Effect of puncture position on catheter patency rate during tunnelled dialysis catheter insertion from the right internal jugular vein.

Background: No recommendations have been made regarding the puncture position during tunnelled dialysis catheter (TDC) insertion from right internal jugular vein (RIJV). We investigated the effect of puncture positioning along with other characteristics and clinical factors associated with TDCs to determine their correlation with catheter patency rate.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed TDC insertion procedures performed between January 2018 and December 2020 at a single institution.

Systemic vascular resistance predicts high-output cardiac failure in patients with high-flow arteriovenous fistula.

Aims: Patients with high-flow arteriovenous (AV) access are at risk of developing high-output cardiac failure (HOCF) and subsequent hospitalization. However, diagnosing HOCF is challenging and often requires invasive procedures. The role of systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in diagnosing HOCF is underestimated, and its predictive value is limited.

Safety and efficiency of femoral artery access closure using QuikClot Combat Gauze in patients with severe arterial calcification of access sites.

Background: In order to achieve better hemostasis of puncture holes in the femoral artery (FA) after an endovascular procedure, this study evaluated the effect and safety of manual compression (MC) with QuikClot Combat Gauze (QIC) and with mechanical compression (using a C-clamp) of the common access site, the FA, in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) combined with anterior femoral artery calcification (AFAC).

Methods: We prospectively reviewed 100 patients receiving either MC with QIC or mechanical compression (control group) after endovascular intervention for PAOD plus AFAC from February 2014 to September 2018 in a single unit, which was assessed using computerized tomography angiography (CTA).

Results: The mean time to completion of hemostasis was 30±0 minutes in the control group and 18±2.

Far-Infrared Therapy Improves Arteriovenous Fistula Patency and Decreases Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Patients with Advanced Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of far-infrared (FIR) therapy on the maturation and patency of newly-created AVFs in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease (DKD) as well as the concurrent change in plasma ADMA. The study enrolled 144 participants with advanced DKD where 101 patients were randomly allocated to the FIR therapy group (N = 50) and control group (N = 51).

Clinical Effect of Revascularization Strategies and Pharmacologic Treatment on Long-Term Results in Patients with Advanced Peripheral Artery Disease with TASC C and D Femoropopliteal Lesions.

Background: This study was to assess the clinical outcome and associated parameters of endovascular therapy (EVT group) and bypass surgery (bypass group) in patients with long femoropopliteal TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) C and D peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: 187 patients who underwent successful EVT or bypass surgery were assessed. The endpoints included the events of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lower-extremity amputation (LEA), 3-year primary patency, and 3-year amputation-free survival (AFS).

Pentraxin 3 Predicts Arteriovenous Fistula Functional Patency Loss and Mortality in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction: Viable vascular access is the lifeline for hemodialysis patients. In the nondialysis population, emerging evidence suggests that circulating pentraxin 3 (PTX3), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) are associated with cardiovascular inflammation and endothelial injury. However, predictive values of these three biomarkers on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) outcomes are unknown.

miR-548j-5p regulates angiogenesis in peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular disease involving diffuse atherosclerosis, and is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe complication of PAD. In addition to medical and interventional treatment, therapeutic angiogenesis is a novel therapy for PAD.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Exacerbates Viral Entry in SARS-CoV2-Infected iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with high infectivity and mortality has caused severe social and economic impacts worldwide. Growing reports of COVID-19 patients with multi-organ damage indicated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) may also disturb the cardiovascular system. Herein, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) as the in vitro platform to examine the consequence of SARS-CoV2 infection on iCMs.

An eighth note.

Venous stenosis is the most common cause of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure in hemodialysis patients. For patients with AVF stenosis, the pressure over the antecedent part of the AVF stenotic lesion will increase if arterial inflow is sufficient. We report a chronic hemodialysis patient who received an angiographic examination for the juxta-anastomosis stenosis of his AVF.

Effects of Postoperative Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Pharmacologic Treatment, and Predisposing Factors on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With and Without Type 2 Diabetes Along With Critical Limb Ischemia.

Purpose: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) has been identified as being connected to rates of cardiovascular mortality and lower extremity amputation (LEA). This prospective study investigated the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), pharmacologic treatment, and predisposing factors on clinical outcomes in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) along with CLI after endovascular intervention.

Methods: 249 consecutive patients with CLI (Fontaine stages III-IV) received pharmacologic treatment after successful endovascular intervention.

Long-Term Cilostazol Treatment and Predictive Factors on Outcomes of Endovascular Intervention in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Critical Limb Ischemia.

Introduction: Despite improvements in endovascular interventions and multidisciplinary approaches, improving clinical outcomes and increasing limb salvage have become increasingly challenging. This prospective study investigated the associations of cilostazol treatment with clinical outcomes and predictive factors in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) after endovascular revascularization of the affected angiosome.

Methods: In this study, 172 consecutive patients with CLI (Fontaine levels III-IV) received cilostazol treatment after successful endovascular intervention according to the angiosome concept, and their primary patency rates and cardiovascular and amputation events during a 24-month follow-up period were assessed.

Hemodialysis vascular access care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dialysis patients are more vulnerable and susceptible to the severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to multiple comorbidities. Since Taiwan has the highest incidence and prevalence of treated end-stage kidney disease worldwide, it is crucial to act in advance to prevent a potential disaster. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implement proactive infection control measures to prevent it from spreading without sacrificing the dialysis care quality.

