Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Study of 44 Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the preliminary treatment outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included patients with refractory CP/CPPS who underwent TAE between April 2022 and February 2023. All patients had persistent pelvic pain for at least 3 months, a total score of at least 15 on the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and lacked evidence of infection.

Clinical results of ultrasound-guided intra-arterial embolization targeting abnormal neovessels for plantar fasciitis: 66 cases with up to 4 years of follow-up.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of chronic heel pain, affecting young and older patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with PF refractory to conservative treatment who underwent intra-arterial embolization of abnormal neovessels. All patients received temporary embolic material through a needle percutaneously inserted into the posterior tibial artery.

Intra-Arterial Injection of Temporary Embolic Material Through a Needle Inserted into the Radial or Ulnar Artery for Distal and Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Study of 92 Patients.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial injection of imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) via a needle placed into the radial artery or ulnar artery (RA/UA) for distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (DIP/PIP-OA).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective single-arm cohort study. Ninety-two patients [92% women, mean (SD) age 55(8.

Two-year outcomes comparing Embosphere® microspheres versus Imipenem Cilastatin for genicular artery embolization in patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a novel technique and has the potential to provide midterm relief of pain for patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis resistant to conservative management. This study compares the efficacy and safety of trisacryl gelatin microspheres to Imipenem/Cilastatin particles for GAE with 2 years of clinical follow-up.

Methods: In this retrospective study, eight patients with knee osteoarthritis (11 knees) who underwent GAE with 100-300 μm trisacryl gelatin microspheres particles were compared with six patients (nine knees) who underwent GAE with Imipenem/Cilastatin particles.

Transcatheter arterial embolization of abnormal neovessels in a swine model of knee arthritis.

Background: In recent years, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) has attracted attention as a treatment for relieving osteoarthritis (OA) pain. However, IPM/CS is not approved by Japanese medical insurance for use as an embolic material. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new embolic materials for TAE to relieve OA pain.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Using Imipenem/Cilastatin Sodium for Chronic Low Back Pain Resistant to Conservative Treatment: A Pilot Study with 2-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and 2-year follow-up clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using imipenem/cilastatin sodium for chronic low back pain resistant to conservative treatment.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review identified 14 patients who underwent TAE for chronic low back pain between October 2017 and August 2018. Patients with low back pain related to the facet or sacroiliac joint, lasting ≥ 6 months, refractory to ≥ 3 months of conservative treatment were eligible for TAE.

Intra-arterial Infusion of Temporary Embolic Material in a Patient with Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Report.

This case report concerns a 51-year-old woman with a 6-month history of severe right heel pain diagnosed as plantar fasciitis (PF) treated with intra-arterial infusion of imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) through a 24G indwelling needle directly inserted into the posterior tibial artery (PTA). Angiography of the indwelling needle immediately before the infusion of IPM/CS demonstrated an increased number of abnormal vessels at the calcaneal attachment of the plantar fascia. Two procedures were planned: The first procedure was performed, and the second was performed 1 month after the first.

Mechanisms of gradual pressure drop in angiographically normal left anterior descending and right coronary artery: Insights from wave intensity analysis.

Background: This study evaluated the mechanism of decline in coronary pressure from the proximal to the distal part of the coronary arteries in the left anterior descending (LAD) versus the right coronary artery (RCA) from the insight of coronary hemodynamics using wave intensity analysis (WIA).

Methods: Twelve patients with angiographically normal LAD and RCA were prospectively enrolled. Distal coronary pressure, mean aortic pressure, and average peak velocity were measured at 4 different positions: 9, 6, 3, and 0 cm distal from each coronary ostium.

Effects of Transcatheter Arterial Microembolization on Persistent Trapezius Myalgia Refractory to Conservative Treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial microembolization for patients with trapezius myalgia.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the prospectively collected data of patients with trapezius myalgia for > 6 months who were refractory to conservative treatment and were treated by transcatheter arterial microembolization between October 2017 and January 2019. Transcatheter arterial microembolization was performed using imipenem/cilastatin on the vessels of the transverse cervical artery, suprascapular artery, and circumflex scapular artery according to the region of pain.

Randomized phase II trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin versus paclitaxel plus carboplatin in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer: TORG 0503.

Objective: Adjuvant chemotherapy is standard of care for patients with completely resected stage IB, II and IIIA NSCLC. However, optimum chemotherapy regimen has not been determined. TORG0503 was undertaken to select a preferred platinum-based 3 generation regimen in this clinical setting.

Distribution of pressure gradients along the left anterior descending artery in patients with angiographically normal arteries.

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that there is no decline of coronary pressure from the proximal to the distal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of humans and swine.

Background: In the daily clinical practice, the fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the LAD is frequently lower than that in the other arteries in the presence of a similar degree of stenosis.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with angiographically normal LAD were prospectively enrolled.

Multicenter study of zoledronic acid administration in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with bone metastasis: Thoracic Oncology Research Group (TORG) 1017.

Skeletal-related events (SREs) may occur at the time of first diagnosis in 20-30% of lung cancer patients with bone metastases. Several clinical trials have shown that zoledronic acid (ZA) is effective for decreasing SREs. The main objective of the present study was to discuss clinical data of ZA and compare the frequency of SREs with previous reports.

Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Microembolization on Phantom Limb Pain Persisting for 17 Years.

Phantom limb pain is a frequent consequence of the amputation; currently available treatments are far from satisfactory. The present report describes a case in which transcatheter arterial microembolization had a remarkable curative effect on phantom limb pain persisting for 17 years. The patient began feeling phantom limb sensations and brief intermittent pain following lower limb amputation above the knee in 2001.

Atherosclerotic Component of the Yellow Segment After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation on Coronary Angioscopy - An Ex-Vivo Validation Study.

