Target Balloon-Assisted Antegrade and Retrograde Use of Re-Entry Catheters in Complex Chronic Total Occlusions.

Unlabelled: Purpose, Retrograde recanalizations have gained increasing recognition in complex arterial occlusive disease. Re-entry devices are a well described adjunct for antegrade recanalizations. We present our experience with target balloon-assisted antegrade and retrograde recanalizations using re-entry devices in challenging chronic total occlusions.

Pledget Reinforcement and Tractional Compression as Adjunctive Techniques for Suture-Mediated Closure (SMC) in Percutaneous Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (pEVAR): A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (pEVAR) is commonly utilized and requires the use of suture-mediated closure (SMC) devices to ensure adequate femoral artery hemostasis. Despite the use of such devices, puncture-related complications remain relatively common. We introduced two new adjuncts (pledget reinforcement and tractional compression) along with SMC to reduce such puncture-related complications.

Diabetics are less likely to develop thoracic aortic dissection: a 10-year single-center analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an acknowledged risk factor for atherosclerosis, and diabetics are more likely to have hypertension. Atherosclerosis and hypertension are risk factors for aortic dissection. However, recent studies have shown that DM is associated with changes in aortic wall collagen.

Diabetes mellitus and aortic aneurysm rupture: a favorable association?

Introduction: Recent reports suggest that diabetic patients are relatively unlikely to have abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). This retrospective study assesses the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and aortic aneurysm rupture.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of any aortic aneurysm during a 10-year period were identified from our records.

Tasers--less than lethal!

We report a case of potentially lethal injury associated with the use of Taser. A 42-year-old man was stopped by police for potential detention. He held a large carving knife over his epigasrium threatening to stab himself.