (2.65) in the sham group (mean ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.91; P = .03: adjusted P = .09) and were 1.40 (4.21) in the PTA group vs 1.95 (3.73) in the sham group at 0 to 12 months (mean ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.32-1.63; P = .45; adjusted P = .45). At follow-up after 6 to 12 months, 58 of 70 patients (83%) in the PTA group and 22 of 33 (67%) in the sham group were free of new lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.11-6.28; P = .03; adjusted P = .09). At 0 to 12 months, 46 of 73 patients (63.0%) in the PTA group and 18 of 37 (49%) in the sham group were free of new lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.81-4.01; P = .15; adjusted P = .30). Venous PTA has proven to be a safe but largely ineffective technique; the treatment cannot be recommended in patients with MS. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01371760.

Effect of Central Venous Angioplasty on Hemodialysis Access Circuit Flow: Prospective Study of 25 Symptomatic Patients

PurposeTo quantify the effect of central venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) on blood flow within hemodialysis access circuits in patients with symptomatic central venous stenosis (CVS). Materials and MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 30 adults with symptoms attributable to CVS ipsilateral to their access. Five subjects were deregistered because of a lack of CVS (n = 1), untreatable lesion (n = 1), or improper flow measurement timing (n = 3); 25 completed the study (15 men and 10 women; mean age, 62 y; age range, 33–87 y). There were 7 fistulae, 15 grafts, and 3 hybrid access circuits. Mean access age was 675 days (range, 16–3,039 d). Mean CVS symptom duration was 37 days (range, 3–120 d). Peripheral stenoses, if present, were treated first. Intraaccess flow was measured immediately before and immediately after CVS treatment (PTA, stent). ResultsEleven patients had only CVS, whereas 14 had at least 1 peripheral lesion in addition to CVS. All stenoses underwent PTA. Mean flow rates were 1,424 mL/min (range, 565–2,765 mL/min) before PTA and 1,535 mL/min (range, 598–2,545 mL/min) afterward, yielding a mean increase of 111 mL/min ± 456 or 15% ± 34 (range, −70% to +100%; 95% confidence interval, 1%–29%). Flow was decreased in 9 patients (36%). CVS symptoms were reduced in 24 patients (96%) and recurred in 14 (58%) within a mean of 110 days (range, 7–459 d) after initial PTA. Mean follow-up was 371 days (range, 17–592 d). ConclusionsCVS symptoms were observed to occur over a wide range of blood flow rates. On average, central venous PTA only mildly increased flow yet reduced symptoms regardless of flow change.

Endovascular Dialysis Interventions in the Era of DOQI

The National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcomes and Quality Initiative (DOQI) recommends autogenous fistulae as the preferred access for new dialysis procedures. Unfortunately, despite superior patency rates compared to prosthetic grafts, even autogenous access durability is often undermined by venous stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia at the outflow vein or by central venous stenosis due to long-standing central venous catheters. Salvage interventions, in the form of endovascular treatments such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and/or stenting, are increasingly utilized for access salvage and maintenance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular dialysis interventions in the era of DOQI. A retrospective review of a database of endovascular interventions for dialysis access during 36 months at an academic medical center was performed. Both central venous and access outflow lesions were included in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank analysis were used to assess and compare time-dependent variables. Forty-five patients with dialysis access underwent 72 endovascular interventions for access maintenance. There were 27 central venous and 32 outflow endovascular interventions with 98% follow-up. Primary and assisted primary patency rates for outflow balloon PTA were 50% and 72% at 12 months, respectively. There were 1.1 reinterventions required per index outflow PTA procedure. Postintervention primary patency rates for central venous PTA were 30% and 9% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Postintervention assisted patency for central venous PTA was 100% at 12 months, requiring 1.8 reinterventions per index PTA. Central venous and venous outflow interventions extended overall access patency by 38.5 and 33 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Endovascular interventions are the mainstay of treatment for the malfunctioning dialysis access. Despite the need for multiple reinterventions and close surveillance, catheter-based interventions positively contribute to dialysis access durability in accordance with DOQI guidelines.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and venous stenting in hemodialysis patients with vascular access-related venous stenosis or occlusion

Aim of the study To present our experience with PTA and venous stenting in hemodialysis patients with vascular access (VA) related venous stenosis or occlusion. Patients – methods We studied retrospectively 22 hemodialysis patients with VA-related venous stenosis or occlusions that were treated with PTA and subsequent stenting. The following lesions were detected by digital subtraction venography: occlusion of the brachiocephalic and/or subclavian veins in four patients, stenosis (80–90%) of the same veins in 10 patients, stenosis (80–95%) of the axillary vein in four patients, brachial vein stenosis in two patients, and cephalic vein stenosis in two patients. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 29 months (mean 15.4 ± 9.8 months). Primary and cumulative stent patency was recorded. Results Twenty-two primary venous PTA–stent implantation procedures were performed using 25 stents. The initial deployment of these 25 stents was technically successful, with complete opening (>80%) of the vein's lumen in all but one patient (95.4%). The patency of the vein immediately after the stenting procedure was greater than 90% in 13 patients, 80–90% in eight patients, and less than 40% in the case involving failure. Seventeen episodes of re-obstruction occurred in 13 patients (59%), and all were treated with the same PTA–stent procedures. At the end of the study period 47 stents had been placed in patients. The 3, 6, 12 and 24-month primary patency rates were 88.3%, 65.3%, 45.6% and 25.5%, respectively. Overall cumulative stent patency was 95.4% after 3 months, 79% after 6 months, 74% after 12 months, and 62.8% after 24 months. Conclusion PTA with primary venous stenting is an effective method for the treatment of VA-related stenosis or occlusion. However, repeat and sometimes multiple interventions are usually needed for the treatment of re-stenosis or re-occlusion episodes.

Initial experience with venous stents in exertional axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis.

Exertional thrombosis of the axillary and subclavian veins, also known as Paget-Schrötter syndrome, has been increasingly recognized in recent years as a cause of long-term morbidity. Recent aggressive approaches to treating Paget-Schrötter syndrome have suggested the association of early failure with residual subclavian vein stenosis. As a result, the use of endoluminal stents has been proposed as an aid to venous percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for this disorder. This report outlines the therapy of 11 consecutive patients with Paget-Schrötter syndrome who were treated at our institution between October, 1992, and December, 1995. Stents were placed when percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was unsuccessful at achieving an adequate residual lumen. Stents were placed after initial thrombolysis in six patients and in late follow-up in two patients. Of the six patients who had stents placed at initial thrombolysis, first-rib resection was eventually performed in four. In two patients first-rib resection was not performed, and stent fracture occurred in both. Late patency was achieved in the stents of six of the eight patients. Trials to evaluate stents as an adjunct to conventional therapy seem warranted. The use of stents alone without first-rib resection, however, appears to be associated with stent fracture.