Background: Coronary angioscopy (CAS) is used to comprehensively evaluate vascular responses after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. This study sought to evaluate the capability of CAS for evaluating DES strut coverage grade and color grade of the intima compared with histological images in coronary autopsy specimens.

Methods and results: A total of 23 DES extracted from 11 autopsy hearts were imaged by CAS.

Impact of low tissue backscattering by optical coherence tomography on endothelial function after drug-eluting stent implantation.

This study evaluated the impact of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived low-backscattered tissue on mid-term coronary endothelial function after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Although OCT enables detailed in vivo evaluation of neointimal tissue characterization after DES implantation, its association with physiological vascular healing response is unclear. Thirty-three stable angina pectoris patients underwent OCT examination and endothelial function testing with intracoronary infusion of incremental doses of acetylcholine 8-month after DES implantation in a single lesion of the left anterior descending artery.

Initial pathological responses of second-generation everolimus-eluting stents implantation in Japanese coronary arteries: Comparison with first-generation sirolimus-eluting stents.

Background: The clinical benefit of second-generation drug-eluting stents (2nd DES) has been established, compared to first-generation drug-eluting stents (1st DES). However, pathological response after 2nd DES implantation remains unclear, particularly in the Japanese population.

Methods: Using specimens obtained by autopsy, we compared the histology between 2nd DES (41 sections) and 1st DES (38 sections) lesions within 1 year after stent implantation to evaluate early tissue reaction in Japanese patients.

Impact of bioresorbable versus permanent polymer on longterm vessel wall inflammation and healing: a comparative drug-eluting stent experimental study.

Aims: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have evolved to using bioresorbable polymers as a method of drug delivery. The impact of bioresorbable polymer on long-term neointimal formation, inflammation, and healing has not been fully characterised. This study aimed to evaluate the biological effect of polymer resorption on vascular healing and inflammation.

Potential of New-Generation Double-Layer Micromesh Stent for Carotid Artery Stenting in Patients with Unstable Plaque: A Preliminary Result Using OFDI Analysis.

Background: One disadvantage of carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a high incidence of distal embolism (DE) during or after the procedure. Patients with unstable plaque are considered at high risk for DE and plaque protrusion (PP) after stent placement, which can cause postprocedural ischemic complications. This study was conducted to compare the rate and size of PP between the CASPER stent, a new-generation double-layer micromesh stent, and conventional stents as assessed by optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI), and also to evaluate the efficacy of CAS with the CASPER stent in cases with unstable plaque.

The distribution of calcified nodule and plaque rupture in patients with peripheral artery disease: an intravascular ultrasound analysis.

In addition to plaque rupture (PR), calcified nodule (CN) may also have the potential to develop into arterial thrombus in the peripheral arteries. This study evaluated the distribution of plaque ruptures and calcified nodules in the peripheral arteries and their impact on the outcome of endovascular therapy (EVT). Consecutive 159 patients who underwent EVT with intravascular ultrasound guidance were enrolled.

Preclinical in vivo long-term evaluation of the novel Mitra-Spacer technology: experimental validation in the ovine model.

Aims: The Mitra-Spacer (Cardiosolutions, Bridgewater, MA, USA) is designed to treat mitral regurgitation by introducing a dynamic spacer that constantly adapts to the changing haemodynamic conditions during the cardiac cycle. We aimed to evaluate the performance and safety of this device in the chronic ovine model.

Methods And Results: Eight sheep were enrolled in this study.

Impact of stent diameter on vascular response after self-expanding paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in the superficial femoral artery.

Background: The optimal sizing of self-expanding paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in the treatment for superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions is unclear. This study sought to investigate the influence of PES diameter on stent patency in SFA lesions using optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI).

Methods: A total of 20 de novo SFA lesions were randomized 1:1 to receive either self-expanding PES with a nominal diameter of 6mm or 8mm.

Comparing the vascular response in implantation of self-expanding, bare metal nitinol stents or paclitaxel-eluting nitinol stents in superficial femoral artery lesions: a serial optical frequency domain imaging study.

Aims: This study sought to investigate differences in vascular response between self-expanding bare metal nitinol stents (BMS) and paclitaxel-eluting nitinol stents (PES), in superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease, using optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI).

Methods And Results: Six months after stent implantation, follow-up quantitative vascular angiography (QVA) and OFDI assessment were scheduled to evaluate vascular response. Volume index (VI) was defined as volume divided by stent length.

Four-year polymer biocompatibility and vascular healing profile of a novel ultrahigh molecular weight amorphous PLLA bioresorbable vascular scaffold: an OCT study in healthy porcine coronary arteries.

Aims: The vascular healing profile of polymers used in bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) has not been fully characterised in the absence of antiproliferative drugs. In this study, we aimed to compare the polymer biocompatibility profile and vascular healing response of a novel ultrahigh molecular weight amorphous PLLA BRS (FORTITUDE®; Amaranth Medical, Mountain View, CA, USA) against bare metal stent (BMS) controls in porcine coronary arteries.

Methods And Results: Following device implantation, optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluation was performed at 0 and 28 days, and at one, two, three and four years.

Biological effect on restenosis and vascular healing of encapsulated paclitaxel nanocrystals delivered via coated balloon technology in the familial hypercholesterolaemic swine model of in-stent restenosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological efficacy of a novel lower-dose (2.5 µg/mm2) encapsulated paclitaxel nanocrystal-coated balloon (Nano-PCB) in the familial hypercholesterolaemic swine (FHS) model of iliofemoral in-stent restenosis.

Methods And Results: Nano-PCB pharmacokinetics were assessed in 20 femoral arteries (domestic swine).