[en] Purpose. To evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous hydrodynamic thrombectomy in restoring patency of acutely thrombosed stent-shunts after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).MethodsPercutaneous hydrodynamic thrombectomy was performed in five consecutive patients with angiographically documented complete thrombosis of the stent-shunt which developed within 2 weeks after the TIPS procedure. Thrombectomy was performed with a hydrolytic suction thrombectomy catheter, introduced via a transjugular approach.ResultsIn all patients, immediate restoration of patency of the stent-shunt was achieved after deploying additional stent(s) to cover residual adherent mural thrombus. In two patients early reocclusion occurred.ConclusionPercutaneous hydrolytic suction thrombectomy in acutely thrombosed intrahepatic portosystemic shunts is technically feasible

No abstract available

[en] The uncinate fasciculus (UF) consists of core fibers connecting the frontal and temporal lobes and is considered to be related to cognitive/behavioral function. Using diffusion tensor tractography, we quantitatively evaluated changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the UF by tract-specific analysis to evaluate the damage of the UF in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We obtained diffusion tensor images of 15 patients with ALS and 9 age-matched volunteers. Patients with ALS showed significantly lower mean FA (P = 0.029) compared with controls. No significant difference was seen in mean ADC. The results suggest that damage of the UF in patients with ALS can be quantitatively evaluated with FA. (orig.)

[en] Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a putative new theory that has been suggested by some to have a direct causative relation with the symptomatology associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The core foundation of this theory is that there is abnormal venous drainage from the brain due to outflow obstruction in the draining jugular vein and/or azygos veins. This abnormal venous drainage, which is characterised by special ultrasound criteria, called the “venous hemodynamic insufficiency severity score” (VHISS), is said to cause intracerebral flow disturbance or outflow problems that lead to periventricular deposits. In the CCSVI theory, these deposits have a great similarity to the iron deposits seen around the veins in the legs in patients with chronic deep vein thrombosis. Zamboni, who first described this new theory, has promoted balloon dilatation to treat the outflow problems, thereby curing CCSVI and by the same token alleviating MS complaints. However, this theory does not fit into the existing bulk of scientific data concerning the pathophysiology of MS. In contrast, there is increasing worldwide acceptance of CCSVI and the associated balloon dilatation treatment, even though there is no supporting scientific evidence. Furthermore, most of the information we have comes from one source only. The treatment is called “liberation treatment,” and the results of the treatment can be watched on YouTube. There are well-documented testimonies by MS patients who have gained improvement in their personal quality of life (QOL) after treatment. However, there are no data available from patients who underwent unsuccessful treatments with which to obtain a more balanced view. The current forum for the reporting of success in treating CCSVI and thus MS seems to be the Internet. At the CIRCE office and the MS Centre in Amsterdam, we receive approximately 10 to 20 inquiries a month about this treatment. In addition, many interventional radiologists, who are directly approached by MS patients, contact the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) for advice. Worldwide, several centres are actively promoting and performing balloon dilatation, with or without stenting, for CCSVI. Thus far, no trial data are available, and there is currently no randomized controlled trial (RCT) in progress Therefore, the basis for this new treatment rests on anecdotal evidence and successful testimonies by patients on the Internet. CIRSE believes that this is not a sound basis on which to offer a new treatment, which could have possible procedure-related complications, to an often desperate patient population.

[en] In this paper, we explore two parameters or strain indices related to plaque deformation during the cardiac cycle, namely, the maximum accumulated axial strain in plaque and the relative lateral shifts between plaque and vessel wall under in vivo clinical ultrasound imaging conditions for possible identification of vulnerable plaque. These strain indices enable differentiation between calcified and lipidic plaque tissue utilizing a new perspective based on the stiffness and mobility of the plaque. In addition, they also provide the ability to distinguish between softer plaques that undergo large deformations during the cardiac cycle when compared to stiffer plaque tissue. Soft plaques that undergo large deformations over the cardiac cycle are more prone to rupture and to release micro-emboli into the cerebral bloodstream. The ability to identify vulnerable plaque, prone to rupture, would significantly enhance the clinical utility of this method for screening patients. We present preliminary in vivo results obtained from ultrasound radio frequency data collected over 16 atherosclerotic plaque patients before these patients undergo a carotid endarterectomy procedure. Our preliminary in vivo results indicate that the maximum accumulated axial strain over a cardiac cycle and the maximum relative lateral shift or displacement of the plaque are useful strain indices that provide differentiation between soft and calcified plaques.

[en] BackgroundEndovascular treatment is considered a reasonable approach for patients with acute posterior circulation stroke, but it remains uncertain which patients will benefit the most from it.

