A Reliable Method: Purse-String Hemostasis for Arteriovenous Fistula or Arteriovenous Graft Cannulation after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the most common therapy used to treat dialysis patients with an occluded arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). AVF or AVG hemostasis after PTA is time consuming, and it may be complicated with acute thrombosis of the AVF or AVG and re-bleeding from the puncture site. In this study, we prospectively studied 145 hemodialysis patients with occluded AVF or AVG using a modified purse-string suture with short tubing tourniquet technique for hemostasis following PTA, during which we used heparin and urokinase infusion.

Successful use of a balloon catheter to facilitate guidewire placement in an occluded coronary artery with extreme angulations.

The present report describes the case of a 77-year-old man with unstable angina, in which the culprit vessel was extremely angulated and precluded placement of a guidewire for subsequent coronary interventions. A novel technique is reported, using an undersized, uninflated and distally placed balloon catheter, which easily facilitated guidewire placement.

Successful use of a guide wire to engage an occluded vessel following failure of conventional catheterization techniques in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.

The present report describes the case of a 43-year-old woman with acute inferior myocardial infarction, in whom the culprit vessel was posteromedially located, and various diagnostic or guide catheters could not be engaged. The culprit vessel was directly cannulated using a guide wire, which allowed for a successful coronary intervention.

Myocardial and peripheral concentrations of beta-endorphin before and following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion during coronary angioplasty.

There is substantial evidence indicating that endogenous opioid peptides are involved in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. We measured the myocardial and peripheral concentrations of beta-endorphin before and following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion during coronary angioplasty. The results indicate that in patients with coronary artery disease, there was an augmented myocardial concentration of beta-endorphin.

Embolic cerebral infarction and gastrointestinal hemorrhage following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

We report an unusual case of cerebral embolization that occurred after intravenous thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction. Direct observation by serial echocardiograms in this patient confirmed that the thrombolytic treatment induced lysis and fragmentation of thrombus, and the subsequent dislodging and embolization of preexisting cardiac thrombi, which caused the cerebral infarction. It is suggested that an echocardiogram, if instantly available, be performed before considering thrombolytic therapy whenever acute anterior wall myocardial infarction is impressed.