Subintimal recanalization for non-acute occlusion of intracranial vertebral artery in an emergency endovascular procedure:A case report

BACKGROUND Endovascular recanalization of non-acute intracranial artery occlusion is technically difficult,particularly when the microwire enters the subintima.Although the subintimal tracking and re-entry technique has been well established in the endovascular treatment of coronary artery occlusion,there is limited experience with its use in intracranial occlusion due to anatomical variations and a lack of dedicated devices.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old man was admitted to the hospital two days after experiencing acute weakness in both lower extremities,poor speech,and dizziness.After admission,imaging revealed acute ischemic stroke and non-acute occlusion of bilateral intracranial vertebral arteries(ICVAs).On the fourth day of admission,the patient's condition deteriorated and an emergency endovascular recanalization of the left ICVA was performed.During this procedure,a microwire was advanced in the subintima of the vessel wall and successfully reentered the distal true lumen.Two stents were implanted in the subintima.The patient's Modified Rankin Scale was 1 at three months postoperatively.CONCLUSION We present a technical case of subintimal recanalization for non-acute ICVA occlusion in an emergency endovascular procedure.However,we emphasize the necessity for caution when applying the subintimal tracking approach in intracranial occlusion due to the significant dangers involved.

Randomized study comparing incidence of radial artery occlusion post-percutaneous coronary intervention between two conventional compression devices using a novel airinflation technique

AIM To compare post-percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) radial artery occlusion(RAO) incidence between two conventional radial artery compression devices using a novel air-inflation technique.METHODS One hundred consecutive patients post-PCI were randomized 1:1 to Safeguard or TR band compression devices. Post-radial sheath removal, each compression device was inflated with additional 2 m L of air above index bleeding point during air-filled device application and gradually down-titrated accordingly. RAO was defined as absence of Doppler flow signal performed at 24 h and at 6 wk post-PCI. Patients with missing data were excluded. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.RESULTS All patients had 6 F radial sheath inserted. No significant differences were observed between Safeguard Radial(n = 42) vs TR band(n = 42) in terms of age(63 ± 11 years vs 67 ± 11 years), clinical presentation(electives, n = 18 vs n = 16; acute coronary syndrome, n = 24 vs n = 26) and total procedural heparin(7778 ± 2704 IU vs 7825 ± 2450 IU). RAO incidence was not significantly different between groups at 24 h(2% vs 0%, P = 0.32) and 6 wk(0%, both).CONCLUSION Safeguard Radial and TR band did not demonstrate significant between-group differences in short-term RAO incidence. Lack of evidence of RAO in all postPCI patients at 6 wk follow-up, regardless of radial compression device indicate advantage of using the novel and pragmatic air-inflation technique. Further work is required to more accurately confirm these findings.

Efficacy of Different Types of Self-expandable Stents in Carotid Artery Stenting for Carotid Bifurcation Stenosis

Both open and closed loop self-expandable stents were used in carotid artery stenting（CAS） for carotid bifurcation stenosis. We sought to compare the efficacy of two types of stents in CAS. The data of 212 patients treated with CAS（42 and 170 cases implanted with closed and open loop stents, respectively） for carotid bifurcation stenosis and distal filtration protection devices were retrospectively analyzed. Between closed and open loop stents, there were no significant differences in hospitalization duration, NIHSS score before and after the treatment, stenosis at 12 th month, and cumulative incidence of primary endpoint events within 30 days or from the 31 st day to the 12 th month; while there were significant differences in hemodynamic changes and rate of difficulty in recycling distal filtration protection devices. Use of open vs. closed loop stents for carotid bifurcation stenosis seems to be associated with similar incidence of complications, except for greater rate of hemodynamic changes and lower rate of difficulty in recycling the distal filtration protection devices.

Meta-analysis on clinical efficacy of Simiao Yong'an decoction in treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases

