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J J Connors

Publications and source records attributed to J J Connors.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Transcatheter interventions for the treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic lesions: part II.

Transcatheter endovascular procedures are increasingly used to treat symptomatic peripheral atherosclerosis. This second part of a two-part review assesses the existing supportive evidence for the application of recently introduced transcatheter treatments for lesions that cause cerebrovascular ischemia and stroke. Studies were identified via MEDLINE (January 1993 through April 1999) and reference lists of identified articles. When multicenter prospective randomized trials or other high-quality studies were unavailable, studies with at least 50 patients per treated group and a minimum follow-up duration of 6 months were included. For each application, the authors assessed the quality of evidence (efficacy, safety, and, where available, cost-effectiveness) and made recommendations with appropriate caveats. Although recommendations based on proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness cannot be made in general, the use of transcatheter therapies can be supported in specific circumstances based on expected reduction in procedure-related morbidity and/or mortality. It is hoped that the identification of deficiencies in the literature will inform and inspire critically needed research in this area.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Current status of carotid bifurcation angioplasty and stenting based on a consensus of opinion leaders.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid bifurcation angioplasty and stenting (CBAS) has generated controversy and widely divergent opinions about its current therapeutic role. To resolve differences and establish a unified view of CBAS' present role, a consensus conference of 17 experts, world opinion leaders from five countries, was held on November 21, 1999. METHODS: These 17 participants had previously answered 18 key questions on current CBAS issues. At the conference these 18 questions and participants' answers were discussed and in some cases modified to determine points of agreement (consensus), near consensus, (prevailing opinion), or divided opinion (disagreement). RESULTS: Conference discussion added two modified questions, placing a total of 20 key questions before the participants, representing four specialties (interventional radiology, seven; vascular surgery, six; interventional cardiology, three; neurosurgery, one). It is interesting that consensus was reached on the answers to 11 (55%) of 20 of the questions, and near consensus was reached on answers to 6 (30%) of 20 of the questions. Only with the answers to three (15%) of the questions was there persisting controversy. Moreover, both these differences and areas of agreement crossed specialty lines. Consensus Conclusions: CBAS should not currently undergo widespread practice, which should await results of randomized trials. CBAS is currently appropriate treatment for patients at high risk in experienced centers. CBAS is not generally appropriate for patients at low risk. Neurorescue skills should be available if CBAS is performed. When cerebral protection devices are available, they should be used for CBAS. Adequate stents and technology for performing CBAS currently exist. There were divergent opinions regarding the proportions of patients presently acceptable for CBAS treatment (<5% to 100%, mean 44%) and best treated by CBAS (<3% to 100%, mean 34%). These and other consensus conclusions will help physicians in all specialties deal with CBAS in a rational way rather than by being guided by unsubstantiated claims.

Angioplasty↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic lesions: evolution of technique and short-term results.

OBJECT: A retrospective analysis of a 9-year experience with balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was undertaken with the goals of illustrating development of a safe technique for treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease and reporting the immediate results in this series of patients. METHODS: Three distinct periods are defined, based on the technique used. In the early period, in which eight patients were treated, the angioplasty balloon size approximated the vessel size, but was always smaller. Angioplasty was moderately rapid and brief (15-30 seconds). Clinical improvement occurred in seven (87.5%) of eight patients, dissection without consequence occurred in four (50%) of eight, and residual stenosis greater than 50% was found in three (37.5%) of eight. No neurological complications occurred. In the middle period, in which 12 patients were treated, the balloon size approximated the vessel size, but oversizing by up to 0.25 mm was permitted. Angioplasty was extremely rapid and brief. Angiographically visible dissection occurred in nine (75%) of 12 patients, necessitating urokinase infusion in five (41.7%) of 12 and producing abrupt occlusion in one (8.3%) of 12, resulting in death. Occlusion secondary to the recrossing of the lesion occurred in one (8.3%) of 12, resulting in stroke. Good outcome was eventually achieved in 10 (83.3%) of 12. In the current period, in which 50 patients have been treated, the balloon is always undersized and inflation is extremely slow (several minutes). Dissection occurred in seven (14%) of 50 patients, necessitating fibrinolysis in two of 50 (4%, both uneventful) and producing no abrupt occlusion or stroke. Residual stenosis greater than 50% occurred in eight (16%) of 50, with no stenosis greater than 70%. Late restenosis occurred in four (9%) of 44 and successful repeated angioplasty was performed in all four. One guidewire vessel perforation occurred (2%), resulting in the patient's death. Good angiographic and short-term clinical outcome was achieved in the other 49 patients (98%). CONCLUSIONS: Extremely slow balloon inflation combined with balloon undersizing results in decreased intimal damage, decreased acute platelet/thrombus deposition, and decreased acute closure. This technique sometimes yields suboptimal angiographic results but achieves the clinical goal safely. Intracranial angioplasty can be safely performed using this technique and modern equipment.

Aortic Dissection↗

Emergency endovascular treatment of stroke.

The key to treating arterial or venous vascular occlusive process is to remove the occluding thrombus. We review the available thrombolytic agents and their potential benefits and complications. The results of recent clinical trials are discussed along with strategies for treating intracranial arterial occlusion and venous sinus thrombosis.

Adult↗

Angiographic arterial embolization and computed tomography-directed drainage for the management of hemorrhage and infection with abdominal pregnancy.

Hemorrhage during or after surgery, pelvic abscess, bowel obstruction, and prolonged febrile morbidity can complicate the puerperal course of the gravida after removal of an extrauterine fetus with nondisturbance of the extrauterine placenta. In this report we describe the successful angiographic arterial gelfoam embolization of the placental vascular bed to control heavy postoperative hemorrhage in a mother suffering adult respiratory distress syndrome after removal of the fetal portion of her abdominal pregnancy. Six weeks later, computed tomography (CT)-directed drainage by catheter of a placental abscess was performed. Selective angiographic transcatheter embolization with gelfoam is a useful tool for the control of hemorrhage in the gravida who is an unfavorable operative candidate or who may present technical hemostasis problems peculiar to the placenta with abdominal pregnancy. Later use of CT-directed catheter drainage of the infected residual placental mass provided a nonoperative means of treatment.

Abscess↗

A helpless bystander.

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Emergency Service, Hospital↗