Features and selection of vascular access devices.

Objective: To review venous anatomy and physiology, discuss assessment parameters before vascular access device (VAD) placement, and review VAD options.

Data Sources: Journal articles, personal experience.

Conclusion: A number of VAD options are available in clinical practice.

The interventional radiology clinic: what you need to know.

It is increasingly recognized that clinical management in interventional radiology is necessary. To effectively participate in such management requires patient management infrastructure. The cornerstone of this effort is the clinical office.

The interventional radiology clinic: key ingredients for success.

During the past two decades, the practice of interventional radiology has evolved into one that mandates longitudinal patient care taking place before, during, and after interventional procedures. This requires the establishment of relationships between physicians and patients that often must be fostered in an outpatient clinic setting. Recognition of this practice shift was formally made by the American College of Radiology with the publication of a document concerning the importance of clinical patient management within the practice of interventional radiology.

The use of tissue plasminogen activator infusion to re-establish function of tunneled hemodialysis catheters.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator alteplase in the clearance of poorly functioning tunneled hemodialysis catheters.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 25 patients who presented with poorly functioning hemodialysis catheters and were treated with alteplase. After confirming fluoroscopically the need for thrombolytic therapy, alteplase was administered over 2 hours as a 2.

Early ambulation after diagnostic angiography using 4-f catheters and sheaths: a feasibility study.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and safety of early ambulation in patients undergoing transfemoral diagnostic angiography using 4-F catheters or sheaths.

Methods: In this prospective study approved by the institutional review board, patients undergoing diagnostic angiography were randomized to ambulate 3 or 6 hours after catheter or sheath removal. All patients were assessed for hematoma formation, pseudoaneurysm development, and other groin complications during the in-hospital recovery period and after 30 days.