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Biomedical subjects

H Ferral

Publications and source records attributed to H Ferral.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Performance of a hybrid central venous catheter utilized for both peripheral blood stem cell harvest and transplant support of patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSC) frequently require the sequential insertion of two central venous catheters, one for leukapheresis and one for transplant support. Hybrid catheters suitable for leukapheresis and long-term use have been increasingly used, but there is limited information regarding their performance and complication rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of the Pheres-Flow hybrid catheter when utilized for both leukapheresis and transplant support, with particular emphasis on the incidence of infectious and occlusive complications. We prospectively analyzed the performance of 92 catheters in 82 consecutive patients who underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Occlusion was the most frequent complication of this catheter with 29% of the patients experiencing difficulty drawing blood or infusing fluids. Infection was another frequent complication. Twenty-two percent of patients developed catheter-related bloodstream infections and 15 catheters had to be removed because of proven or suspected infection that did not respond to antibiotic therapy. Nevertheless, 77% of patients were able to complete leukapheresis and transplant support with only one catheter. We conclude that the utilization of the Pheres-Flow catheter for both leukapheresis and transplant support is feasible, but that new strategies need to be developed to decrease the incidence of occlusive and infectious complications of hybrid catheters.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Percutaneous ablation of caliceal diverticulum: long-term followup.

PURPOSE: A caliceal diverticulum is a nonsecretory cavity that serves as a conduit for urinary stasis and its ensuing complications. Indications for intervention and modes of therapy are controversial. We report a series of patients treated with a percutaneous endourological approach to ablation of the diverticular cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients underwent percutaneous ablation of a caliceal diverticulum for flank pain a mean of 15.5 months in duration. These caliceal diverticula were associated with urinary tract infection in 43% of cases and/or renal calculi in 78%. Mean calculus diameter was 10.2 mm. and mean diverticular diameter was 10.9 mm. An open ended ureteral catheter was placed into the renal pelvis via cystoscopy. Retrograde instillation of radiopaque contrast medium facilitated the localization of a percutaneous renal puncture made directly into the caliceal diverticulum. A flexible tip guide wire was coiled in the diverticulum, and no effort was made to traverse the infundibulum and establish continuity with the remainder of the collecting system. Tract dilation into the caliceal diverticulum was performed, and percutaneous stone fragmentation and extraction were accomplished. The lining of the caliceal diverticulum was electrocauterized using a roller ball electrode. A balloon nephrostomy tube consisting of a Foley catheter with the tip cut off was positioned into the diverticulum. An indwelling ureteral stent was placed and a Foley catheter provided bladder drainage for 48 hours to maintain a low pressure system. The nephrostomy tube was removed after 24 to 48 hours and the ureteral stent was removed after 2 to 4 weeks. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 162 minutes and mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. Obliteration of the diverticular infundibulum and cavity was documented by contrast radiography (excretory urography or retrograde pyelography), and noncontrast and contrast enhanced computerized tomography, respectively, in all 14 patients. No patients have had recurrent symptoms, calculi or urinary tract infection at a mean 38-month followup. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous electrocautery ablation of caliceal diverticula without cannulation or dilation of the diverticular infundibulum represents a safe and effective mode of therapy. Careful patient selection and preparation optimize the efficacy of this technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Recanalization of thrombosed superficial femoral arteries with a hydraulic thrombectomy catheter in a canine model.

