Examining Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow catheter performance and cost in hemodialysis access.

Background: The Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) vascular access device is a hybrid polytetrafluoroethylene graft-stent construct designed to address central venous occlusive disease. Although initial experience has demonstrated excellent mid-term patency rates, subsequent studies have led to external validity questions. The purpose of this study was to examine a single center experience with this vascular access device in challenging access cases with associated costs.

Coil embolization of persistent false lumen after type A dissection repair.

A 44-year-old man with a type A dissection repair 5 years earlier presented with progressive enlargement of the residual arch and thoracic aorta. Flow into the false lumen from the distal aortic suture line was evident on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Through a redo hemisternotomy, the false lumen was accessed directly.

Impact of psychological factors on objective ambulatory measures in patients with intermittent claudication.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in objective measures of ambulation and psychosocial factors in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) stratified by type D personality, which incorporates elements of social inhibition and negative affectivity.

Methods: During a 1-year period, routine history and physical examination, ankle-brachial index, and pulse volume recording were performed on IC patients. Questionnaires assessing type D personality and psychosocial factors were also collected.