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Stroke and Vascular Neurology Jun 2024Compared with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in adult, paediatric DAVFs are notable for distinct clinical manifestations, low cure rate and poor prognosis....
BACKGROUND
Compared with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in adult, paediatric DAVFs are notable for distinct clinical manifestations, low cure rate and poor prognosis. However, due to the limitations of small sample sizes, the long-term prognosis and follow-up data have not been described.
METHODS
Clinical data from 43 consecutive paediatric DAVFs were documented and analysed between 2002 and 2022 at the author's institution. They were divided into infantile (Lasjaunias classification) and non-infantile (adult type and dural sinus malformation (DSM)) type DAVFs based on prognosis differences.
RESULTS
Their mean age at first symptoms was 8.4±6.0 years. 29 boys and 14 girls presented between at birth and 18 years of age. 5 of 10 patients ≤1 year of age presented with asymptomatic cardiomegaly compared with 5/33 patients >1 year of age (p=0.022). 42 (88.4%) patients received endovascular treatment alone, while 9.3% underwent radiosurgery, burr hole embolisation or surgery. 28 (65.1%) patients experienced DAVF obliteration by the end of treatment. Among them, 26 cases underwent embolisation alone, one case had embolisation in conjunction with surgery, and one case underwent burr hole embolisation. The overall complication rate among patients was 9.3%, all resulting from endovascular treatment. According to the Lasjaunias Classification, there were 18 cases of adult type, 17 cases of infantile type and 8 cases of DSM. Compared with non-infantile-type DAVFs, infantile-type DAVFs showed more times of treatment, lower cure rate and worse prognosis (p<0.001, 0.003 and 0.021, respectively). The average follow-up duration was 41.4±36.2 months (3-228 months). 8 (22.9%) patients died.
CONCLUSIONS
Most adult-type DAVFs and DSMs can now be effectively treated with embolisation, resulting in good outcomes and prognosis. However, there are still challenges in treating infantile-type DAVFs, and the prognosis is frequently poor.
PubMed: 38839343
DOI: 10.1136/svn-2024-003122 -
Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery Jun 2024Despite recent multi-institutional efforts, long-term data on clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs)...
BACKGROUND
Despite recent multi-institutional efforts, long-term data on clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of hemorrhage and fistula-related mortality after treatment.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients primarily diagnosed with a high-grade dAVF (Cognard grade 2b, 2a+b, 3, 4) between January 2012 and September 2022 at a large neurovascular center. Primary endpoints were intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and all-cause mortality after treatment; secondary endpoints were angiographic occlusion, complication rate and neurological deficits.
RESULTS
A total of 121 patients underwent 141 treatments (122 endovascular therapy (EVT), 5 radiotherapy, 14 surgery) of which 12 patients (10%) underwent retreatment. Follow-up was available in all patients for a median of 4.2 (IQR 2.5 to 6.6) years. Eleven patients (9%) died during the follow-up period, of which three deaths (2%) occurred after hemorrhagic presentation, one of them attributable to treatment. One death (0.8%) was due to delayed hemorrhage after partial occlusion from EVT. No other post-treatment bleedings occurred. Angiographic follow-up after multimodality treatment was available in 93% of patients after a median of 6 months; the overall occlusion rate was 90%. The overall rate of complications was 25% after EVT and 14% after surgery. The rates of new transient and permanent neurological deficits after EVT were 9% and 3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The long-term rate of re-bleeding or dAVF-related mortality was low when high rates of angiographic occlusion were achieved. The risk for treatment-related complications leading to neurological sequela was low.
PubMed: 38839281
DOI: 10.1136/jnis-2024-021688 -
Journal of Nephrology Jun 2024Incremental hemodialysis (HD) is considered a valid alternative for patients with residual kidney function. Evidence concerning its effect on vascular access is scarce....
BACKGROUND
Incremental hemodialysis (HD) is considered a valid alternative for patients with residual kidney function. Evidence concerning its effect on vascular access is scarce. We present our 12-year experience of an incremental hemodialysis program with the aim of evaluating survival and complications of arteriovenous fistula in these patients compared to the thrice-weekly scheme.
METHODS
From January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2017, 220 incident patients started hemodialysis, 132 (60%) of whom began hemodialysis with two sessions per week and 88 (40%) with three sessions per week. Demographic and clinical variables were assessed at the start of treatment. Data regarding arteriovenous fistula survival and complications were collected.
RESULTS
Both groups had similar baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A total of 188 (85%) patients were dialyzed with an arteriovenous fistula during follow-up. Eighty-three patients had one or more fistula complications, with no differences between incremental and conventional groups (p = 0.55). Fistula survival rates showed no significant difference between the two groups, whether analyzed from the date of fistula creation (Log Rank p = 0.810) or from the date of initial fistula cannulation (Log Rank p = 0.695).