[en] We compared diagnostic performance of 3D Time of flight MRA with contrast-enhanced MRA to detect and quantify intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease. From April 2007 to December 2009, we enrolled 95 patients with clinically suspected intracranial atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease who had undergone 3D TOF-MRA and CE MRA at 1.5T or 3T with DSA. Two radiologists analyzed the post-processed images using a maximum intensity projection. Intracranial vessels were categorized as distal internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery or vertebrobasillar artery. We graded the degree of stenosis and assigned subjects to one of three groups: low grade occlusion (<50%), high grade occlusion (50-99%) and complete occlusion. Using the McNemar test, we compared the results of CE MRA with those of 3D TOF for detecting >50% stenosis using DSA as a reference standard. CE MRA had 94.2% sensitivity, 88.1% specificity, 51% positive predictive value, 99.1% negative predictive value and 88.8% diagnostic accuracy for detecting >50% stenosis; In contrast, 3D TOF-MRA showed 94.2% sensitivity, 91.6.1% specificity, 59.8% positive predictive value, 99.1% negative predictive value and 91.9% diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity and specificity of CE MRA were not significantly different than sensitivity and specificity of 3D TOF MRA (p >0.05). 3D TOF-MRA provides comparable diagnostic performance with CE-MRA for diagnosis intracranial atherosclerotic disease

[en] Background: Catheter-related infections (CRIs) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The identification of novel, modifiable risk factors for CRIs may lead to improved outcomes in this population. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been hypothesized to compromise vascular access due to vascular damage and venous thrombosis, whereas venous thrombosis has been linked to the development of CRIs. Here we examine the association between PICC placement and CRIs. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all chronic hemodialysis catheter placements and exchanges performed at a large university hospital from September 2003 to September 2008. History of PICC line use was determined by examining hospital radiologic records from December 1993 to September 2008. Catheter-related complications were assessed and correlated with PICC line history. Results: One hundred eighty-five patients with 713 chronic tunneled hemodialysis catheter placements were identified. Thirty-eight of those patients (20.5%) had a history of PICC placement; these patients were more likely to have CRIs (odds ratio = 2.46, 95% confidence interval = 1.71–3.53, p < .001) compared with patients without a history of PICC placement. There was no difference between the two groups in age or number of catheters placed. Conclusion: Previous PICC placement may be associated with catheter-related infections in hemodialysis patients.

[en] To find out the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with myocardial infarction in Pakistan. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from July to December 2016. Methodology: Patients suffering first myocardial infarction (MI) were randomly allocated to usual care or cardiac rehabilitation in a 1:1 ratio. Cardiac rehabilitation comprised two phases: 1-2 weeks during hospital stay followed by 6-7 weeks outpatient structured exercise programme. Two generic health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Self-Rated Health (SRH)) and one post-MI specific tool (MacNew QLMI) were measured at baseline and at 8 weeks follow-up among both groups. Lower SRH and GHQ scores and higher MacNew QLMI scores indicate better health status. Data were analysed using STATA 14. Results: Out of 206 participants, 195 (94.6%) were analysed at the end of trial. The mean age was 53 +8.3 years. In the cardiac rehabilitation group, the mean SRH score changed from 3.97 +0.9 at baseline to 2.36 +0.8 at follow-up (p<0.001). The mean GHQ of the cardiac rehabilitation group was 21.26 +5.5 at baseline and it decreased significantly to 7.43 +4.2 at follow-up (p<0.001). The MacNew QLMI of the cardiac rehabilitation group increased from 3.61 +1.07 to 5.62 +0.5 (p<0.001). The multivariate regression of all three HRQoL measures confirmed better HRQoL following cardiac rehabilitation compared with usual care (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation following MI was effective in terms of improving HRQoL and can be implement in Pakistan as it produced significant improvements in HRQoL. (author)

[en] To determine the incidence of clinically detectable deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without a standard DVT prophylaxis regimen. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: All the patients included in the study underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from Nov 2014 to Nov 2016 in Hepatobiliary department Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi under general anaesthesia. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 723 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data was collected on a specially designed proforma. Quantitative D-dimers and 3 risk stratification (Wells score) for deep venous thrombosis was done 24 hrs preoperatively 24 hrs, 72 hrs and 14 days postoperatively. Results: The study population comprised of 723 patients. Twenty seven patients were converted to undergo open cholecystectomy and were excluded from the study. Forteen patients were lost to follow-up. 03 pts with preop high probability of DVT were excluded from further postoperative screening. During postoperative screening, 05 out of 679 pts had a Wells score of more than 03, which showed a high probability of DVT in these patients. Out of these 05 pts, four had raised D-dimers as well. For definitive diagnosis, all these 05 patients underwent duplex scan, which confirmed deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion: We conclude that there is no significant risk of DVT after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thromboprophylaxis is not recommended in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any risk factors of DVT. Preoperative risk stratification for DVT and D-dimers are effective screening tools for pts undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. (author)