PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Koussa

Publications and source records attributed to M Koussa.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

[Hypertension revealing aneurysmal renal fibrodysplasia].

A 20-year-old woman consulted for severe hypertension which revealed aneurismal stenosing fibrodysplasia of the renal arteries. The diagnosis was established by duplex Doppler which visualized tight stenosis of the distal portion of the right renal artery and the proximal portion of the left, associated with aneurismal lesions downstream from the strictures (1.8 cm on the right and 1.3 cm on the left). The lesions were highly suggestive of fibrodysplasia and were confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. Endoluminal revascularization was undertaken because of the severe hypertension and the presence of arterial lesions. Revascularization was unsuccessful and severe hypertension persisted. Surgery was performed in two stages. The first procedure consisted in resection of the left aneurismal lesion with aortorenal internal saphene bypass. Secondarily, exclusion of the right aneurysm was performed with cure of the stricture by extracorporal renal surgery with anastomosis of the renal artery to the aorta and the renal vein to the vena cava. Clinical outcome was favorable. Angioscan and duplex Doppler controls at three and six months confirmed the anatomic success of the revascularization. Aneurysm of the renal artery, like renal artery stenotic dysplasia, is a rare but probably underestimated condition due to insufficient screening. This diagnosis should be entertained in hypertensive young women. There is risk of rupture of the aneurysm. Aneurysmal lesions can be associated with renal artery stenosis which usually involves a short segment of the artery, as in our case. Renal aneurysms should be treated when one of the following elements is present: aneurysm measuring more than 20 mm, progressing aneurysm, dissection, discovery in a patient with a renal risk (single kidney, renal insufficiency), desire for pregnancy, severe hypertension recently discovered in a young subject associated with dysplastic stenosis, isolated aneurysm associated with recent severe hypertension, as reported here.

Adult↗

Angioplasty and stenting for high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis: safety study in 39 selected patients.

BACKGROUND: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is sometimes used as an alternative to surgery, despite the lack of evidence for its safety and efficacy. METHOD: Over a 33-month period, 39 consecutive patients with a stenosis >/=70% underwent CAS (4 in a randomized trial and 35 because of contra-indications for surgery). RESULTS: In 5 patients (13%; 95% CI: 3-23), a major complication occurred (3 disabling ischaemic strokes, 1 myocardial infarction, 1 acute interstitial nephropathy). In 7 patients (18%; 95% CI: 6-30), a minor complication occurred (5 transient ischaemic attacks, 1 transient confusional state, 1 non-disabling ischaemic stroke). CONCLUSION: CAS cannot be considered as a routine procedure and should be restricted to high-risk patients unfit for surgery.

Adult↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of proximal vertebral artery stenosis: long-term clinical follow-up of 16 consecutive patients.

We report long-term (average 30 months) clinical and radiological follow-up of 16 consecutive patients with uni- or bilateral proximal vertebral artery stenosis who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), without stenting, between 1995 and 1998. Assessment was performed by an independent neurologist. All patients but one remained asymptomatic during follow-up; moderate restenosis was observed in four. PTA of the proximal vertebral artery is safe but in the absence of knowledge of the natural history of atherosclerotic vertebral artery stenosis, whether it is beneficial or not remains unproven. The decision as to whether to perform this procedure is individual.

Adult↗

Risk factors of early and late complications in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: to identify pre-operative factors that could predict complications following from transluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). METHODS: during a 5-year period, 96 consecutive patients underwent elective endovascular treatment of a AAA. In all patients, helical CT and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and plain abdominal roentgenogram were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and yearly thereafter. Angiography was performed systematically 1 year after the stent-graft implantation, or earlier if helical CT or MRI diagnosed an increase in the maximal transverse diameter or a high flow endoleak. RESULTS: early (<30 days) morbidity (12%) was significantly increased by pre-operative renal insufficiency (p < 0.01). Early mortality (2%) correlated with ASA score (p = 0.01). Median follow-up was 27 months (range 3-66). Mortality (12%) during follow-up was correlated to the pre-operative coronary status (p = 0.01). A type I endoleak was diagnosed in 18 patients (19%). Common iliac artery diameter was correlated with the presence of type I endoleak (p < 0.001). A type II endoleak was diagnosed in 47 (49%) patients. The diagnostic of type II endoleak was significantly increased (p = 0.001) in patients with pre-operative patent IMA associated with more than four patent lumbar arteries. The anatomic characteristics of the aneurysm were correlated to the additional endovascular procedures during stentgraft implantation (p = 0.01), and to the implantation of a complementary iliac limb extension during follow-up (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: the risk factors determined by this statistical analysis could help surgeons to select more accurately patients suitable for endovascular treatment.

Aged↗

Stent-graft repair of the thoracic aorta: short-term results.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical feasibility and immediate outcome of stent-graft repair of the thoracic aorta. From December 1999 to January 2001, a total of 14 patients underwent stent-graft repair of the thoracic aorta. The underlying etiologies were traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus in four cases, Stanford type B dissection in four, thoracic aortic aneurysm in three, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer in two cases, and postoperative aortoesophageal fistula in one case. Stent-graft placement was performed under angiographic control in all cases in association with transesophageal echography in seven cases. The procedure was performed under emergency conditions in five cases. Thirteen patients presented contraindications for surgery. Stent-graft placement was successful in all cases. No further surgery has been performed in any case. Thus we conclude that endovascular treatment of the thoracic aorta using stent grafts is a promising therapeutic modality in patients with contraindications for conventional surgical treatment.

