Percutaneous transcatheter super-selective renal arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for iatrogenic renal hemorrhage

Background:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transcatheter super-selective renal arterial embolization(SRAE)with N-butyl cyanoacrylate(NBCA)for iatrogenic renal hemorrhage.Methods:Between January 2014 and December 2019,45 patients(including 18 patients with coagulopathy),who underwent percutaneous transcatheter SRAE with NBCA for iatrogenic renal hemorrhage at our institution,were retrospectively reviewed.The technical success rate,clinical success rate,and embolization-related complications were analyzed.The values of estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),serum creatinine(sCr),and serum urea(sUr)were analyzed at the time of pre-SRAE,post-SRAE,and last follow-up to evaluate the effects of NBCA-based SRAE on renal function.Results:Diagnostic renal arteriography revealed contrast extravasation in 18 patients and pseudoaneurysms in 27 patients.NBCA mixed with iodized oil in a 1:2–1:4 ratio was the sole embolic agent.No procedure-related mortality or major complications occurred.The technical and clinical success rates were both 100%.The values of eGFR,sCr and sUr were not found to be significantly different between pre-SRAE,post-SRAE and last follow-up(eGFR:91.52±21.17 vs.90.98±22.11 vs.92.14±23.51 mL/min/1.73 m^(2),p=0.729;sCr:74.73±11.08 vs.75.27±12.43 vs.73.95±10.14μmol/L,p=0.543;sUr:5.69±0.84 vs.5.71±0.96 vs.5.70±0.79,p=0.515,respectively).Conclusions:Percutaneous transcatheter SRAE with NBCA is a safe and effective treatment modality for iatrogenic renal hemorrhage with no deterioration of renal function.

Radiofrequency ablation in a porcine liver model:Effects of transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time,maximum output,and coagulation diameter as well as angiographic characteristics

AIM:To evaluate the effects of combined radiofrequen-cy ablation and transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time,maximum output,coagula-tion diameter,and portal angiography in a porcine liver model. METHODS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was applied to in vivo livers of 10 normal pigs using a 17-gauge 3.0 cm expandable LeVeen RF needle electrode with or with-out transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with iodized oil (n = 5). In each animal,2 areas in the liver were ab-lated. Direct portography was performed before and af-ter RFA. Ablation was initiated at an output of 30 W,and continued with an increase of 10 W per minute until roll-off occurred. Ablation time and maximum output until roll-off,and coagulated tissue diameter were compared between the 2 groups. Angiographic changes on portog-raphy before and after ablation were also reviewed. RESULTS: For groups with and without TAE with iodized oil,the ablation times until roll-off were 320.6 ± 30.9 seconds and 445.1 ± 35.9 seconds,respectively,maxi-mum outputs were 69.0 ± 7.38 W and 87.0 ± 4.83 W and maximal diameters of coagulation were 41.7 ± 3.85 mm and 33.2 ± 2.28 mm. Significant reductions of abla-tion time and maximum output,and significantly larger coagulation diameter were obtained with RFA following TAE with iodized oil compared to RFA alone. Portography after RFA following TAE with iodized oil revealed more occlusion of the larger portal branches than with RFA alone. CONCLUSION: RFA following TAE with iodized oil can increase the volume of coagulation necrosis with lower output and shorter ablation time than RFA alone in nor-mal pig liver tissue.

Angiographic embolization in the treatment of intrahepatic arterial bleeding in patients with blunt abdominal trauma

BACKGROUND: Angiographic embolization (AE) as an adjunct non-operative treatment of intrahepatic arterial bleeding has been widely used. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selective AE in patients with hepatic trauma.METHODS: Seventy patients with intrahepatic arterial bleeding after blunt abdominal trauma who had undergone selective AE in 10 years at this institution were retrospectively reviewed.The criteria for selective AE included active extravasation on contrast-enhanced CT, an episode of hypotension or a decrease in hemoglobin level during the non-operative treatment. The data of the patients included demographics,grade of liver injuries, mechanism of blunt abdominal trauma,associated intra-abdominal injuries, indications for AE,angiographic findings, type of AE, and AE-related hepatobiliary complications. RESULTS: In the 70 patients, 32 (45.71%) had high-grade liver injuries. Extravazation during the early arterial phase mainly involved the right hepatic segments. Thirteen (18.57%) patients underwent embolization of intrahepatic branches and the extrahepatic trunk and these patients all developed AE-related hepatobiliary complications. In 19 patients with AE-related complications, 14 received minimally invasive treatment and recovered without severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: AE is an adjunct treatment for liver injuries.Selective and/or super-selective AE should be advocated to decrease the incidence and severity of AE-related hepatobiliary complications.

