[CT pseudolesion of the liver in occlusion of the inferior vena cava].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Stümpflen.
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PURPOSE: To evaluate color duplex ultrasonographic (US) guidance of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of femoropopliteal artery stenoses and occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients (11 women, 13 men; mean age, 65.0 years) with severe claudication, abnormal ankle-arm pressure indexes, and lesions in the superficial femoral or popliteal artery depicted at US underwent balloon PTA with US guidance. US findings were confirmed before and after PTA by means of intravenous digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: All of 22 segmental stenoses and three of four superficial femoral artery occlusions were successfully treated (in 23 patients). In three cases, a residual stenosis was detected after initial PTA, and PTA was repeated with a larger balloon catheter. Of the 21 patients followed up for 6 months, one had reocclusion and three had hemodynamically significant restenosis. CONCLUSION: Results of PTA with US guidance in short stenoses or occlusions of the femoral or popliteal artery are similar to those of PTA with fluoroscopic control.
PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of spiral computed tomographic (CT) venography with conventional venography in the diagnosis of suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 52 consecutive patients with clinically suspected unilateral or bilateral DVT were studied with CT venography and conventional venography. In cases in which conventional venographic findings were inconclusive, color-coded duplex sonography and follow-up examinations were performed to make a final diagnosis. CT venography of both extremities covered a 100-cm section from the ankle to the inferior vena cava (IVC). Contrast material diluted with saline was injected in a dorsal vein of each foot. CT and conventional venography (including color-coded duplex sonography and follow-up findings) were correlated for three venous regions for each patient. RESULTS: Correlation was excellent between CT and conventional venographic findings in the detection of DVT. The sensitivity of CT venography was 100% (confidence interval: 0.92, 1.00), specificity was 96% (confidence interval: 0.84, 0.98), positive predictive value was 91%, and negative predictive value was 100%. CT venography more clearly demonstrated thrombus extension of DVT into the pelvic veins and IVC than conventional venography alone. CONCLUSION: CT venography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of DVT. Compared with conventional venography, CT requires use of 80% less contrast material.
Two cases of Leriche's syndrome treated by local thrombolysis and subsequent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without additional stent implantation are described. The fibrinolytic drugs were applied locally into the occlusions through a Mewissen Infusion Catheter and a Katzen Infusion Wire (initial 2.5 mg rt-PA as bolus followed by Urokinase (50000 IU/h) during 24 and 48 hours respectively. Residual stenotic lesions and occlusions were successfully treated with PTA alone in case 1 and with PTA in combination with a stent implantation in case 2. In accordance with Bean et al. (1985) and Goffette et al. (1989) we recommend local lysis in combination with PTA with or without additional stent implantation as an alternative treatment to surgery or systemic lysis for the treatment of Leriche's syndrome.
BACKGROUND: Long-term treatment with aspirin is recommended in patients with large-vessel peripheral arterial disease since these patients have a high risk of death from cardiovascular causes. Recent studies have demonstrated the prophylactic effect of low-dose aspirin in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Since aspirin is also recommended for prevention of late recurrence after peripheral angioplasty, the present study was undertaken to compare the effects of high-dose (1000 mg/d) and low-dose (100 mg/d) aspirin on long-term patency after femoropopliteal angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen patients treated successfully by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for femoropopliteal lesions were randomly allocated to therapy with either 1000 or 100 mg aspirin daily. The follow-up was 24 months. The long-term results were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between curves of cumulative patency were determined with the Wilcoxon and log-rank statistics. Complete follow-up information (patency after 24 months, restenosis, and death) was obtained in 207 patients. During the 2-year follow-up period, 72 patients--36 in the high-dose and 36 in the low-dose aspirin group, respectively--developed angiographically verified reobstruction within the recanalized segment. By intention-to-treat analysis, the cumulative patency rates at 24 months were 62.5% in the high-dose and 62.6% in the low-dose aspirin group (Wilcoxon, P = .97; log-rank, P = .97). The cumulative survival at 24 months of follow-up was 86.6% in the high-dose and 87.7% in the low-dose aspirin group. The number of patients discontinuing therapy was 30 in the high-dose and 11 in the low-dose aspirin group (P < .01). Fewer patients receiving 100 mg of aspirin discontinued therapy because of gastrointestinal symptoms (4 versus 20). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that 100 mg aspirin is no less effective in the prevention of restenosis after femoropopliteal PTA than a 1000-mg dose and has fewer side effects.