CONCLUSIONS
We found no differences in arteriovenous fistula survival or complication rate between patients who started HD with an incremental versus a conventional treatment scheme. Randomized controlled clinical trials may be warranted to achieve a higher degree of evidence.
PubMed: 38837005
DOI: 10.1007/s40620-024-01932-9 -
The Journal of Vascular Access Jun 2024To investigate the technical advantages of a modified no-touch technique (MNTT) in constructing arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) compared to the conventional technique (CT)...
BACKGROUND
To investigate the technical advantages of a modified no-touch technique (MNTT) in constructing arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) compared to the conventional technique (CT) and assess its potential to reduce neointimal hyperplasia in the outflow vein.
METHODS
Forty-seven New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control, CT, and MNTT. Rabbits in control group were observed using ultrasound and then euthanized to obtain external jugular vein (EJV) for Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E). We established common carotid artery (CCA)-EJV AVF using MNTT in the MNTT group and the CT in the CT group. AVF patency and complications were compared between the CT and MNTT groups. Rabbits with patent AVF in both groups were observed using ultrasound 2 weeks after surgery to evaluate changes in the vessel diameter and blood flow spectrum of the AVFs. H-E staining measured the intima thickness of EJV adjacent to the anastomosis and histologic characteristics of the AVF at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS
Five rabbits died after surgery with common symptoms of sneezing, coughing, runny nose, anorexia, and diarrhea; two in the MNTT group and three in the CT group. There were significant differences in the diameter ( = 0.010) and peak systolic velocities (PSV) ( = 0.001) of EJV between the CT and MNTT groups 2 weeks after surgery. Spiral laminar flow (SLF) was observed in CCA and EJV adjacent to anastomosis in the MNTT group. Additionally, histological observations showed less venous neointimal hyperplasia in the MNTT group than in the CT group 4 weeks after surgery.
CONCLUSION
The rabbit model of CCA-EJV AVF established using MNTT demonstrated fewer comlications, larger vein diameters, and reduced venous neointimal hyperplasia, indicating that this maybe an ideal animal model to further investigate the application of MNTT in AVF surgery.
PubMed: 38836593
DOI: 10.1177/11297298241256172 -
The Journal of Vascular Access Jun 2024The use of a drug-coated balloon (DCB) to treat dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has shown promising results. After percutaneous coronary intervention with DCB,...
The use of a drug-coated balloon (DCB) to treat dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has shown promising results. After percutaneous coronary intervention with DCB, late lumen enlargement (LLE) often develops in the early follow-up phase, but questions regarding the natural history of changes in lesions after DCB angioplasty have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we reported on a patient in whom angiography and angioscopy were performed immediately and 4 months after DCB angioplasty to treat cephalic vein stenosis of the dysfunctional AVF. Immediately after DCB application, angiography showed good dilatation and blood flow and mild vascular dissection that did not affect blood flow. Angioscopy showed that although the balloon had damaged the intima and the paclitaxel particles had adhered to the vessel wall. Four months after DCB treatment, follow-up angiography and angioscopy were performed. Angiography showed LLE in the cephalic vein of the AVF that had been treated by DCB angioplasty. Angioscopy showed that the intima of the vessel had almost completely healed, and the paclitaxel particles had disappeared. LLE might occur when DCB is used for AVF.
PubMed: 38836583
DOI: 10.1177/11297298241256683 -
The Journal of Vascular Access Jun 2024Vascular access, including arteriovenous fistula (AVF), is essential in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, the presence of AVF is non-physiological in...
BACKGROUND
Vascular access, including arteriovenous fistula (AVF), is essential in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, the presence of AVF is non-physiological in humans and could pose a burden to the systemic circulation or tissue microcirculation, potentially affecting tissue oxygenation, including in the brain. Recently, near-infrared spectroscopy has been used to measure regional oxygen saturation (rSO) as a marker of cerebral oxygenation in various settings, including in patients undergoing HD. Thus far, no studies have reported changes in cerebral rSO before and after AVF creation. This study aimed to monitor the differences in cerebral oxygenation before and after AVF creation and to clarify the clinical factors affecting the changes in cerebral rSO.
METHODS
Forty-eight patients (34 men, 14 women) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were not undergoing dialysis and newly created AVF were recruited. Cerebral rSO values before and after AVF creation were evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy (INVOS 5100c).
RESULTS
Cerebral rSO values were significantly changed from 60.3% ± 7.5% to 58.4% ± 6.8% before and after AVF creation in all patients ( < 0.001). Cerebral rSO were also lower in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in those without DM (57.5 ± 7.1 vs 63.7 ± 6.5, = 0.003) before surgery; however, no differences of changes in cerebral rSO were observed between the two groups after AVF creation. Additionally, multivariate regression analysis identified changes in HR (standardized coefficient: 0.436) as independent factors associated with changes in cerebral rSO.
