Purpose: To investigate the factors contributing to inferior vena cava (IVC) filter removal failure by comparing successful and failed cases using advanced techniques. Materials and Methods: IVC filter removal was attempted in 331 patients. Of the 29 patients in whom IVC filter removal failed using a simple technique, the IVC filter was successfully removed using an advanced technique in 18 patients and failure was noted in 11 patients.Age, sex, filter type, indwelling period, IVC diameter, tilting angle between the IVC and the filter, IVC wall penetration of the filter strut, and whether the filter was embedded or endothelialized within the IVC wall were compared in each group. Results: Overall, there were 13 men (72%) in the success group and 3 men (27%) in the failure group; more women were present in the failure group (p = 0.027). Unlike in the success group, hook embedment (9/11, 82%) or IVC filter endothelialization (2/11, 18%) within the wall of the IVC were observed in the failure group using two-dimensional venography. Conclusion When using advanced techniques for IVC filter removal, females are at a higher risk of failure compared to males. Hook embedment and IVC filter endothelialization within the IVC wall, rather than penetration of the IVC wall, are crucial factors in failure of IVC filter removal using advanced techniques.

Purpose: To investigate the factors contributing to inferior vena cava (IVC) filter removal failure by comparing successful and failed cases using advanced techniques. Materials and Methods: IVC filter removal was attempted in 331 patients. Of the 29 patients in whom IVC filter removal failed using a simple technique, the IVC filter was successfully removed using an advanced technique in 18 patients and failure was noted in 11 patients.Age, sex, filter type, indwelling period, IVC diameter, tilting angle between the IVC and the filter, IVC wall penetration of the filter strut, and whether the filter was embedded or endothelialized within the IVC wall were compared in each group. Results: Overall, there were 13 men (72%) in the success group and 3 men (27%) in the failure group; more women were present in the failure group (p = 0.027). Unlike in the success group, hook embedment (9/11, 82%) or IVC filter endothelialization (2/11, 18%) within the wall of the IVC were observed in the failure group using two-dimensional venography. Conclusion When using advanced techniques for IVC filter removal, females are at a higher risk of failure compared to males. Hook embedment and IVC filter endothelialization within the IVC wall, rather than penetration of the IVC wall, are crucial factors in failure of IVC filter removal using advanced techniques.

Purpose: To investigate the factors contributing to inferior vena cava (IVC) filter removal failure by comparing successful and failed cases using advanced techniques. Materials and Methods: IVC filter removal was attempted in 331 patients. Of the 29 patients in whom IVC filter removal failed using a simple technique, the IVC filter was successfully removed using an advanced technique in 18 patients and failure was noted in 11 patients.Age, sex, filter type, indwelling period, IVC diameter, tilting angle between the IVC and the filter, IVC wall penetration of the filter strut, and whether the filter was embedded or endothelialized within the IVC wall were compared in each group. Results: Overall, there were 13 men (72%) in the success group and 3 men (27%) in the failure group; more women were present in the failure group (p = 0.027). Unlike in the success group, hook embedment (9/11, 82%) or IVC filter endothelialization (2/11, 18%) within the wall of the IVC were observed in the failure group using two-dimensional venography. Conclusion When using advanced techniques for IVC filter removal, females are at a higher risk of failure compared to males. Hook embedment and IVC filter endothelialization within the IVC wall, rather than penetration of the IVC wall, are crucial factors in failure of IVC filter removal using advanced techniques.

There are limited data on outcomes after implantation of everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in East Asian patients with small vessel coronary lesions. A total of 1,600 patients treated with XIENCE EES (Abbott Vascular, CA, USA) were divided into the small vessel group treated with one ≤2.5 mm stent (n=119) and the non-small vessel group treated with one ≥2.75 mm stent (n=933). The primary end point was a patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and any repeat revascularization at 12 months. The key secondary end point was a device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO), a composite of cardiovascular death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization at 12 months. The small vessel group was more often female, hypertensive, less likely to present with ST-elevation MI, and more often treated for the left circumflex artery, whereas the non-small vessel group more often had type B2/C lesions, underwent intravascular ultrasound, and received unfractionated heparin. In the propensity matched cohort, the mean stent diameter was 2.5±0.0 mm and 3.1±0.4 mm in the small and non-small vessel groups, respectively. Propensity-adjusted POCO at 12 months was 6.0% in the small vessel group and 4.3% in the non-small vessel group (p=0.558). There was no significant difference in DOCO at 12 months (small vessel group: 4.3% and non-small vessel group: 1.7%, p=0.270).Outcomes of XIENCE EES for small vessel disease were comparable to those for non-small vessel disease at 12-month clinical follow-up in real-world Korean patients.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a well-known treatment for arteriovenous fistula stenosis. Balloon rupture during endovascular procedures is a rare but possible complication. The bursting balloon itself does not cause a serious problem, but it can occasionally cause entrapment, especially in case of breakdown of the balloon catheter tip. Here, we present four cases of balloon rupture during angioplasty in the hemodialysis circuit. In three cases, the ruptured balloon catheter was removed by cutdown of access conduit, while in one case, tip of ruptured balloon catheter was migrated into the pulmonary artery and was removed surgically. The operator must attempt to reduce the risk of balloon rupture by gradually expanding the balloons under bursting pressure. If the balloon bursts, it should not be removed excessively and attempt should be made to remove it using endovascular techniques. Surgical removal is considered after careful evaluation of the condition of the balloon and vessel.
Angioplasty ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Embolism ; Endovascular Procedures ; Pulmonary Artery ; Renal Dialysis ; Rupture

