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Biomedical subjects

B L Dolmatch

Publications and source records attributed to B L Dolmatch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Single-lumen subcutaneous ports inserted by interventional radiologists in patients undergoing chemotherapy: incidence of infection and outcome of attempted catheter salvage.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous ports are commonly used for vascular access in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of catheter-related infection and to assess the efficacy of catheter salvage in subcutaneous ports. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 300 subcutaneous single-lumen chest ports inserted by interventional radiologists in 294 patients between December 1, 1995, and November 15, 1997, at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. The number of days that the catheter remained in situ, infection rate, treatment, and outcome of infection were determined. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-four patients had a total of 79 748 catheter-days. Vascular access for chemotherapy was the indication for 95% of the subcutaneous ports placed. Seventeen catheters (5.7%) developed 20 episodes of noninfectious complications resulting in the removal of 6 ports. Seventeen patients (5.7%) developed catheter-related infections (2.1/10 000 catheter-days) including 10 episodes of catheter-related bacteremia (1.2/10 000 catheter-days). The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 15 of the 17 infected catheters were removed. Salvage was attempted in 6 patients in whom 4 catheters were eventually removed due to recurrent bacteremia (2 patients) and persistent local infection (2 patients). One of the 10 patients with catheter-related bacteremia developed septic arthritis. There were no complications associated with attempted catheter salvage. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous single-lumen ports inserted by interventional radiologists in patients undergoing chemotherapy have low complication rates but infections remain the leading cause of catheter loss. Antibiotic therapy without catheter removal is unlikely to eradicate catheter-related bacteremia.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Treatment of type II endoleaks with Onyx.

Endoleaks are defined as persistent perfusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after endovascular stent-graft deployment. The authors describe their experience treating six endoleaks with the liquid embolic agent Onyx (ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer). Complete endoleak occlusion was achieved in five of six cases. Follow-up imaging has demonstrated decreased aneurysm diameter in all patients 7-29 weeks (mean = 19.2 weeks) after treatment.

Aged↗

Use of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer for tubal sterilization by selective catheterization in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Uryx) in nonsurgically occluding the fallopian tube and achieving tubal sterilization in the rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten mature virgin female New England rabbits underwent transvaginal selective bilateral fallopian tube cannulation with use of a coaxial catheter system under general anesthesia. Selective salpingography was performed bilaterally to assess patency of the fallopian tubes. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer was injected unilaterally through a microcatheter to completely fill the middle portion of the tube. Three to seven days after injection, each animal was bred. Conception was determined by ultrasonography (US) 7-19 days after effective breeding. If pregnant, the rabbit was killed. Otherwise, it was permitted to rebreed until pregnancy was achieved. Histologic specimens of the fallopian tubes were prepared and analyzed. RESULTS: Patency of the fallopian tubes was demonstrated bilaterally in all animals by the free spillage of contrast material into the peritoneum. The delivery of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer into the fallopian tubes was successful in all animals but one, in which most of the plug almost immediately extruded into the uterus. Pregnancy was detected by US in the untreated fallopian tube in the nine rabbits that were receptive to breeding. No pregnancies were detected in the injected side. Histologic analysis demonstrated variable degrees of occlusion, fibrosis, and inflammation, with the majority of specimens demonstrating mild to moderate inflammation and moderate to marked fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer can reliably be placed nonsurgically via the transvaginal approach into the fallopian tubes with use of a coaxial catheter system. Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer appears to result in less fibrosis than previously investigated agents and demonstrates a 100% early sterilization rate in the rabbit model.

Animals↗

Acute upper extremity deep venous thrombosis: safety and effectiveness of superior vena caval filters.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous filter placement in the superior vena cava for prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) due to acute upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with contraindications to or unsuccessful anticoagulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with acute upper extremity DVT and contraindications to or unsuccessful anticoagulation underwent percutaneous placement of a superior vena caval filter for prevention of PE. Four types of filters were used. Follow-up chest radiographs were used to detect filter migration, dislodgment, and fracture. Placements of central venous and Swan-Ganz catheters after filter insertion were recorded. Patients were followed up clinically for evidence of superior vena cava syndrome and PE. Kaplan-Meier survival rates were determined. Follow-up was 1 day to 221 weeks. RESULTS: No complications such as filter migration, dislodgment, or fracture occurred (median follow-up, 12 weeks). No patients developed clinical evidence of PE due to upper extremity thrombosis or superior vena cava syndrome (median follow-up, 15 weeks). Catheters were placed subsequent to filter placement in 23 patients (56%) without complication. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous filter placement in the superior vena cava is a safe and effective method for preventing symptomatic PE due to acute upper extremity DVT in patients in whom therapeutic anticoagulation has failed or is contraindicated.

