PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare surgical revisions and balloon angioplasty after surgical thrombectomy on thrombosed dialysis access as a first event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients undergoing creation of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) at the Gachon University Gil Medical Center between March 2008 and February 2016 were reviewed. Among them, patients who underwent treatment on first-time thrombotic occlusion after AVG creation were identified. Outcomes were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency. The patency was generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and patency rates were compared by log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 59 de novo interventions (n=26, hybrid interventions; n=33, surgical revisions) for occlusive AVGs were identified. The estimated 1-year primary patency rates were 47% and 30% in the surgery and hybrid groups, respectively. The estimated primary patency rates were not different between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.73). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 6 and 12 months for primary-assisted patency rates were 68% and 57% in the surgery group and 56% and 56% in the hybrid group. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 12 and 24 months secondary patency rates were 90% and 71% in the surgery group and 79% and 62% in the hybrid group. There were no differences in the estimated primary-assisted and secondary patency rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of primary patency (P=0.73), primary-assisted patency (P=0.85), and secondary patency (P=0.78). However, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can give more therapeutic options for both surgeons and patients.
Angioplasty ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Methods ; Surgeons ; Thrombectomy ; Transplants

Angioplasty ; methods ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans ; surgery ; Humans ; Stents

PURPOSE: Complete removal of air bubbles from balloons for neurovascular angioplasty is cumbersome. We compared the preparation difficulty, air removal efficiency, and air collection pattern of six different balloon catheter preparation methods to propose a better preparation method for both initial and second balloon uses, especially for small-profile angioplasty balloon catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 neurovascular angioplasty balloon catheters with nominal diameters of 2 mm were prepared to test six different preparation methods: the instruction for use method (method A), simplified method using a syringe (method B) and four newly devised preparation methods using inflating devices (methods C–F). Serial radiographs were obtained while the balloons were gradually inflated. We measured the time for each preparation and the bubble number, analyzed their distribution in the balloon, and calculated the contrast filling ratio (contrast filling area/total balloon area) for initial and second ballooning. The whole process was repeated three times. RESULTS: The preparation time varied widely (11.5 seconds [method D] to 73.3 seconds [method A]). On initial inflation, the contrast filling ratio at 8 atm was the highest (100%) with methods A and F. On second inflation, the ratio was again highest with method A (99.5%), followed by method F (99.2%). Initial ballooning tended to show a uniform pattern of single bubble in the distal segment of the balloon; in contrast, second ballooning showed varying patterns in which the bubbles were multiple and randomly distributed. CONCLUSION: None of the six methods were able to completely exclude air bubbles from the balloon catheters including the second ballooning; however, the method of repeating aspiration with high-volume inflating device (method F) could be a practical option considering the simplicity and efficiency of preparation.
Angioplasty ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Catheters ; Clothing ; Embolism, Air ; Equipment Failure ; Inflation, Economic ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; Methods ; Syringes

Humans ; Subclavian Artery ; Vertebral Artery ; Angioplasty ; Stents ; Embolism/prevention & control* ; Angioplasty, Balloon/methods*

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Arteries ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans

BACKGROUNDAneurysms with wide-necked or a large neck/fundus ratio, especially located on an arterial bifurcation or a small artery, are challenges for interventional neuroradiologist because of the risk of coil migration or coil protrusion into the parent vessels. Our study was designed to improve the efficacy and safety of the "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon for these difficult aneurysms and was confirmed by a follow-up result.

METHODSFrom June 2004 to September 2006, forty-two patients (20 men, 22 women) with wide-necked or large neck/fundus ratio aneurysms were treated by using the "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon.

RESULTSForty wide-necked aneurysms were successfully treated with the HyperForm balloon remodeling technique with only two failed cases. Final results consisted of total occlusion in 34 cases (80.9%), subtotal in 4 (9.5%) and incomplete in 2 (4.8%). One aneurysmal rupture occurred, but no clinical consequence was shown. No thromboembolic events were observed during treatment. Final angiographic follow-up time ranged from 3 to 18 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe "remodeling technique" with the HyperForm balloon is a very useful tool in the treatment of wide-necked or unfavorable neck/fundus ratio intracranial aneurysms-located on an arterial bifurcation or a small artery and, especially, located on the bifurcation of a large artery and a small one. In our experience, this technique provided a safe and efficient treatment for difficult aneurysms when the standard remodeling technique might have failed.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; methods ; Tungsten

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; China ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans

A 62-year-old man was admitted, and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedure was performed to treat an accidentally detected aortic aneurysm, which was 63 mm in diameter. While performing TEVAR, the passage of the stent-graft introducer system was impossible due to the prolapse of the introducer system into a wide-necked aneurysm; this aneurysm was located at the greater curvature of the proximal descending thoracic aorta. In order to advance the introducer system, a compliant balloon was inflated. Thus, we created an artificial wall in the aneurysm with this inflated balloon. Finally, we were able to advance the introducer system into the target zone.
*Angioplasty, Balloon ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary/*methods ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/radiography/*surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/*methods ; Endovascular Procedures/*methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo review the presentation, diagnosis and recent developments in the pharmacological and invasive treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a special focus on health-care organization in order to increase accessibility of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DATA SOURCESData were obtained from English publications on STEMI treatment. No formal systematic review was conducted, but an effort was made to be comprehensive.

STUDY SELECTIONStudies were selected if they contained data relevant to the topic. Preferably, data from clinical randomized trials, meta-analyses, guidelines and a few recent reviews are referenced.

RESULTSThe described clinical approach to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been a continuum of scientific results and translation into clinical practice over the last four decades since the advent of thrombolytic reperfusion. This has resulted in a dramatic in-hospital mortality decrease from 30% in the 1960s to the present 5%. The biggest survival benefits have undoubtedly been achieved after the advent of reperfusion strategies. In contemporary treatment of STEMI, additional treatment effects on survival have to be sought in the very early admission phase, as the current mortality hazard drops significantly after the first critical days to continuously very low levels after discharge.

CONCLUSIONSOptimal treatment of STEMI patients is best performed with a widely accessible reperfusion strategy, preferably primary PCI, with contemporary peri-procedural anti-thrombotic treatment and device implantation. Accessibility of reperfusion strategies is increased by efficient STEMI networks applying prehospital triage with digital tele-transmission of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and seamless patient transitions between health-care unities. Efficient treatments of complicated STEMI with out-of hospital cardiac arrest and/or cardiogenic shock underline the necessity of structured referral systems, preferably immediately after the initial STEMI diagnosis.