CONCLUSION
Surgically created AVF was associated with the deterioration of cerebral rSO in patients with CKD not undergoing dialysis. Notably, AVF could cause cerebral hypoxia, and thus further studies are needed to clarify the clinical factors influencing changes in cerebral oxygenation after AVF creation.
PubMed: 38825801
DOI: 10.1177/11297298241257431 -
American Journal of Epidemiology May 2024Most of the 800,000 people living with end-stage kidney disease in the United States rely on a functioning vascular access to provide life-sustaining hemodialysis, yet...
Most of the 800,000 people living with end-stage kidney disease in the United States rely on a functioning vascular access to provide life-sustaining hemodialysis, yet one-third of arteriovenous fistulas experience early failures. Determining the safety and effectiveness of systemic heparin during fistula creation could improve the quality and quantity of life for these vulnerable patients. In this paper, a pragmatic randomized trial was emulated to assess the effect of systemic heparin administration (vs. none) during radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula creation on early bleeding and thrombosis using data from two international multicenter randomized trials performed between 2014 and 2019. Marginal risks were estimated using inverse probability weighted parametric survival analysis and confidence intervals were generated with bootstrapping. A total of 914 patients were enrolled and 61% received systemic heparin; median (IQR) age was 58 (49, 67) years and 45% were on hemodialysis at enrollment. No difference in the risk of bleeding events was observed, with a risk difference (95% CI) at 14 days of -0.1% (-1.6, 1.4). The risk of access thrombosis was lower in the heparin group, with a risk of 3.7% (2.6, 4.8) after heparin and 5.3% (3.4, 7.4) without heparin at 14 days (risk ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.50, 0.98).
PubMed: 38825327
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae098 -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia May 2024
PubMed: 38824096
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2023.07.015 -
Journal of the American College of... Jun 2024Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) occur in 30% to 50% of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Clinical presentations vary from asymptomatic...
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) occur in 30% to 50% of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Clinical presentations vary from asymptomatic disease to complications resulting from the right to left shunting of blood through the PAVM such as paradoxical stroke, brain abscesses, hypoxemia, and cardiac failure. Radiology plays an important role both in the diagnosis and treatment of PAVM. Based on different clinical scenarios, the appropriate imaging study has been reviewed and is presented in this document. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
Topics: Humans; Societies, Medical; United States; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Veins; Evidence-Based Medicine; Arteriovenous Malformations; Arteriovenous Fistula
PubMed: 38823949
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2024.02.028 -
Journal of Neurosurgery May 2024Craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-AVFs) are complex vascular shunts that present a challenge for treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the...
OBJECTIVE
Craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-AVFs) are complex vascular shunts that present a challenge for treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of microsurgery and endovascular embolization for CCJ-AVFs and to determine whether the treatment approach affected the obliteration rate and neurological improvement.
METHODS
The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 64 patients who had undergone microsurgery or endovascular embolization for CCJ-AVF at one of two neurosurgical centers from January 2014 to February 2022. Additionally, a pooled analysis of 68 patients from 38 studies was performed. Baseline characteristics, angioarchitectural features, and clinical outcomes were compared between two treatment groups. A subgroup analysis of CCJ-AVFs with carotid artery (CA) feeders was also performed.
RESULTS
In the multicenter cohort, the complete obliteration rate was 95.1% with microsurgery, 81.8% with embolization via the CA, and 50.0% with embolization via the vertebral artery (VA). After adjusting for baseline and confounding features, the occlusion rate was significantly lower in the VA embolization group (adjusted OR 41.06, 95% CI 2.37-711.9, p = 0.01). No new-onset infarctions occurred in the microsurgical group, whereas 1 patient each in the CA and VA embolization groups experienced posttreatment infarction. Microsurgery demonstrated a neurological improvement rate similar to that in the CA embolization group (65.9% vs 63.6%, respectively). In the subgroup analysis of CCJ-AVF with CA feeders in the multicenter cohort, the occlusion rate and neurological improvement in the CA embolization group were comparable to those in the microsurgery group. The subgroup analysis in the pooled analysis revealed complete obliteration rates of 100.0% in the microsurgical group, 88.9% in the CA embolization group, and 66.7% in the VA embolization group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study supports microsurgery as the best treatment modality for CCJ-AVFs, exhibiting the highest rates of complete obliteration. Conversely, embolization via the VA can result in a lower occlusion rate and less neurological improvement. In CCJ-AVFs with CA feeders, embolization via the CA can be a safe and effective alternative to microsurgery.
PubMed: 38820614
DOI: 10.3171/2024.2.JNS232866