OBJECTIVE: This experiment was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of the Oasis thrombectomy catheter on arterial thrombosis in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombosis was induced in 18 femoral arteries of nine mongrel dogs. Recanalization of the thrombosed femoral artery was performed using a thrombectomy catheter 7-10 days after thrombus induction. Pre- and postprocedural arterial status was documented by angiography. After mechanical thrombectomy, the animals were sacrificed and the femoral arteries were harvested and examined macro- and microscopically. Additionally, in vitro fragmentation was carried out to determine particle size and distribution from the recovered effluent. RESULTS: Subacute thrombosis was successfully created in 15 femoral arteries. Full recanalization was achieved in 80% (12/15) of the thrombosed femoral arteries without any residual thrombus. No significant downstream embolization was documented angiographically. Endothelial denudation was observed in all the treated arteries along with occasional disruption of the internal elastic lamina. No medial injury was seen. Ninety-eight percent of thrombus was liquefied, defined as particles smaller than 15 microm, by the catheter. Particles larger than 400 microm represented 0.27% of the original clot weight. CONCLUSION: Occluded femoral arteries with 7- to 10-day-old thrombus can be efficiently recanalized with the Oasis catheter in dogs without any significant complication. This thrombectomy catheter appears to be highly effective and safe and requires no sophisticated equipment. Blood loss was our major concern regarding use of this catheter but can be minimized by strictly controlling activation time and restricting the inflow into the vascular segment being treated.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Initial clinical experience with colonic stent placement.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to review initial experience with a colonic stent as an alternative to colostomy in patients with colonic obstruction. METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed with acute colonic obstructions from both benign and malignant causes underwent stent placement. Self-expandable metallic stents were deployed using fluoroscopic guidance. Patients were followed up clinically until removal of the stent or death. RESULTS: Nine of the 10 patients who underwent colonic stent placement achieved clinical decompression within 6 hours. Six patients underwent standard mechanical bowel preparation and elective resection of obstructing lesions. The other 4 patients received stent placement for palliative purposes. Complications included 4 cases of migration and 1 death. Migrated stents in the rectum were easily retrieved and replaced using fluoroscopic techniques. There were no perforations. CONCLUSION: Placement of self-expandable metallic stents for acute colonic obstructions may allow patients to undergo elective surgical resection avoiding possible colostomy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Combined percutaneous antegrade and cystoscopic retrograde ureteral stent placement: an alternative technique in cases of ureteral discontinuity.

We describe an alternative method of double J stent placement for ureteral transection following the failure of traditional antegrade and retrograde approaches. Cystoscopically, a guidewire was placed across the distal ureteral segment and was advanced into a urinoma cavity at the level of the transected ureter. Subsequently, an antegrade approach was used to place a gooseneck snare through the proximal ureteral segment into the urinoma cavity. The guidewire was grasped with the snare and pulled through the percutaneous access site. A double J ureteral stent was then placed using the typical antegrade method.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Refractory ascites: midterm results of treatment with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