ASSESSING THE RESECTABILITY OF PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA:COMPARISION OF DUAL- PHASE HELICAL CT ARTERIAL PORTOGRAPHY WITH CONVENTIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY

To evaluate the respective value of dual- phase helical CT arterial portography (CTAP) and conventional angiography in preoperative predicting resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Subjects and methods. Tumor resectability was prospectively evaluated in 54 patients with pathologically proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who later underwent surgery. Both dual- phase helical CT scanning and selective angiography were obtained in each patient preoperatively. For optimal enhancement of pancreas and major peripancreatic vessels, two catheters connected to an automatic injector via a Y- shaped tube were placed after selective angiography,one in celiac trunk, the other in superior mesenteric artery. Then the patient underwent dual- phase helical CTAP of pancreas and liver. The criteria of irresectability for CTAP include: tumor diameter≥ 5 cm,extrapancreatic invasion, distant metastases and vascular involvement(occlusion, stenosis or semicircular encasement of superior mesenteric artery, hepatic artery, splenic artery, celiac axis; portal vein, superior mesenteric vein or splenic vein). The results of both modalities were correlated with findings from surgery or pathology. Results. Thirty- eight of 54 patients had nonresectable disease. In prediction the irresectability, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy were 94.7％ ,100％ ,100％ ,88.9％ ,96.3％ respectively for helical CTAP and 63.2％ ,93.8％ ,96.0％ ,51.7％ ,72.2％ respectively for selective angiography. In assessing vascular involvements, dual- phase helical CTAP was also superior to selective angiography. Conclusion. Dual- phase helical CTAP is superior to angiography in assessing resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The combination of the two modalities may further improve overall accuracy of assessment.

High Prevalence of Anatomical Variations and Anomalies of the Coronary Arteries Detected by CT Angiography in Symptomatic Patients

Objective:Coronary artery anatomical variations and anomalies are an important topic due to their potential clinical manifestations.This study aims to investigate the prevalence of coronary artery anatomical variations and anomalies in symptomatic patients with coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA).Methods:This is a retrospective study that included all symptomatic patients who had CCTA in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia during a period of seven years.Results:The total number of included patients was 507(60%males)with a mean age of 57.4 years.Approximately 41%had luminal stenoses,averaging 49.7%.The total num-ber of patients with coronary anatomical variations(CAV)and coronary artery anomalies(CAA)was 217(43%).CAV prevalence was 26%,which included 14%non-right coronary dominance,5%short left main coronary artery(LMCA),and 7%division variations(trifurcation and quadrifurcarion)of the LMCA.The prevalence of CAA was 29%,which included 5%origin anomalies,22%myocardial bridge,and 2%course anomalies.Conclusions:A high prevalence of coronary artery anatomic variations and anomalies in symptomatic patients is reported in this study.Systematic reviews,meta-analyses,reporting guidelines,and unified definitions and classifications of cor-onary variations and anomalies are lacking in the literature,presenting potential opportunities for future research and publications.

Left inferior phrenic arterial malformation mimicking gastric varices: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Gastric submucosal arterial dilation resulting from splenic artery occlusion represents an exceedingly rare etiology of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB).Although endoscopy is a widely utilized diagnostic and therapeutic modality for gastrointestinal bleeding,it has limitations in detecting arterial abnormalities.CASE SUMMARY This report presents a rare case of massive UGIB in a 57-year-old male with a tortuous left inferior phrenic artery accompanied by splenic artery occlusion.“Gastric varices”was identified during the patient's endoscopy one year before hemorrhage.Despite initial hemostasis by endoscopic clipping,the patient experienced massive rebleeding after one month,requiring intervention with transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)to achieve hemostasis.CONCLUSION This is the first case to report UGIB due to a tortuous left inferior phrenic artery.This case highlights the limitations of endoscopy in identifying arterial abnormalities and emphasizes the potential of TAE as a viable alternative for the management of arterial bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Extravasated contrast volumetric assessment on computed tomography angiography in gastrointestinal bleeding:A useful predictor of positive angiographic findings