PURPOSE: To investigate prospectively with color flow duplex (CFD) sonography the incidence of pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after transfemoral arterial catheterization with angiography, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), or local lysis (LL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CFD sonography was used to examine the puncture site in 565 consecutive patients who had undergone PTA, LL, or angiography (581 procedures). RESULTS: The incidence of pseudoaneurysm in the first 300 procedures in which standard compression was used was 14.0% overall, 27.0% after LL with antegrade-puncture PTA, 18.5% after antegrade-puncture PTA, 9.3% after retrograde-puncture PTA, and 1.2% after angiography. To decrease the high incidence, in the next 281 procedures manual compression was continued for at least 5 minutes after local bleeding had stopped. This significantly reduced the incidence to 1.1% overall, 8.0% after LL in combination with PTA, 0.9% after antegrade PTA alone, 0.9% after retrograde PTA, and 0% after angiography (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of pseudoaneurysm after transfemoral arterial catheterization depends on the type of intervention. The main risk factor is too brief a period of manual compression.
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The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the specific role of hemorheologic and hemodynamic parameters for spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus formation in vivo. We therefore investigated the association between the presence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus formation by transesophageal echocardiography and multiple clinical, hemodynamic, and hemorheologic parameters in 70 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Transesophageal echocardiography showed left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and left atrial thrombi in 33% and 19% of patients, respectively. Patients with left atrial spontaneous echo contrast had a lower cardiac index (2.1 +/- 0.9 versus 2.6 +/- 0.9 L/min/m2; p < 0.02), a lower left atrial (21 +/- 8 versus 38 +/- 10 cm/sec; p < 0.001) and left atrial appendage flow velocity (17 +/- 14 versus 39 +/- 13 cm/sec; p < 0.001), a larger left atrial diameter (53 +/- 6 versus 46 +/- 10 mm; p < 0.002), and more often presented with atrial fibrillation (62% versus 32%; p < 0.02). Plasma fibrinogen concentration (4.0 +/- 1.1 versus 3.5 +/- 0.7 gm/L; p < 0.02) and plasma viscosity (1.83 +/- 0.10 versus 1.76 +/- 0.15 mPa.sec; p < 0.05) were higher in patients with spontaneous echo contrast. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between the presence of spontaneous echo contrast and left atrial flow velocity p < 0.0001) and plasma viscosity (p < 0.01). In patients with left atrial (appendage) thrombus or a history of embolism, left atrial appendage flow velocity was lower (15.0 +/- 8.2 versus 29.6 +/- 14.5 cm/sec; p < 0.005) and spontaneous echo contrast was more frequently observed (52% versus 23%; p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of a right bundle branch block (RBBB), inadvertently created prior to complete ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) junction, on the intrinsic subsidiary pacemaker function was investigated. In 31 patients suffering from intractable supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, catheter ablation of the AV junction was performed using direct current (n = 13) or radiofrequency (n = 18) energy. In 16/31 patients a RBBB was created prior to complete AV ablation. Subsidiary pacemaker function was evaluated after a mean period of 5 months. Following 5 min of ventricular pacing (70 beats.min-1) escape interval and spontaneous heart rate were measured. In patients with a RBBB there was a trend towards a longer escape interval (2979 +/- 2559 vs 1867 +/- 1254 ms, P = ns) and a significantly lower intrinsic heart rate (38 +/- 14 vs 47 +/- 8 beats.min-1, P < 0.05). Pacemaker dependency was only observed among patients with a RBBB (4/16 vs 0/15, P < 0.05). HV intervals were shorter in those energy discharges resulting in a RBBB as compared to those inducing a complete heart block (52 +/- 8 vs 66 +/- 6 ms, P < 0.05). Creation of a RBBB prior to complete ablation of the AV junction results in impaired intrinsic subsidiary pacemaker function; the most proximal catheter position should be carefully sought to minimize the risk of pacemaker dependency.
Severe heart failure developed in a 49-year-old patient 18 months after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Acute rejection as well as other overt causes of graft failure were excluded. Haemodynamic measurements suggested severe diastolic myocardial dysfunction. Since no other causes of diastolic heart failure were identified, a potential side effect from cyclosporine was considered. Cyclosporine was therefore withdrawn and immunosuppressive treatment was switched to conventional therapy consisting of azathioprine and prednisolone. Withdrawal of cyclosporine was followed by an impressive clinical improvement and by complete haemodynamic normalization. Therefore, in cases of otherwise unexplained graft failure, a potentially reversible side effect from cyclosporine should be taken into consideration.
DDS was compared to intra-arterial angiography for the diagnosis of significant (> 50%) stenoses of the celiac trunk and the SMA in 38 consecutive patients referred for angiographic evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Celiac trunk occlusion was correctly identified by DDS in three of three patients. In patients with significant celiac trunk stenoses, mean peak systolic velocity was 246 (+/- 154) cm/sec and differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the peak systolic velocity (101 +/- 22 cm/sec) of 22 patients with no angiographic evidence of significant stenosis. Five false-negative DDS examinations in patients with > 50% celiac trunk stenoses were noted. Using a peak systolic velocity of > 160 cm/sec (mean value in normal vessels plus 3 standard deviations) to diagnose > 50% celiac trunk stenosis, sensitivity of DDS was 57% and specificity was 100%. However, considering celiac trunk stenoses and occlusions as a single group, the sensitivity rate of DDS in diagnosing significant stenosis and occlusion of celiac trunk was 70%.
