Immunosuppression in high-risk transplantation.

Purpose Of Review: Increasingly, transplant clinicians are faced with providing candidates with increased risks for poorer outcome with donor grafts that also carry higher risks of failure. Understanding the role of immunosuppressive management in these combinations of higher risks remains important for optimizing results.

Recent Findings: Few immunosuppressive protocols have been rigorously tested in the high-risk renal transplant setting.

Organ donation.

Liver transplantation expertise has expanded throughout the world to the point where liver transplants are available in most developed countries. In many cases, however, legislation and regulations have not kept pace with the advances in healthcare technology. In a few cases, these regulatory voids have lead to exploitation and profit making around transplantation activities.

Analysis of anatomic factors and age in patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stenting.

Recent data suggest that patient age >80 years may be associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications from carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). In this study, we analyzed anatomic risk factors in patients undergoing CAS based on age >80 or <80 years. Our hypothesis was that patients >80 would have more challenging anatomy.

Treatment of type II endoleaks with a novel polyurethane thrombogenic foam: induction of endoleak thrombosis and elimination of intra-aneurysmal pressure in the canine model.

Objective: The clinical significance and treatment of retrograde collateral arterial perfusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms after endovascular repair (type II endoleak) have not been completely characterized. A canine abdominal aortic aneurysm model of type II endoleak with an implanted pressure transducer was used to evaluate the use of polyurethane foam to induce thrombosis of type II endoleaks. The effect on endoleak patency, intra-aneurysmal pressure, and thrombus histology was studied.

Comparison of results in endovascular interventions for infrainguinal lesions: claudication versus critical limb ischemia.

This study analyzed clinical success, patency, and limb salvage after endovascular repair in patients treated for chronic limb ischemia presenting with claudication versus critical limb ischemia. Between October 2001 and August 2004, 115 patients (mean age 71) underwent endovascular treatment for infrainguinal arterial disease. Techniques included subintimal angioplasty and transluminal angioplasty with or without stents.

Percutaneous endovascular treatment for chronic limb ischemia.

Percutaneous transluminal methods of revascularization for chronic limb ischemia have traditionally been used as an adjunctive or secondary mode of treatment. This study examines the outcomes of patients treated via endovascular methods as the primary form of treatment. The records of 66 patients (average age, 71.

Computer simulation as a component of catheter-based training.

Introduction: Computer simulation has been used in a variety of training programs, ranging from airline piloting to general surgery. In this study we evaluate the use of simulation to train novice and advanced interventionalists in catheter-based techniques.

Methods: Twenty-one physicians underwent evaluation in a simulator training program that involved placement of a carotid stent.

Stent graft treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: recent developments in therapy.

Purpose Of Review: Minimally invasive endovascular techniques for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms have significantly reduced the morbidity of these procedures compared with standard surgical repair. In addition, patients with extensive comorbid medical illnesses in whom standard operative repair is contraindicated may be successfully treated using endovascular means.

Recent Findings: Recently, several important developments have significantly advanced this area of treatment.

Failure of endovascular aortoaortic tube grafts: a plea for preferential use of bifurcated grafts.

Objective: Aortoaortic tube graft repair was the first technique used for the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, progressive changes in the morphology of the distal aortic neck may be responsible for procedural failure. This study examines the use of aortoaortic tube prostheses and analyzes the factors that contributed to their failure and the methods used for their subsequent repair.