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal bleeding(GIB)is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition,especially in cases of delayed treatment.Computed tomography angiography(CTA)plays a pivotal role in the early identification of upper and lower GIB and in the prompt treatment of the haemorrhage.AIM To determine whether a volumetric estimation of the extravasated contrast at CTA in GIB may be a predictor of subsequent positive angiographic findings.METHODS In this retrospective single-centre study,35 patients(22 men;median age 69 years;range 16-92 years)admitted to our institution for active GIB detected at CTA and further submitted to catheter angiography between January 2018 and February 2022 were enrolled.Twenty-three(65.7%)patients underwent endoscopy before CTA.Bleeding volumetry was evaluated in both arterial and venous phases via a semi-automated dedicated software.Bleeding rate was obtained from volume change between the two phases and standardised for unit time.Patients were divided into two groups,according to the angiographic signs and their concordance with CTA.RESULTS Upper bleeding accounted for 42.9%and lower GIB for 57.1%.Mean haemoglobin value at the admission was 7.7 g/dL.A concordance between positive CTA and direct angiographic bleeding signs was found in 19(54.3%)cases.Despite no significant differences in terms of bleeding volume in the arterial phase(0.55 mL vs 0.33 mL,P=0.35),a statistically significant volume increase in the venous phase was identified in the group of patients with positive angiography(2.06 mL vs 0.9 mL,P=0.02).In the latter patient group,a significant increase in bleeding rate was also detected(2.18 mL/min vs 0.19 mL/min,P=0.02).CONCLUSION In GIB of any origin,extravasated contrast volumetric analysis at CTA could be a predictor of positive angiography and may help in avoiding further unnecessary procedures.

Carbon dioxide-angiography for patients with peripheral arterial disease at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy

Patients with peripheral arterial disease(PAD)and critical limb ischemia are at risk for limb amputation and require urgent management to restore blood flow.Patients with PAD often have several comorbidities,including chronic kidney disease,diabetes mellitus,and hypertension.Diagnostic and interventional angiography using iodinated contrast agents provides excellent image resolution but can be associated with contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN).The use of carbon dioxide(CO2)as a contrast agent reduces the volume of iodine contrast required for angiography and reduces the incidence of CIN.However,CO2 angiography has been underutilized due to concerns regarding safety and image quality.Modern CO2 delivery systems with advanced digital subtraction angiography techniques and hybrid angiography have improved imaging accuracy and reduced the incidence of CIN.Awareness of the need for optimal imaging conditions,contraindications,and potential complications have improved the safety of CO2 angiography.This review aims to highlight current technological advances in the delivery of CO2 in vascular angiography for patients with PAD and critical limb ischemia,which result in limb preservation while preventing kidney damage.

An evaluation of the arterial occlusions in peripheral arterial disease by 64-detector multi-slice CT angiography: DSA correlation

Objective: Evaluation of peripheral arterial disease with 64-detector multi-slice CT angiography (MDCT- A) and comparison of the results with the results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a standard reference. Materials and Method: The written informed consent of the patients and ethics committee approval were obtained. The retrospective study group consisted of 28 patients with a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. Using 64-MDCT-A, the arterial tree of the lower extremity was evaluated for the presence of steno-occlusive lesions that might have led to luminal stenosis. The diagnostic reliability of 64-MDCT- A was calculated and compared with that of DSA. Findings: In the segment-based analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability rates of 64-MDCT angiography in determining significant stenoses were 97.7%, 97%, and 97.3%, respectively. The Kappa co-efficiency for compatibility between 64-MDCT-A and DSA methods in grading stenosis was calculated as 0.896

Arterial Supply of Atrioventricular Node and Bundle in Relation to Degree of Stenosis of Coronary Artery among Sudanese Population (Coronary Angiography Study)