Acute Disease↗

Synthetic dialysis shunts: thrombolysis with the Cragg thrombolytic brush catheter.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Cragg thrombolytic brush catheter for declotting of synthetic arteriovenous dialysis shunts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 77 patients with synthetic forearm loop shunts that were thrombosed were randomly assigned to undergo pharmacomechanical thrombolysis with a pulsed spray (n = 34) or a thrombolytic brush catheter (n = 43). The following findings were evaluated: declotting time, urokinase dose, procedure time, complications, and shunt patency at the first dialysis session and at 3 months. All data were collected prospectively in an unblinded manner. RESULTS: The total amount of urokinase used, including secondary interventions, was 243,657 IU with the catheter versus 476,563 IU with the pulsed spray (P = .001). At 15 minutes, clot lysis was successful in 66% of the patients with the catheter versus in 19% with the pulsed spray (P = .001). At 30 minutes, clot lysis was successful in 98% with the catheter versus 47% with the pulsed spray (P = .001). Procedure complication rates and patency at 3 months were similar for the catheter and the pulsed-spray groups. CONCLUSION: Use of the Cragg catheter with urokinase offered faster and more complete clot lysis than did use of the pulsed spray with urokinase. The amount of urokinase used with the catheter was half that used with the pulsed spray. Shunt patency at 3 months was similar for the two treatment methods.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗

Efficacy of percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping in restoring patency of tunneled hemodialysis catheters.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping as a method of restoring function to failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 131 percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping procedures were performed on 100 failing tunneled hemodialysis catheters in 91 patients. Only the initial stripping procedure of the first catheter inserted in each patient was included for analysis. Patients were excluded if an additional cause of catheter failure was noted at the time of percutaneous fibrin stripping. Failure of the hemodialysis catheter was defined as inability to sustain an average blood flow rate of 250 ml/min or more in a hemodialysis session. Patients were followed up until the time of catheter failure, catheter removal, or a second stripping. Poststripping primary patency and complication rates were determined. RESULTS: The technical success of the procedure was 95.6%. Median follow-up was 16 weeks (range, 0-128 weeks). The overall median duration of primary patency after the first stripping was 89 days (3 months). No statistically significant difference in primary patency rates was seen between patients who underwent fibrin sheath demonstration by contrast injection and those who did not (p = .71). Female patients were statistically more likely to have catheter failure after catheter stripping than were male patients (p = .02). The route of catheter insertion did not significantly influence poststripping patency rates. No complications were associated with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous fibrin sheath stripping is a safe, effective method of restoring patency to failing hemodialysis catheters when the failure is due to fibrin sheath formation and other causes are excluded.

Case-Control Studies↗

Rheolytic thrombectomy in the treatment of acute limb-threatening ischemia: immediate results and six-month follow-up of the multicenter AngioJet registry. Possis Peripheral AngioJet Study AngioJet Investigators.

We tested the efficacy of rheolytic thrombectomy in treating 21 patients (mean age 68+/-12 years; 66% male) and 22 vessels (limbs) who presented to the hospital within 2 weeks of the development of limb-threatening ischemia. Fifty-two percent had contraindications to use thrombolytics, and 57% had severe comorbidities. All of the vessels were occluded with thrombus on the initial angiogram. Procedural success was achieved in 20 limbs (91%). Three patients expired in the hospital, and one expired at follow-up due to nonvascular causes. Acute limb salvage was achieved in 18 of 19 limbs (95%) in the 18 survivors, and 6-month limb salvage was achieved in 16 of 18 limbs (89%) in the 17 survivors. Rheolytic thrombectomy is effective in restoring immediate blood flow in acute limb-threatening ischemia, especially in high-risk surgical patients or patients with contraindications to thrombolytic therapy.

Aged↗

Self-expandable metallic airway stent insertion employing flexible bronchoscopy: preliminary results.

We describe 37 patients in whom 52 self-expandable metallic stents were successfully placed using a flexible bronchoscope. Indications for stenting were tracheobronchomalacia (n=13), neoplasia (n=20), and tracheal stenosis (n=4). Airway patency was restored in all patients. Symptoms improved in all but one patient. The median follow-up for all patients and the group of 16 patients alive has been 21 and 69.5 weeks, respectively. Complications have included granulomas and bronchitis. Migration or mucus plugging was not encountered. We conclude that metallic stents can be inserted safely using a flexible bronchoscope. At least in the short term, major complications are uncommon.

Adult↗

Use of Wallstents for hemodialysis access-related venous stenoses and occlusions untreatable with balloon angioplasty.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the Wallstent endoluminal prosthesis can be used to maintain patency of venous stenoses and occlusions related to hemodialysis access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wallstents were placed in 52 patients with 56 lesions. Thirty-two lesions were in central veins and 24 were in peripheral veins. Stents were placed immediately after failed angioplasty in 39 patients, because of early restenosis after angioplasty in four, and for treatment of a lesion unsuitable for angioplasty in eight. The remaining five lesions were treated at the operator's discretion after predilation. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 96%. The cumulative primary patency rate was 46% at 6 months and 20% at 12 months; however, with repeat treatment, the cumulative assisted patency rate was 76% at 6 months and 33% at 12 months. Known causes of recurrence included intimal hyperplasia in or near the stent, stent slippage, and remote stenoses. Complications included two stent migrations due to central line placement and one stent-related pseudoaneurysm. CONCLUSION: Wallstents are safe to deploy for dialysis access. Wallstents are useful for treating lesions that fail angioplasty and catheter-related central venous occlusions.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Directional atherectomy treatment for hemodialysis access: early results.