Adult↗

Diagnosis and treatment of type II endoleak after stent placement for exclusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

After endovascular treatment of AAA, regular clinical and radiologic surveillance is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment of mid-term and long-term complications. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in screening for type II endoleaks and assessing the results of treatment by embolization. From March 1996 to November 1999, 64 patients with uncomplicated infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were treated by endovascular exclusion with a covered aortic stent. Radiological surveillance included plain abdominal roentgenogram (PAR), CT scan, and pelvioabdominal MRI at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Arteriography was performed routinely after 1 year or sooner if an endoleak was suspected. Based on the results of this study, MRI seems to be more sensitive than CT scanning for detection of type II endoleaks. The negative predictive value of MRI is also better. In this series, all endoleaks were treated by embolization. In most cases, the maximum transverse diameter and maximum anteroposterior diameter decreased after embolization. Further follow-up will be necessary to confirm these findings.

Aged↗

Rupture of an aneurysm of the coronary sinus of Valsalva: diagnosis by helical CT angiography.

A 75-year-old man presented with a 5-day history of upper chest discomfort. On auscultation, there was a systolic murmur in the left parasternal area that radiated to the apex. Electrocardiography showed flat T waves in the anterior precordial leads. Chest X ray revealed mediastinal enlargement. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a dilated proximal ascending aorta with moderate aortic regurgitation. A contrast-enhanced helical CT scan, performed to eliminate an aortic dissection, showed a ruptured left coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, confirmed at surgery. This case highlights the fact that helical CT, in patients with suspected aortic dissection, may reveal other pathology that accounts for the clinical presentation.

Aged↗

Prospective evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging after endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of type II endoleaks during follow-up after endovascular treatment of intra-renal aortic aneurysms. DESIGN: prospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: between March 1996 and November 1999, 31 patients with infra-renal aortic aneurysms who underwent stentgraft implantation were followed with helical CT and MRI, including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), at 1 and 6 months after the procedure. Arteriography was performed between 6 and 12 months after intervention. The parameters studied included the change in the maximum anteroposterior and transverse diameters, the nature of the signal on T1 and T2 weighted sequences (homogeneous vs heterogeneous), the presence or absence of Gadolinium uptake on MRI or of contrast uptake on helical CT (early and late phases) in the sac of the aneurysm. On MRA, stentgraft patency and endoleak detection were studied. RESULTS: arteriography demonstrated an endoleak in 19 patients (18 type II, and 1 type I endoleak). MRI at 6 months detected 18/19 endoleaks on T1 weighted sequences after injection of Gadoliniumj; there were 2 false positives. MRA sequences confirmed stentgraft patency in all patients, but did not diagnose type II endoleaks. Helical CT (late phase) at 6 months detected 10/19 endoleaks; there was 1 false positive. The sensitivity of MRI after injection of Gadolinium and of helical CT for the detection of type II endoleaks were 94% and 50% (p=0.003) respectively. The mean maximal anteroposterior and transverse diameters were similar on MRI and on helical CT at 1 month and at 6 months. CONCLUSION: MRI after injection of Gadolinium is more sensitive than helical CT in the detection of type II endoleaks after stentgraft implantation. Its more widespread use may permit earlier intervention in such patients.

Aged↗

Embolization of type II endoleaks after aortic stent-graft implantation: technique and immediate results.

PURPOSE: We report the procedural details and immediate results of treatment of type II endoleaks after aortic stent-graft implantation. METHODS: In a consecutive series of patients who had either Vangard (n = 53) or Talent (n = 7) aortic stent-grafts implanted, type II endoleaks were confirmed by means of angiography in 18 patients, with a mean (+/- SD) age of 69 +/- 11 years; 16 patients had Vangard stent-grafts, and two patients had Talent stent-grafts. After superselective catheterization of the feeding vessel, with 3F microcatheters, and liberal injections of vasodilators, embolization was performed with either a mixture of biologic glue and Lipiodol (n = 16) or Microcoils (n = 2). RESULTS: The procedure was performed through the femoral artery in 16 patients and through the brachial artery in the remaining two patients. Overall, superselective catheterization and embolization were successfully undertaken in 17 (94.4%) of 18 patients. In the remaining patient, superselective catheterization proved impossible. This patient was treated with an injection of microparticles completed by means of embolization of biologic glue more proximally in an iliolumbar branch. During follow-up (mean, 13.3 months) after embolization, the aneurysm sac shrank in 13 (72.2%) of 18 patients. A new type II endoleak was diagnosed on helical computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in two (11.1%) of 18 patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous embolization is a safe and effective technique for treatment of type II endoleaks. However, despite these initially promising results, large long-term follow-up studies will be required to confirm its efficiency.

Aged↗

[Peripheral arterial revascularization: which antithrombotic agents?].

Thrombotic occlusion after vascular reconstructive surgery is a frequent complication, specially when low-flow arteries and arterial prostheses are involved. Heparin therapy is usually administered in acute arterial insufficiency, and also during the perioperative period, in order to limit thrombus formation or propagation at the surgical or the cross-clamp application sites. The overall benefit of antiplatelet agents, specially aspirin, during the pre, peri and postoperative periods has been clearly demonstrated for arterial prostheses, and is probably useful in venous bypasses. Aspirin therapy also prevents thrombotic complication in other vascular beds, and reduces long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Oral anticoagulation by vitamin K antagonists, alone or combined with aspirin is perhaps an appropriate choice in selected patients with high risk of graft thrombosis, but cannot be recommended for routine treatments because of an increased risk of hemorrhage.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