The coronary arteries diseases are one of the most causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. Coronary obstructions are generally described by location and severity of stenosis. Manual tracing and measurement of the stenosis vessel in comparison to reference location of stenosis can be helpful to classify whether a lesion is significant or not. The aim of this study is to identify the dominant type of circulation carried out in patients presented in heart institute and associated with degree of stenosis in RCA and LAD artery. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out on patients reporting to Heart Institute from June 2013 to August 2013 (311 patients records as a total coverage were collected as sample) whose coronary artery angiography revealed pathology in coronary arteries. Result: The findings were 71.7% right dominant, 23.5% left dominant and 4.8% co-dominant;LAD tends to be stricture with right dominant circulation type. LAD artery tends to be stenosis at proximal and mid segment while in the RCA tends to be stenosis in mid and distal segments. The right dominant artery is popular type of circulation in Sudanese people reported in Sudan Heart Institute;there is no significance association between gender and arterial type of circulation and also degree stenosis in LAD degree of stenosis in RCA. I observed that the site of stenosis in LAD artery was proximal and mid (P value < 0.05 significance association). Conclusion: Patients present at the heart institute are right dominant mostly coming with proximal and middle LAD stenosis unlike RCA which commonly presents with distal and middle stenosis, so the middle segment of coronary artery is stenosis in both situations. There are wild variations in dominance artery in relation to reduction of diameter in deferent ethic group. There are no significant associations between the gender and dominant artery.

Usefulness of transcatheter arterial embolization for eighty-three patients with secondary postpartum hemorrhage:Focusing on difference in angiographic findings

BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)has been widely used as an effective and a safe treatment method and was often used as an alternative to the surgical management,but there are limited studies on the efficacy and the safety for patients undergoing their secondary postpartum hemorrhage(PPH).AIM To evaluate the usefulness of TAE for secondary PPH focusing on the angiographic findings.METHODS We conducted a research from January 2008 to July 2022 on all 83 patients(mean:32 years,range:24-43 years)presented with secondary PPH and they were treated with TAE in two university hospitals.The medical records and angiography were retrospective reviewed in order to evaluate the patients’characteristics,delivery details,clinical status and peri-embolization management,angiography and embolization details,technical/clinical success and complications.The group with active bleeding sign and the group without it were also compared and analyzed.RESULTS On angiography,46(55.4%)patients showed active bleeding signs such as contrast extravasation(n=37)or pseudoaneurysm(n=8)or both(n=1),and 37(44.6%)patients showed non-active bleeding signs such as only spastic uterine artery(n=2)or hyperemia(n=35).In the active bleeding sign group there were more multiparous patients,low platelet count,prothrombin time prolongation,and high transfusion requirements.The technical success rates were 97.8%(45/46)in active bleeding sign group and 91.9%(34/37)in non-active bleeding sign group,and the overall clinical success rates were 95.7%(44/46)and 97.3%(36/37).An uterine rupture with peritonitis and abscess formation occurred to one patient after the embolization,therefore hysterostomy and retained placenta removal were performed which was a major complication.CONCLUSION TAE is an effective and a safe treatment method for controlling secondary PPH regardless of angiographic findings.

3.0T MR Coronary Angiography after Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of The Great Arteries-Gd-FLASH Versus Non-Enhanced SSFP.A Feasibility Study