PURPOSE: The present study developed formulas for estimation of standard liver volume (SLV) with high accuracy for the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SLV estimation formulas were established using gender-balanced and gender-unbalanced measurements of anthropometric variables, body composition variables, and abdominal geometry of healthy Koreans (n=790). Total liver volume excluding blood volume, was measured based on CT volumetry. RESULTS: SLV estimation formulas as preferred in various conditions of data availability were suggested in the present study. The suggested SLV estimation formulas in the present study were found superior to existing formulas, with an increased accuracy of 4.0–217.5 mL for absolute error and 0.2–18.7% for percentage of absolute error. CONCLUSION: SLV estimation formulas using gender-balanced measurements showed better performance than those using gender-unbalanced measurements. Inclusion of body composition and abdominal geometry variables contributed to improved performance of SLV estimation.
Blood Volume ; Body Composition* ; Liver*

OBJECTIVE: To compare apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the upper abdominal organs acquired with multiple b-value combinations and to investigate usefulness of normalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data, including 3T diffusion-weighted images, of 100 patients (56 men, 44 women; mean age, 63.9) that underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging. An ADC map was derived with the following six b-value combinations: b1 = 0, 50, 400, 800; b2 = 0, 800; b3 = 0, 50, 800; b4 = 0, 400, 800; b5 = 50, 800; and b6 = 50, 400, 800 s/mm2. ADC values of the right liver lobe, left liver lobe, spleen, pancreas, right kidney, and left kidney were measured. ADC values of the spleen were used for normalization. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), comparison of dependent ICCs, and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients of the original ADC revealed moderate to substantial agreement (0.5145–0.6509), while normalized ADCs revealed almost perfect agreement (0.8014–0.8569). ICC of normalized ADC for all anatomical regions revealed significantly less variability than that of the original ADC (p < 0.05). Coefficient of variance for normalized ADC was significantly lower than that for the original ADC (3.0.3.8% vs. 4.8.8.8%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Normalization of the ADC values of the upper abdominal organs using the spleen as the reference organ significantly decreased variability in ADC measurement acquired with multiple b-value combinations.
Diffusion ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pancreas ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen*

Prognosis has not been known for patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) whose ¹⁸fluoro-deoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) finding is non-diagnostic. A total of eight patients with FUO that underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively identified January 2016 - June 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Of these, two patients were diagnosed with microscopic polyangitis and Kikuchi's disease and one patient was transferred to another hospital. Of five patients whose diagnoses were not confirmed, four patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and/or low dose steroid and symptoms disappeared. Our study suggests that outcome of patients with FUO whose ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT finding is non-diagnostic would be favorable.
Diagnosis ; Electrons* ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans ; Korea ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers

Prognosis has not been known for patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) whose ¹⁸fluoro-deoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) finding is non-diagnostic. A total of eight patients with FUO that underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively identified January 2016 - June 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Korea. Of these, two patients were diagnosed with microscopic polyangitis and Kikuchi's disease and one patient was transferred to another hospital. Of five patients whose diagnoses were not confirmed, four patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and/or low dose steroid and symptoms disappeared. Our study suggests that outcome of patients with FUO whose ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT finding is non-diagnostic would be favorable.
Diagnosis ; Electrons* ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans ; Korea ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers

The Endeavor Resolute® (ER) is a zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) with a biocompatible BioLinx polymer. This study prospectively compared the clinical outcomes of 2 versions of ZES, ER and Endeavor Sprint® (ES), in patients with multivessel disease. A total of 488 patients who underwent multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were divided into 2 groups the ER group (n=288) and the ES group (n=200). The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) consisting of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization after 12 months. In all patients, the prevalence of diabetes was higher in the ER group (42.7% vs. 31.0%, p=0.009). The rate of post-PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3 was higher in the ER group (100.0% vs. 98.0%, p=0.028). There were no between-group differences in the in-hospital, 1-month and 12-month clinical outcomes. In the propensity score matched cohort (n=200 in each group), no differences were observed in the baseline and procedural characteristics. There were no statistical differences in the rates of in-hospital, 1-month and 12-month events (12-month MACE in the ER and ES groups: 6.0% vs. 3.5%, p=0.240, respectively). The safety and efficacy of both versions of ZES were comparable in patients with multivessel disease during a 12-month clinical follow-up.
Cohort Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Humans ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Polymers ; Prevalence ; Propensity Score ; Prospective Studies ; Stents