Comparative outcomes of catheter-directed thrombolysis plus rivaroxaban vs rivaroxaban alone in patients with acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis.

Background: Since novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been introduced in the past decade, the first option of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treatment is toward NOACs. However, aggressive and early thrombus removal strategy is widely used for treating acute iliofemoral DVT. Consequently, optimal treatment duration, efficacy, and safety of rivaroxaban alone or in combination with catheter-directed intrathrombus thrombolysis (CDT) in acute iliofemoral DVT patients should be investigated.

Covered stent versus bare-metal stents for chronic total occluded long complicated femoropopliteal lesions: A 2-year single center review.

Background: To compare the efficacy, safety, and results of Viabahn versus bare-metal stents (BMS) in chronic total occluded (CTO) long femoropopliteal lesions.

Methods: From April 2009 to August 2014, a total 97 patients (71.2 ± 9.

Tocilizumab, a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Against the Interleukin-6 Receptor, Inhibits High Glucose-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration Through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) promotes the disease activity of RA and insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects and molecular mechanisms of IL-6 blocker, tocilizumab, in atherosclerosis with diabetes.

Outcome of drug-eluting balloon angioplasty versus endarterectomy in common femoral artery occlusive disease.

Objective: Common femoral artery (CFA) occlusive disease remains a debatable site for endovascular therapy, and the outcome of drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty in treating CFA occlusive disease is largely unknown. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and short-term patency rate of DEB angioplasty and femoral endarterectomy for treatment of CFA occlusive disease.

Methods: From March 2013 to June 2016, there were 100 patients with symptomatic CFA occlusive disease who were retrospectively reviewed.

Endovascular and Hybrid Revascularization for Complicated Aorto-Iliac Occlusive Disease: Short-Term Results in Single Institute Experience.

Background: Treatment for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) includes endovascular interventions, hybrid procedures and surgical reconstruction. This study evaluated the short-term outcomes of endovascular and hybrid procedures in patients with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC-II) D AIOD lesions.

Materials And Methods: From January 2013 to June 2015, 41 patients with TASC-II D AIOD lesions who underwent revascularization at our institute were retrospectively included.

Edge Stenosis After Covered Stenting for Long Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease: Risk Factor Analysis and Prevention With Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty.

Purpose: To report a retrospective analysis of risk factors for edge restenosis after Viabahn stent-graft treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease and determine any protective effect of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) used at the time of stent-graft implantation.

Methods: Between October 2011 and July 2016, 110 patients (mean age 73.3±7.

Real-World Comparison of Drug-Eluting and Bare-Metal Stents in Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease with Trans-Atlantic Intersociety Consensus B Lesions: A 2-Year, Single-Institute Study.

Background: Endovascular stenting has surpassed bypass surgery to become the first-line treatment for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease, and various types of stents including bare-metal stents (BMSs), covered stents, and drug-eluting stents (DESs), have been approved for treatment. This retrospective, single-institute study compared the short-term, real-world outcomes of BMSs and DESs for treating SFA occlusive disease.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was used to enroll 94 patients who received a DES (n = 24) or BMS (n = 70) between 2009 and 2014.

Usefulness of the CHADS Score for Prognostic Stratification in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Having Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Current risk model for long-term survival prediction in isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery is complicated, whereas a simple useful model is still lacking. We aim to investigate if CHADS score could predict long-term outcome for patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. From 2000 to 2007, we identified a study cohort consisting of patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy improve midterm outcome in acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis.

Background: Aggressive and early thrombus removal strategy has been widely used as a treatment for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We compared the long-tem venous outcome, including postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), in patients undergoing catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT).

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2013, 61 patients with acute proximal DVT were enrolled in this prospective study.

Aliskiren Inhibits Neointimal Matrix Metalloproteinases in Experimental Atherosclerosis.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Acting via the angiotensin II receptor, type 1, oxidative stress increases and contributes to endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation. Renin exerts effects through a renin receptor causing an increase in the efficiency of angiotensinogen cleavage and facilitates angiotensin II (Ang II) generation and action on cell surfaces.

Sleep apnea and risk of aortic dissection: A nonrandomized, pair-matched cohort study.

Background: Sleep apnea (SA) was associated with increased prevalence of aortic dissection (AD) in studies that were criticized for either their small sample size or lack of prospective observation. Using a considerably larger nationwide, population-based database and a long-term prospective cohort design, our study strived to explore the relationship between SA and the subsequent development of AD.

Methods: From 2000 to 2007, we gathered a study cohort consisting of 15,848 newly diagnosed cases of SA from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Genotype polymorphisms of genes regulating nitric oxide synthesis determine long-term arteriovenous fistula patency in male hemodialysis patients.

Objectives: Nitric oxide (NO) is a pivotal vasoactive substance modulating arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patency for hemodialysis (HD). Since genetic background could be the predicting factor of AVF malfunction, we aimed to investigate whether the NO-related genotype polymorphisms determine AVF survival rates.

Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, multi-center study involving eight HD units in Taiwan, enrolled 580 patients initiating maintenance HD via AVFs.

Rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, improves neovascularization in the ischemic hindlimb of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Background: Factor Xa inhibitor is used for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients receiving orthopedic operation. However, the role of factor Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, in angiogenesis is still unknown.

Methods And Results: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with model of hind-limb ischemia, were divided into non-diabetic control, diabetic control, and low- and high-dose rivaroxaban treatment groups, in order to evaluate the effect of rivaroxaban in angiogenesis.