Background:Patency of the coronary arteries is an issue after reports of sudden cardiac death in patients with transposition of the great arteries(TGA)operated with arterial switch(ASO).Recent studies give rise to concern regarding the use of ionising radiation in congenital heart disease,and assessment of the coronary arteries with coronary MR angiography(CMRA)might be an attractive non-invasive,non-ionising imaging alternative in these patients.Theoretically,the use of 3.0T CMRA should improve the visualisation of the coronary arteries.The objective of this study was to assess feasibility of 3.0T CMRA at the coronary artery origins by comparing image quality with non-contrast CMRA in ASO TGA patients to healthy age-matched controls,and by comparing image quality with non-contrast CMRA to contrast enhanced CMRA in the patient group.Material and methods:Twelve patients,9-15 years(mean 11.9 years,standard deviation 1.5 years),and 12 age-matched controls(mean 12.7 years,standard deviation 1.7 years)were examined with 3D balanced steady-state free precession(SSFP).Nine of twelve patients had Gadolinium-enhanced fast low-angle shot(Gd-FLASH)performed after SSFP.Image quality at the coronary artery origins was evaluated subjectively with a 10 cm figurative visual analogue scale(fVAS)and objectively by signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratio(SNR,CNR).Results:All,but one,coronary artery origins were identified.No significant difference in image quality scores was found between patients and controls with SSFP(mean values 6.5 cm—9.1 cm in patients and 7.0 cm—8.0 cm in controls,p-values>0.1).With SSFP,intra-observer fVAS mean score was 6.7 cm—8.6 cm and with Gd-FLASH 7.7 cm—8.7 cm.CNR was higher with Gd-FLASH(p<0.03).Intra-observer agreement index(AI)with SSFP was moderate-to-good(0.43–0.71)and with Gd-FLASH good(0.64–0.79)in all origins.Inter-observer AI was good in the left main stem(LMS)with SSFP(0.65).With Gd-FLASH inter-observer AI was good in LMS(0.78)and moderate(0.5)in the left anterior descending artery,but lacking in the other origins though with a good agreement on Bland-Altman plots.Conclusions:Our findings indicate a better,more reproducible image quality with Gd-FLASH than with non-contrast SSFP CMRA on 3.0T for evaluation of the coronary artery origins in ASO TGA children and adolescents.

Peripheral arterial filling time and peripheral retina fluorescence features in ultra-widefield angiography

AIM:To evaluate the peripheral arterial filling time(PAFT)and venous filling time(VFT)in eyes without known diseases that may influence filling process using ultra-widefield(UWF)fluorescein angiography(FA),and to review the peripheral retina fluorescence features.METHODS:A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients were retrospectively reviewed in this observational study.UWFFA was performed using Optos 200Tx.PAFT and VFT was recorded.The interval between the arterial or venous filling completion and the previous photo was documented.The appearance of the far peripheral retina was described as either granular background fluorescence or mottled fluorescent band or vascular leakage.Terminal vascular patterns was described as loop pattern or branching pattern.Microvascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous shunting,vessels crossing the horizontal raphe,right angle vessels,terminal networks,capillary nonperfusion,drusen or microaneurysms were evaluated.RESULTS:The normal limits of PAFT was 3.397-8.984s and 4.399-11.753s for VFT.The appearance of the far peripheral retina,defined as granular background(63%),mottled fluorescence(20%),or vascular leakage(17%),was symmetrical between both eyes.Capillary nonperfusion(23%)and microaneurysms(40%)were more frequently found in eyes with loop pattern than in eyes with branching pattern.Other peripheral signs such as right-angle vessels(73%),and terminal networks(80%)were commonly seen on UWF-FA in the normal peripheral retina.CONCLUSION:The main courses of retinal artery and vein filling time are overlapping with each other on UWF-FA.Notably,the arterial filling process is completed in the arteriovenous phase rather than the traditionally named arterial phase.There are various manifestations in the peripheral retina of normal eyes.

Application of gemstone spectral imaging for efficacy evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization

AIM: To assess the value of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) in efficacy evaluation in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment.METHODS: Thirty patients with HCC underwent GSI, including nonenhanced, arterial, portalvenous and delayed phase scans, after TACE treatment. Arterial phase images were acquired with GSI for reconstruction of virtual nonenhanced images and color overlay images. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in all these patients. Two blinded and independent readers evaluated the data in two reading sessions; standard nonenhanced, arterial, portalvenous, and delayed phase images were read in session A, and the optimal monochromatic images, iodine/water based images and spectrum features were read in session B. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with the DSA data as the reference standard. The sensitivity and specificity were compared using the χ2 test.RESULTS: DSA revealed 154 lesions in 30 patients, and 100 of them had blood supply. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 72% (72/100) and 77.8% (42/54) for session A, and 97% (97/100) and 94.4% (51/54) for session B, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the two reading sessions were significantly different (χ2 = 23.04, χ2 = 7.11, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional CT, GSI could significantly improve the detection of small and multiple lesions without increasing the radiation dose. Based on spectrum features, GSI could assess tumor homogeneity and more accurately identify residual tumors and recurrent or metastatic lesions during efficacy evaluation and follow-up in HCC after TACE treatment.