The case of a 70-year-old woman suffering from a long occlusion of the right branch of an aortobifemoral dacron-graft implanted six years ago is reported. Patency could be achieved by a systemic application of an ultrahigh dose of urokinase (UHUK = 9,000,000 I.U/6 h, intermittent daily application, two cycles). As a major complication macro-embolism to the popliteal artery and to the superficial femoral artery occurred, however. A further cycle of UHUK, local thrombolytic therapy (12 mg rtPA) and surgical thrombectomy failed to achieve persistent recanalization. So the patient finally had to be provided with a femoro-crural composite bypass. In conclusion, in a systemic thrombolytic therapy of occlusions of dacron grafts in the aorto-iliacal area a standard dose of urokinase (initial dose 600,000 I.U., maintenance dose 150,000 I.U./h, infusion pump) is recommended.
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Detection of patent foramen ovale by contrast echocardiography is based on transient inversion (right atrial pressure higher than left atrial pressure) of the interatrial pressure gradient. Therefore, the presence of left-sided heart disease with potential elevation of left atrial pressure might obscure the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale. Accordingly, 150 patients (88 men, 62 women; mean age 51.7 +/- 15.2 years) were evaluated for a patent foramen ovale by transesophageal contrast echocardiography. Additionally, atrial septal motion during normal respiration and during the Valsalva maneuver was analyzed. Patency of the foramen ovale was observed in 20 (27%) of 74 patients without left-sided heart disease and with previous arterial embolism, in none (0%) of 25 patients with left-sided heart disease and embolism, in 7 (39%) of 18 patients without left-sided heart disease and without embolism and in 3 (9%) of 33 patients with left-sided heart disease and without embolism. The detection rate of patent foramen ovale was lower in patients with than without left-sided heart disease (5% vs. 29%, p = 0.0007) but was similar in patients with and without embolism (20% vs. 19.5%, p = NS). Abnormal atrial septal motion was more frequently observed in patients with left-sided heart disease (p = 0.0003) and was inversely correlated to detection of patent foramen ovale (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis revealed an independent association between the absence of left-sided heart disease and the detection of patent foramen ovale (p = 0.0003). These data suggest that in patients with left-sided heart disease, patency of the foramen ovale may be missed even by transesophageal contrast echocardiography.
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The plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III-complexes (TAT) and the fibrin split product D-Dimer were measured in 39 patients with phlebographically proven acute DVT: 34 patients had proximal DVT, 5 had calf DVT. The sensitivity of D-Dimer and TAT measurements in the diagnosis of proximal DVT was found to be dependent on the duration of symptoms: 0 to 7 days (n = 27): elevated D-Dimer levels (greater than 120 ng/ml) = 1, D-Dimer Latex test positive (greater than 500 ng/ml) = 1, elevated TAT levels (greater than 6 ng/ml) = 0.88. Eight to 14 days (n = 7): elevated D-Dimer levels = 1, D-Dimer Latex test positive = 0.33, elevated TAT levels = 0.66; specificity: elevated D-Dimer: 0.48, D-Dimer Latex test: 1, elevated TAT: 0.76. Calf DVT patients (n = 5) had elevated D-Dimer levels, negative Latex tests and 3 of them had normal TAT values. Hemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters were also determined in 13 patients during heparin treatment of proximal DVT. Elevated D-Dimer and TAT levels rapidly decreased after initiation of anticoagulant therapy. In 2 of 13 patients a marked increase in D-Dimer and TAT levels was observed in periods of ineffective heparinization, documented by normal or only slightly prolonged thrombin clotting times. We conclude from our results that 1) D-Dimer EIA measurement, in contrast to TAT measurement, shows a very high sensitivity in the diagnosis of DVT, 2) due to low specificity this test can only be used to exclude thrombosis in patients with suspected DVT, and 3) the determination of the plasma levels of D-Dimer and TAT may be useful for judging the effect of anticoagulant treatment on thrombotic processes.
1-Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was administered to 3 patients with spontaneous factor VIII inhibitors. In 2 patients with baseline factor VIII levels above 1%, a marked increase of factor VIII activity after DDAVP infusion could be observed. No rise of factor VIII activity after DDAVP was seen in the 3rd patient with a baseline factor VIII level of less than 1%. Daily infusion of DDAVP resulted in a reduction of the efficacy, but the full effect could be retained when DDAVP was given at 48-hour intervals. The effect of DDAVP infusion on factor VIII levels in the 2 responding patients was superior to the treatment with 30 U/kg factor VIII concentrate and approximately equivalent to infusion of 45 U/kg factor VIII concentrate. DDAVP may be a useful and less expensive treatment for patients with acquired factor VIII inhibitors and a baseline factor VIII level of more than 1%.