Peritoneal dialysis in centenarian patients: no age limitation?

Background: The majority of dialysis patients are elderly, and the trend towards even more elderly people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) will further determine the dialysis field in the future.

Method: If these elderly ESRD patients do not opt for conservative ESRD care, they may still qualify for peritoneal dialysis (PD), which may be assisted or unassisted.

Results: Although they may be more frail and have a greater co-morbidity burden compared to their younger counterparts, elderly patients with ESRD may still be able to maintain a good functionality level with adequate quality of life by performing PD, which may be assisted (treatment performed or supported e.

The value of intravascular ultrasound in the treatment of central venous obstructions in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard in diagnosis and treatment of central venous obstructions (CVOs) in hemodialysis access. However, growing data suggest that DSA might underestimate the degree and morphology of venous outflow stenosis. This could lead to inappropriate CVO management.

Diagnostic algorithms and treatment strategies in primary aortic and aortic graft infections.

Aortic infections and aortic graft infections are one of the most dreadful clinical entities that a vascular surgeon can face. Clinical presentation of the patient can vary greatly and diagnosis can be difficult to make. In this manuscript, diagnostic modalities are reviewed and a diagnostic algorithm suggested.

Hemodialysis vascular access management in the Netherlands.

Purpose: In the Netherlands, 86% of patients start renal replacement therapy with chronic intermittent hemodialysis (HD). Guidelines do indicate predialysis care and maintenance of a well-functioning vascular access (VA) as critical issues in the management of the renal failure patient. Referral to the surgeon and time to VA creation are important determinants of the type and success of the VA and HD treatment.

Surgical or endovascular repair of thrombosed dialysis vascular access: is there any evidence?

Introduction: Endovascular and surgical strategies have been used to manage patients with thrombosed vascular access for hemodialysis. We analyzed the evidence to see whether endovascular or surgical treatment has the best outcome in terms of primary success rate and long-term patency.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search of endovascular and surgical repair of thrombosed hemodialysis vascular access.

Endograft treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms using the Talent aortouniiliac system: an international multicenter study.

Objective: To understand the potential of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients presenting with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA), the proportion in whom this procedure was applicable was assessed. Mortality and morbidity was also determined in patients treated with emergency EVAR (eEVAR) when anatomic and hemodynamic conditions allowed (ie, in the entire cohort with patients receiving endovascular and open repair combined). In addition, a comparison was made between the treatment group with eEVAR and open repair.

Emergency endovascular treatment for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and the risk of spinal cord ischemia.

Background: Spinal cord ischemia is a rare complication after open surgical repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). The use of emergency endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (eEVAR) is increasing, and paraplegia has been observed in a few patients. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence and pathogenesis of spinal cord ischemia after eEVAR in greater detail.

Diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysm and outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair: does size matter? A report from EUROSTAR.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the preoperative diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms on the midterm outcome after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Method: The data for 4392 patients who had undergone EVAR were analyzed. Patients were enrolled over 6 years to June 2002 in the EUROSTAR database.

Emergency treatment of symptomatic or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: the role of endovascular repair.

Purpose: To report the initial experience with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with ruptured or symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and to compare the results with conventional open surgery.

Methods: Between May 1999 and December 2001, 24 patients (21 men; mean age 75 years, range 56-89) with ruptured or symptomatic AAA underwent EVAR using a specially designed aortomonoiliac endograft. Six patients were selected based on device and operator availability; the subsequent 18 patients were treated under a modified management protocol that offered stent-graft repair to all symptomatic AAA patients.