PURPOSE: To assess midterm results and examine factors associated with successful treatment of refractory ascites with creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 50 patients with refractory ascites, TIPS creation was performed. Clinical and ultrasound follow-up were performed. Success was defined as survival with no further therapeutic paracentesis and decreased ascites. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 11.6 months after the TIPS procedure. Major complications occurred in 16% of patients including intraperitoneal hemorrhage, refractory encephalopathy, and progression of liver and renal failure. Overall mortality was 60% (30 patients). In 23 (62%) of 37 patients not lost to follow-up, ascites was controlled successfully at 1-3 months. A bilirubin level greater than 3.0 mg/dL (52 mumol/L) and creatinine level greater than 1.9 mg/dL (170 mumol/L) were associated with treatment failure (86% treatment failure at 3 months) and early mortality (P = .03). In all 14 patients alive at 1-year follow-up, ascites was controlled successfully. CONCLUSION: TIPS creation is often useful in treatment of severe ascites not controlled with medical therapy. In patients with advanced liver and renal failure, TIPS creation is not associated with a definite benefit and may hasten death.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Colorectal obstruction: treatment with metallic stents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of self-expandable metallic stents in the treatment of acute colonic obstruction secondary to colorectal neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stents were placed in 12 patients with clinical and radiologic signs of acute colonic obstruction. After symptom improvement, patients underwent radiologic staging. Single-stage surgery was performed in patients without disseminated disease. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in all patients. Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction resolved within 24 hours of stent placement in 10 patients (83%). In two patients with massive bowel dilation, improvement was evident 2 and 4 days after stent placement. Ten patients underwent elective single-stage surgery with partial colonic resection and creation of a primary end-to-end anastomosis without major complications. In two patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, stent placement was considered the primary palliative treatment. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement to relieve acute colonic obstruction secondary to colorectal carcinoma is a safe therapeutic alternative, allowing single-stage surgery in suitable cases. In patients who are not surgical candidates it is an adequate palliative option.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure on the quality of life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected on 99 patients who underwent the TIPS procedure between September 1991 and September 1995. Quality of life was assessed by the Karnofsky scale before and at intervals after the procedure. Procedure-related complications and other aspects of the patients' overall well-being, as reflected in liver and kidney function and nutritional status, were reviewed immediately before and after TIPS creation. Finally, mortality and TIPS patency rates were tabulated. RESULTS: We observed significantly improved quality of life. The quality of life remained significantly improved throughout the 24-month follow-up period. During the 1- to 3-month interval after the TIPS procedure, we observed in patients a significant decrease in blood urea nitrogen and an increase in albumin and bilirubin. During this period, patients had no significant change in liver enzymes, prothrombin time, ammonia, or creatinine. Complications of the TIPS procedure included a 30% incidence of new or worsened encephalopathy and a 15% incidence of other severe complications (intraperitoneal hemorrhage, severe accelerated liver failure). The procedure-related death rate was 5%. Longer term follow-up showed an overall sustained decrease in blood urea nitrogen, an increase in albumin, and a return of bilirubin to the pre-TIPS levels or below. CONCLUSION: For patients who survive longer than 1 month, TIPS results in an overall, sustained improvement in the quality of life. Improved quality of life may result from a low incidence of repeat variceal bleeding, decreased ascites, and improved nutritional status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Duplex sonography after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS): normal hemodynamic findings and efficacy in predicting shunt patency and stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Portal hemodynamics are altered by placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Normal duplex sonographic findings after TIPS placement and hemodynamic alterations indicating shunt failure have not yet been well described. The purposes of this study were to determine normal hemodynamic changes on duplex sonography after TIPS placement and to assess the efficacy of duplex sonography in detecting shunt dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty patients underwent TIPS placement and were entered into a study that included routine sonographic evaluation and portal venography at regular intervals. Portal venography was also performed if shunt velocities on duplex sonography changed from the baseline, which raised the question of shunt stenosis or occlusion. The pre-TIPS duplex sonographic study included determination of patency, velocity, and flow direction in the main, right, and left portal veins and in the hepatic artery. Follow-up sonography included the pre-TIPS examination in addition to velocity determinations in three segments of the shunt. Correlation was made between 82 concurrent sonographic and portal venographic studies. RESULTS: High-velocity blood flow (mean peak velocity, 135-200 cm/sec) was consistently seen within patent, well-functioning shunts. Hepatic artery peak systolic velocities increased from 79 cm/sec before TIPS placement to 131 cm/sec after TIPS placement (p < .001). Main portal vein velocities increased from 21.8 cm/sec before TIPS placement to 41.5 cm/sec after TIPS placement (p < .001). When compared with portal venography, duplex sonography was 98% sensitive and 100% specific in predicting the presence of blood flow within the stent. Sonography was highly sensitive and specific for detecting stent stenosis. Final sonographic criteria for shunt stenosis in angiographically documented cases were low-velocity shunt flow (< or = 60 cm/sec) in the entire stent, or low-velocity shunt flow with an associated focal velocity elevation. CONCLUSION: Consistent changes in portal venous and hepatic arterial hemodynamics are normally seen on duplex sonography after placement of a TIPS. Duplex sonography accurately predicts shunt patency and dysfunction when compared with portal venography. Duplex sonography is an effective, noninvasive method of evaluating shunt function and should be considered for use as the primary imaging technique in routine follow-up after TIPS placement.

Adolescent↗