Objective:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Simiao Yong'an Decoction in the treatment of peripheral occlusive disease(PAOD).Methods:Eight randomized controlled clinical trials(RCT)of Simiao Yong'an Decoction in the treatment of PAOD were searched and screened from domestic and foreign databases(all from database construction to March 2020).The quality of the retrieved original studies was evaluated according to the evaluation criteria of Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0,and the included studies were meta-analyzed by RevMan5.3 software.Results:A total of 350 articles were retrieved,among which 14 studies met the inclusion criteria,with a total sample size of 1254 cases.The results of meta-analysis showed that:compared with conventional western Med,combined with Simiao Yong'an Decoction on the basis of western Med treatment can significantly improve the total clinical response rate of patients[RR=1.20,95%CI(1.14,1.27),P<0.00001],improve ankle brachial index(ABI)level[MD=0.79,95%CI(0.66,0.92),P<0.00001]and toe brachial index(TBI)level[RR=0.13,95%CI(0.10,0.16),P<0.00001],decreased c-reactive protein levels[MD=-8.55,95%CI(-8.99,-8.11),P<0.00001]and LDL levels[MD=-0.41,95%CI(-0.62,-0.19),P=0.0002],and increased HDL levels[MD=0.32(0.22,0.43),P<0.00001].There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions[RR=0.50,95%CI(1.15,1.64),P=0.25].Conclusion:Simiao Yong'an Decoction combined with conventional western Med is more effective than conventional western Med in the treatment of PAOD.However,in view of the limitations of the quality of the analyzed literature,the positive results obtained in this study still need to be further verified by a large sample and multi-center clinical trial with a reliable research program.

Penile revascularization--contemporary update

Contemporary therapies for erectile dysfunction are generally targeted towards older men and universally engage pharmacological and/ or device related treatment options. Penile revascularization, using microvascular arterial bypass surgical techniques, is a non-pharmacological, non-device-related, and reconstructive surgical strategy for men with erectile dysfunction that was first described by Dr Vaclav Michal in 1973.

Helicobacter pylori as a risk factor for central serous chorioretinopathy:Literature review

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), a Gram-negative bacterium, is one of the most frequent causes of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. It has been associated as a pathogen for the human body with many systemic diseases, including different eye diseases. We will focus on a specific eye disease called idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy(ICSCR). This disease is characterized by a serous detachment of the neurosensory retina in the macular region, which affects the vision to different degrees. Currently, the pathophysiology of ICSCR is not clear and there is no effective treatment. However, several potential risk factors have been elucidated. One of the factors that has more frequently been associated with ICSCR is stress. As H. pylori was identified as a possible etiological factor for occlusive arterial diseases in young people who were particularly stressed, it was thought that H. pylori might also be present in ICSCR. Therefore, some physicians started to test its presence in patents with ICSCR. If H. pylori happened to be associated with ICSCR, the treatment of gastrointestinal infection could also improve visual symptoms and help to remediate this eye disease. Although H. pylori is highly prevalent in the general population, a true cor-relation seems to exist. We present a review on the relationship between ICSCR and H. pylori.

Acute lower extremity arterial thrombosis after intraocular foreign body removal under general anesthesia: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Surgery,which is a major risk factor for venous thrombosis,has rarely been considered a risk factor for arterial thrombosis.Recent studies have suggested that venous and arterial thromboses share common risk factors and have a bidirectional relationship.Accordingly,there is a growing interest in the risk of arterial thrombosis after surgery.We report a case of acute bilateral lower extremity arterial thromboses that developed after a prolonged surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old man was hospitalized for intraocular foreign body removal surgery.He was a heavy-drinking smoker and had untreated hypertension and varicose veins in both legs.The operation was unexpectedly prolonged,lasting 4 h and 45 min.Immediately after emergence from general anesthesia,the patient complained of extreme pain in both legs.After the surgical drape was removed,cyanosis was evident in both feet of the patient.The pulse was not palpable,and continuous-wave Doppler signals were inaudible in the bilateral dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries.Computed tomography angiography confirmed acute bilateral thrombotic occlusion of the popliteal arteries,proximal anterior tibial arteries,and tibioperoneal trunks.Arterial pulse returned in both lower limbs after 6 h of heparin initiation.The patient was discharged on postoperative day 26 without any sequelae.CONCLUSION Acute lower extremity arterial thrombosis can occur after surgery.Anesthesiologists should pay particular attention to patients with risk factors for thrombosis.

Transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells for peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremity

Objectives To assess the clinical efficacy,safety,and feasibility of autologous transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMNCs)for patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease(PAOD)of the lower extremity.Methods A total of 152 patients with PAOD of the lower extremity were enrolled into this non-controlled observational study from November 2003 to March 2006.All patients received subcutaneous injections of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF,450-600μg/day)for 5 days in order to mobilize stem/progenitor cells;their PBMNCs were collected and transplanted by multiple intramuscular injections into ischemic limbs.Patients were followed up for at least 12 weeks.Results At 12 weeks,primary manifestations,including lower limb pain and coldness,were significantly improved in 137(90.1%)of the patients;limb ulcers improved or healed in 46(86.8%)of the 53 patients,while 25 of the 48(47.9%)patients with limb gangrene remained steady or improved.Ankle-brachial index(ABI)improved in 33(22%)of the cases,and TcPO_(2) increased in 45(30%)of the cases.Angiography before treatment,and at 12 weeks after treatment,was performed in 10 of the patients and showed formation of new collateral vessels.No severe adverse effects or complications specifically related to cell transplantation were observed.Conclusion Autologous transplantation of G-CSF-mobilized PBMNCs might be a safe and effective treatment for lower limb ischemic disorder.

Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease As a Rare Complication of Crohn’s Disease

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods Clinical information of 9 cases suffering from lower extremity arterial occlusion and CD was investigated retrospectively. Results All the cases were less than 50 years old and the most were females (8/9). Arterial occlusions occurred in either active (5/9) or inactive (4/9) stage of CD. Besides the arteries of lower extremities, other arteries could also be involved such as aorta, iliac artery, renal artery or mesentery artery. Seven cases had atherosclerotic imaging findings (4 had aortic plaques and 6 had iliac artery stenoses). Embolectomy or thromboendarterectomy were mostly performed. Four (44.4%) cases had recurrent lower limb ischemia. Conclusions Arterial occlusive disease is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of CD. A thorough inspection of aorta is necessary. Embolectomy is mostly preferred. Anticoagulation treatment is highly recommended after the operation.

Long-term results of endovascular therapy for proximal subclavian arterial obstructive lesions

Background Endovascular therapy is a treatment option for localized occlusion of the subclavian artery. In this report the long-term experience with 59 patients is presented. Methods Between June 1998 and September 2008, we used endovascular therapy to treat 61 subclavian arterial obstructive lesions in 59 patients （46 males and 13 females, 34-82 years of age with a mean age （61.9~11.0） years）. Twenty patients （34%） had clinical symptoms due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency, 26 （44%） had disabling arm ischemia, and 13 （22%） had both symptoms. We performed all procedures under local anesthesia. The approaches were from the femoral artery （n=47）, brachial artery （n=-1, involving bilateral subclavian disease） or both （n=11）. Sixty stents were implanted. All patients were followed-up at 1,3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure, and annually thereafter. Results We achieved technical success in 58 （95.1%） arteries, all of which were stented. There were three technical failures; two were due to the inability to cross over an occlusion, necessitating the switch to an axillo-axillary bypass, and the third was due to shock after digital subtraction angiography and prior to stenting. Arterial stenosis pre- and post-stenting was （83.6±10.8）% and （2.5±12.5）% （P 〈0.01）. Clinical success was achieved in 55 of the 59 patients （93.4%）. Of the four clinical failures, three were technical and the remaining patient had a stent thrombosis. Systolic blood pressure difference between the two brachial arteries was （44.7±18.5） vs. （2.2±3.9） mmHg （P 〈0.01）. Primary patency was 98% at 12 months, 93% at 24 months, and 82% at 5 years. Five patients were lost to follow-up by 12 months post-stenting. Significant recurrent obstruction developed in five patients with resumption of clinical symptoms. The overall survival rate was 98.2% at 12 months, 89.5% at 24 months, and 84.5% at 5 years. Conclusions Endovascular therapy for proximal subclavian arterial obstructive lesions is effective and successful. This minimally invasive treatment may be the first choice of treatment for proximal subclavical arterial obstructive lesions.

Evidence of apoptotic smooth muscle cells in proliferative intima of injured arteries

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence and extent of apoptosis in the course of restenosis. METHODS: The experimental models of vessel narrowness and intima thickness were established in minipigs' iliac arteries by balloon injury and specimens were retrieved on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th and 30th days for dynamic observation. Apoptotic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Apoptotic SMCs occurred only in the thickened intima 12 days after injury accompanied with the proliferative SMCs, the percentage of apoptosis was 1.94% +/- 0.42% on the 12th day and 1.36% +/- 0.31% on the 30th day respectively. The low frequency of apoptosis compared with the proliferative SMCs was a feature in the restenotic pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis participates in the pathogenetic process of intimal thickening and its level was low compared with proliferation. The findings suggest that attempts to modulate apoptosis after vessel injury constitute a theoretical approach to the prevention of restenosis.