Multidetector CT angiography with volumetric three-dimentional rendering to evaluate bronchial arteries in primary lung cancer

Objective：To evaluate the imageologic characteristics of the bronchial arteries （BAs） in primary lung cancer （PLC）with multidetector CT （MDCT）angiography. Methods： Thin-section enhanced CT scanning （with an Toshiba Aquilion 16 scanner） was performed in 164 PLC patients, of whom 123 were confirmed by pathology and the remaining 41 were confirmed by typical radiological and clinical findings. Another 46 patients with normal thoracic CT presentations were served as control. Three-dimensional （3D） images of the BAs were processed at workstation （Vitrea 2, Vital Corp, USA）. Spatial anatomical characters of the BAs were observed using volume rendering （VR） and multiplanar reconstruction （MPR） or maximum intensity projection （MIP）. Results： At least one bronchial artery was displayed clearly on VR in 152 （92.7%） of the 164 PLC patients and 32 （69.6%） of the 46 controls. There were 48. 92% of the right BAs originating from the descending aorta and 46. 24% from the right intercostal artery. 97.53% of the left BAs originated from the descending aorta, and 94.87% of the common trunk from the descending aorta. There were 10 distribution patterns of the BAs, with one on the right and one on the left predominating （48. 68%）. More BA branches were found to reach far from the segmental bronchi or enter into the lesions in the PLC group than those in the control group （25.8% vs 1.7% ）, and also the ipsilateral side of the PLC than the contralateral side （40% vs 8. 8%）. The diameter and the total transaxial areas of the BAs on the ipsilateral side of the PLC lesions were significantly larger than those on the contralateral side or those of the control group （P〈0. 05）. Conclusion：The anatomic characters and pathologic changes can be depicted in vivo stereographically and clearly by CTA with volumetric 3D rendering. Dilation of the BAs and increase of total blood flow in patients with PLC can be evaluated quantitatively, which may be useful in the diagnosis and assessment of PLC, and have the potential to increase the safety and effect of interventional therapy.

Coronary artery occlusion after arterial switch operation in an asymptomatic 15-year-old boy

A 15-year-old boy with transposition of the great arteries(TGA) and neonatal arterial switch operation(ASO) presented with complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery(LMCA). Intra-operatively, an intramural left coronary artery was identified. Therefore, since age 7 years he had a series of screening exercise stress tests. At 13 years old, he had 3 to 4 mm ST segment depression in the infero-lateral leads without symptoms. This progressed to 4.2 mm inferior ST segment depression at 15 years old with normal stress echocardiogram. Sestamibi myocardial perfusion scan and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was inconclusive. Therefore, a coronary angiogram was obtained which showed complete occlusion of the LMCA with ample collateralization from the right coronary artery system. This was later confirmed on a computed tomogram(CT) angiogram, obtained in preparation of coronary artery bypass grafting. The case illustrates the difficulty of detecting coronary artery stenosis and occlusion in young patients with rich collateralization. Coronary CT angiogram and conventional angiography were the best imaging modalities to detect coronary anomalies in this adolescent with surgically corrected TGA. Screening CT angiography may be warranted for TGA patients, particularly for those with known coronary anomalies.

