Duration of response after DEB-TACE compared to lipiodol-TACE in HCC-naïve patients: a propensity score matching analysis.

Objectives: To retrospectively compare long-term outcomes of first-line drug-eluting particle (DEB)- transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and lipiodol-TACE, in patients with unresectable hepatocellular (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database to identify adult patients with treatment-naïve unresectable HCC, who underwent TACE from 2006 to 2013. Patients were excluded in the absence of complete medical records relative to first TACE, 1-month follow-up, and/or sufficient follow-up data.

Effect of Direct Endovascular Revascularization Based on the Angiosome Model on Risk of Major Amputations and Life Expectancy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia and Foot Ulceration.

Background: We evaluated whether direct or indirect endovascular revascularization based on the angiosome model affects outcomes in type 2 diabetes and critical limb ischemia.

Methods: From 2010 to 2015, 603 patients with type 2 diabetes were admitted for critical limb ischemia and submitted to endovascular revascularization. Among these patients, 314 (52%) underwent direct and 123 (20%) indirect revascularization, depending on whether the flow to the artery directly feeding the site of ulceration, according to the angiosome model, was successfully acquired; 166 patients (28%) were judged unable to be revascularized.

Ultrasound in the Modern Management of the Diabetic Foot Syndrome: A Multipurpose Versatile Toolkit.

Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive and versatile technology that in recent years found acceptance in almost all the medical specialties, with diagnostic and interventional applications. In the diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), US found specific indications mainly in the screening, quantification, and follow-up of the vascular component of the pathology, but also in the study of the deformities and structural modifications induced by neuropathy and in the diagnosis and surgical management of infections, especially those that induce anatomical changes, like abscesses and fasciitis. This review will summarize all these application of US, giving special attention to the vascular aspects, and on the predominant role that US gained in recent times to guide the indication to revascularization, on the new standardized approach to the study of the arterial tree of the limb and the foot, the so-called duplex ultrasound arterial mapping, which significantly increased the utilization of US to plan the revascularizations in this complex pathology.

Predictive value of angiographic scores for the integrated management of the ischemic diabetic foot.

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the agreement between the angiographic scores and the clinical outcomes after endoluminal revascularization in diabetic patients with Fontaine stage IV critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Methods: Clinical and procedural data were retrospectively collected of consecutive diabetic patients with Fontaine stage IV CLI who underwent percutaneous lower limb endoluminal revascularization from January 2009 to June 2011. Pre- and postprocedural angiographic images were retrospectively reviewed to classify lower limb arterial involvement according to four systems: (1) TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus [TASC] I; (2) TASC II; (3) Graziani's morphologic classification; and (4) Joint Vascular Society Council calf and foot scores.

Image fusion of preprocedural CTA with real-time fluoroscopy to guide proper hepatic artery catheterization during transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma: a feasibility study.

Purpose: To assess feasibility of proper hepatic artery catheterization using a 3D model obtained from preprocedural computed tomographic angiography (CTA), fused with real-time fluoroscopy, during transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: Twenty consecutive cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization were prospectively enrolled onto the study. The early arterial phase axial images of the preprocedural CTA were postprocessed on an independent workstation connected to the angiographic system (Innova 4100; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI), obtaining a 3D volume rendering image (VR) that included abdominal aorta, splanchnic arteries, and first and second lumbar vertebrae.

Efficacy and safety of a novel vascular closure device (Glubran 2 seal) after diagnostic and interventional angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of a novel vascular closure device (Glubran 2 Seal) after peripheral angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

Methods: From December 2010 to June 2011, all consecutive patients with PAOD undergoing peripheral angiography were prospectively enrolled onto the study after percutaneous antegrade or retrograde puncture of the common femoral artery. After angiography, the Glubran 2 Seal device was used to achieve hemostasis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for hepatitis C virus-related portal hypertension after liver transplantation.

This is a single center retrospective review of 19 consecutive liver transplant (LT) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related graft recurrent hepatitis who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) at a median interval of 21 months (range: 5-50) from LT. Indications were refractory ascites in 11 patients (57.9%), hydrothorax in six (31.

Transarterial chemoembolization in very early and early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients excluded from curative treatment: a prospective cohort study.

Aim: To assess clinical outcome of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in a series of patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), within Milan criteria, but clinically unfit for liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: From January 2006 to May 2009, 67 patients (43 males, mean age 70 ± 7.6 years) with very early or early-stage unresectable HCC, within Milan selection criteria but clinically unfit for OLT, underwent TACE.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: CT for tumor response after transarterial chemoembolization in patients exceeding Milan criteria--selection parameter for liver transplantation.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who exceeded the Milan criteria, who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), to determine the value of computed tomography (CT)-based tumor response to TACE as a preoperative selection criterion for OLT.

Materials And Methods: The study included 33 patients with HCC who exceeded the Milan criteria and underwent OLT after TACE. Informed written consent was obtained before TACE and OLT.

Ultrasonographic surveillance with selective CTA after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Purpose: To evaluate the agreement between color-coded duplex ultrasound (US) and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in monitoring aneurysm diameter and detecting endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: From November 1998 to January 2007, 196 patients (191 men; mean age 72.4 years, range 52-88) underwent EVAR and were followed by CTA and US over a mean 3.

Primary infrainguinal subintimal angioplasty in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate technical and clinical results of infrainguinal subintimal angioplasty in a series of diabetic patients with limb-threatening ischemia. From July 2003 to December 2007, 60 consecutive diabetic patients (M/F = 41/19; mean age, 69.4 +/- 9.