The Simpson atherectomy device was used to treat 12 intragraft stenoses, six complete subclavian vein occlusions, and 14 venous outflow stenoses in 24 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients were followed up clinically and by means of venography at approximately 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Twenty-eight atherectomy specimens were examined histologically. Twenty-six (81%) of 32 lesions were treated with initial technical success. Including technical failures, seven (58%) of 12 intragraft stenoses are angiographically patent at a mean of 5.0 months and five (50%) of 10 are clinically patent at 6 months. Three (50%) of six subclavian veins are angiographically patent at a mean of 5.6 months, and four (67%) of six are clinically patent at 6 months. Three (21%) of 14 venous outflow stenoses are angiographically patent at a mean of 5.0 months and five (38%) of 13 are clinically patent at 6 months. Histologic examination showed neointimal fibromuscular hyperplasia in 26 of 28 lesions. When 30% or less angiographic residual stenosis is used as the criterion for initial technical success, directional atherectomy appears to be effective therapy for intragraft stenoses and, with balloon angioplasty, for some catheter insertion-related subclavian occlusions. Directional atherectomy appears to have a recurrence rate for venous outflow stenoses similar to that for balloon angioplasty when the same criterion is used.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗

Combined retrograde-antegrade ureteral stent passage: salvage procedure for a ureteral leak.

The authors describe a stent placement procedure for treatment of an infected ureteral leak after failure of traditional antegrade and retrograde approaches. In this procedure, a guide wire was placed across the distal ureteral segment into a urinoma with use of cystoscopic guidance. Thereafter, an antegrade approach was used to pass a wire loop snare, capture the guide wire, and withdraw it through the proximal ureter for subsequent stent passage. This approach allowed percutaneous stabilization of a ureteral leak in a patient who would have otherwise required immediate surgical repair.

Aged↗

The cause of superior vena cava syndrome: diagnosis with percutaneous atherectomy.

The cause of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) in two patients was identified by means of endovascular biopsy of the superior vena cava (SVC) performed with a percutaneous atherectomy catheter. In both cases, the extracted tissues were neoplastic, therefore obviating additional invasive procedures. After a specific diagnosis was established, external-beam radiation therapy was used to treat the SVCS. The atherectomy catheter was used in conjunction with other percutaneous techniques, including balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting of the SVC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Blue toe syndrome: treatment with percutaneous atherectomy.

"Blue toe syndrome" refers to digital ischemia of the foot in the presence of palpable or Doppler audible pedal pulses. This clinical syndrome is caused by microembolization to small vessels from a proximal source. The use of percutaneous transluminal atherectomy is described in the treatment of embologenic superficial femoral artery lesions in seven patients. All seven had prompt healing of the ischemic toes, and none required surgical revascularization or amputation. One patient developed a recurrent stenosis at the atherectomy site and had a second episode of digital ischemia, which was treated by means of atherectomy with a larger device. Histologic study of atherectomy specimens suggests that emboli arise from adherent fibrinoplatelet aggregates or thrombus and less often from cholesterol-rich atheromatous plaque. Although either percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or atherectomy can be used to treat the underlying stenosis, percutaneous atherectomy offers the advantage of nonsurgical removal of embologenic material and provides material for histologic study. Percutaneous atherectomy is an effective method of treating embologenic superficial femoral stenoses in patients with ipsilateral blue toe syndrome.

Adult↗

AIDS-related cholangitis: radiographic findings in nine patients.

Acalculous inflammation of the biliary tract is a recently reported complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In a 33-month period, nine men with AIDS were evaluated because of right upper quadrant and/or epigastric pain, jaundice, or abnormal liver function test results. Each patient underwent ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; seven also underwent computed tomography. In eight of nine patients the imaging studies disclosed intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct changes identical to those seen in sclerosing cholangitis (strictures, focal dilatation, thickened duct walls). Isolated papillary stenosis and ductal dilatation were present in one patient, while eight patients had some stricturing of the distal common duct. The combination of papillary stenosis and intrahepatic ductal strictures appears unique to AIDS-related cholangitis. Endoscopic papillotomy provided variable relief to symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. Cholangitis caused by cytomegalovirus and/or Cryptosporidium infection is the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Modifications on the heterocyclic base of acyclovir: syntheses and antiviral properties.

A group of compounds was prepared in which variations of the ring portion of the acyclovir (ACV) structure were made. These modifications included monocyclic (isocytosine, triazole, imidazole), bicyclic (8-azapurine, pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine, pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine) and tricyclic (linear benzoguanine) congeners. The derivatives were evaluated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by the plaque-inhibition and plaque-reduction methods with only the 8-azapurine analogue 28 showing some activity. In a test measuring the ability of these compounds to inhibit the HSV-1 thymidine kinase, 28 and the tricyclic derivative 38 exhibited competition with ACV for binding to the enzyme. The inability of the group to exert significant antiherpetic action is attributed to their lack of phosphorylation to the requisite triphosphate stage.

Acyclovir↗