The Role of Color Doppler Ultrasound Arterial Mapping for Decision Making in the Treatment of Patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of color Doppler imaging for decision making in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Materials and Methods: Color Doppler scan was done on patients suspected for lower limb PAD, a day prior to the DSA which was done by a vascular surgeon. Also, for the patients who were candidates for endovascular intervention based on the color Doppler arterial mapping results, endovascular interventions were performed at the same time if the DSA findings are correlated with the color Doppler map. The grading for evaluated segments was normal, insignificant stenosis (<50%), hemodynamically significant stenosis (≥50%) and occlusion. We yielded the diagnostic efficacy indices of Doppler for detecting arterial stenosis in each 18 different arterial segments below the renal arteries including, infrarenal aorta, common and external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral (proximal, middle and distal segments), deep femoral, popliteal artery, tibioperoneal trunk, anterior and posterior tibial arteries (proximal, middle and distal segments) and peroneal artery (proximal and distal segments). Then, we yielded the kappa agreement between Doppler and DSA findings considering the grade of stenosis in 18 arterial segments separately. Results: Totally 115 lower extremities (2045 arterial segments) were evaluated in 90 patients [mean age: 60.8 ± 8.9 (range: 47 - 84 years old)] of which 68 (75.6%) were men. The sensitivity of color Doppler for all arterial segments was 90% or higher except for common iliac artery, distal segment of superficial femoral artery and proximal segments of anterior and posterior tibialis and peroneal arteries. However, the specificity was 89% or higher, in all arterial segments. Kappa agreement was 0.72 or higher in all segments (All P-Values 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that considering excellent capability of color Doppler sonography in the evaluation of lower extremity arterial disease, color Doppler arterial mapping is sufficient for decision making in the treatment of these patients and can reduce the rate of diagnostic angiography.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis for early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND Early hepatic artery thrombosis(E-HAT)is a serious complication after liver transplantation(LT),which often results in graft failure and can lead to patient deaths.Treatments such as re-transplantation and re-anastomosis are conventional therapeutic methods which are restricted by the shortage of donors and the patient’s postoperative intolerance to re-laparotomy.Due to the advances in interventional techniques and thrombolytics,endovascular treatments are increasingly being selected by more and more centers.This study reviews and reports our single-center experience with intra-arterial thrombolysis as the first choice therapy for E-HAT after deceased donor LT.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and reasonability of intra-arterial thrombolysis for EHAT after deceased donor LT.METHODS A total of 147 patients who underwent deceased donor LT were retrospectively reviewed in our hospital between September 2011 and December 2016.Four patients were diagnosed with E-HAT.All of these patients underwent intraarterial thrombolysis with alteplase as the first choice therapy after LT.The method of arterial anastomosis and details of the diagnosis and treatment of EHAT were collated.The long-term prognosis of E-HAT patients was also recorded.The median follow-up period was 26 mo(range:23 to 30 mo).RESULTS The incidence of E-HAT was 2.7%(4/147).E-HAT was considered when Doppler ultrasonography showed no blood flow signals and a definite diagnosis was confirmed by immediate hepatic arterial angiography when complete occlusion of the hepatic artery was observed.The patients were given temporary thrombolytics(mainly alteplase)via a 5-Fr catheter which was placed in the proximal part of the thrombosed hepatic artery followed by continuous alteplase using an infusion pump.Alteplase dose was adjusted according to activated clotting time.The recanalization rate of intra-arterial thrombolysis in our study was 100%(4/4)and no thrombolysis-related mortality was observed.During the follow-up period,patient survival rate was 75%(3/4),and biliary complications were present in 50%of patients(2/4).CONCLUSION Intra-arterial thrombolysis can be considered first-line treatment for E-HAT after deceased donor LT.Early diagnosis of E-HAT is important and follow-up is necessary even if recanalization is successful.

More Peripheral Visualization of Hepatic Arteries by Using Respiratory-Triggered 3D True Steady-State Free-Precession Projection Magnetic Resonance Angiographic Sequences with Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse

Purpose: To evaluate respiratory-triggered three-dimensional (3D) true steady-state free-precession (SSFP) projection magnetic resonance angiographic sequences with time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) for visualizing the hepatic arteries and to optimize the image acquisition protocol. Materials and Methods: A 1.5-T clinical magnetic resonance imager was used to perform abdominal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 25 consecutive patients before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or surgery. We compared two selective space-labeling inversion pulse (tag pulse) patterns (Patterns I and II, oblique and parallel tag pulses, respectively). Two experienced radiologists evaluated the number of hepatic arterial branches visible on the acquired MRA images, and the results were referenced with those on images from intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography. Results: Images were acquired from all patients. The two radiologists clearly visualized branches of the left and right hepatic arteries. More peripheral hepatic arterial branches were identified in MRA images captured by using tag pulse Pattern I than in those acquired by using Pattern II (P P > 0.05). Conclusion: Non-contrast-enhanced Time-SLIP hepatic MRA with true SSFP allowed selective visualization of peripheral hepatic vessels.

Observation on 108 Normal Ophthalmic Arteries in 80 Patients by Digital Subtraction Angiography

By digital subtraction angiography(DSA), the authors made observations on 108 normal ophthalmic arteries in 80 patients with regard to the origins, courses, branching, morphology and anastomoses of the vessels. The merits and demerits of DSA in observing the ophthalmic artery were discussed. Eye Science 1994; 10: 157- 162.