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Background & Aims: Non-invasive tests to assess the probability of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) - including the ANTICIPATE±NASH models based on liver stiffness measurement and platelet count±BMI, and the von Willebrand factor antigen to platelet count ratio (VITRO) - have fundamentally changed the management of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). However, their prognostic utility has not been compared head-to-head to the gold standard for prognostication in cACLD, i.e. the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)., Methods: Patients with cACLD (liver stiffness measurement ≥10 kPa) who underwent advanced characterization via same-day HVPG/non-invasive test assessment from 2007-2022 were retrospectively included. Long-term follow-up data on hepatic decompensation was recorded., Results: Four hundred and twenty patients with cACLD of varying etiologies, with a CSPH prevalence of 67.6%, were included. The cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation at 1 and 2 years was 4.7% and 8.0%, respectively. HVPG, VITRO, and ANTICIPATE±NASH-CSPH-probability showed similar time-dependent prognostic value (AUROCs 0.683-0.811 at 1 year and 0.699-0.801 at 2 years). In competing risk analyses adjusted for MELD score and albumin, HVPG (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [aSHR] 1.099 [95% CI 1.054-1.150] per mmHg; p <0.001), or VITRO (aSHR 1.134 [95% CI 1.062-1.211] per unit; p <0.001), or ANTICIPATE±NASH-CSPH-probability (aSHR 1.232 [95% CI 1.094-1.387] per 10%; p <0.001) all predicted first decompensation during follow-up. Previously proposed cut-offs (HVPG ≥10 mmHg vs. <10 mmHg, VITRO ≥2.5 vs. <2.5, and ANTICIPATE-CSPH probability ≥60% vs. <60%) all accurately discriminated between patients at negligible risk and those at substantial risk of hepatic decompensation., Conclusions: The prognostic performance of ANTICIPATE±NASH-CSPH-probability and VITRO is comparable to that of HVPG, supporting their utility for identifying patients who may benefit from medical therapies to prevent first hepatic decompensation., Impact and Implications: Non-invasive tests have revolutionized the diagnosis and management of clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). However, limited data exists regarding the prognostic utility of non-invasive tests in direct comparison to the gold standard for prognostication in cACLD, i.e. the hepatic venous pressure gradient. In our study including 420 patients with cACLD, the ANTICIPATE±NASH model and VITRO yielded similar AUROCs to hepatic venous pressure gradient for hepatic decompensation within 1 to 2 years. Thus, non-invasive tests should be applied and updated in yearly intervals in clinical routine to identify patients at short-term risk, thereby identifying patients who may benefit from treatment aimed at preventing hepatic decompensation., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is characterized by venous hypertension and stasis, which occur because of valvular incompetence and/or venous outflow obstruction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CVD clinical presentation and duplex ultrasonography findings in a Thai patient population., Method: This cross-sectional study examined patients diagnosed with CVD at the Chulabhorn Hospital Vascular Clinic (Bangkok, Thailand) between December 1, 2018 and October 1, 2021. Patient data was obtained from the medical records and review of lower limb venous ultrasonography studies. Patients were assessed using the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathological (CEAP) classification of venous disorders: mild-to-moderate CVD was defined as C1 to C3 and severe CVD was defined as C4 to C6., Results: Overall, 260 CVD patients were analyzed (60 men and 200 women). More than 75% of the patients were women and more than 80% had bilateral lower limb involvement. Factors associated with severe CVD were older age, female sex, high body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of deep venous thrombosis. The most common CEAP classification was C2 (38.8%), followed by C1 (33.85%), C4 (12.2%), C3 (9.23%), C6 (3.46%), and C5 (2.31%). Two-thirds of the patients had great saphenous vein reflux and nearly half had perforator vein reflux. Perforator reflux and small saphenous vein reflux were significantly associated with severe CVD (P < 0.001 and P = 0.028, respectively). Higher number of venous systems involved was significantly associated with severe CVD (P = 0.005). Reflux time of the great saphenous vein correlated with severe CVD and VCSS (P = 0.026 and P = 0.037, respectively). Mean diameters of the superficial vein, perforator vein, and deep vein and reflux times of the perforator and deep veins were not significantly associated with severe CVD., Conclusion: The major risk factors for severe CVD are older age, female sex, high body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of deep venous thrombosis. The most common CEAP classification was C2 (39%). Great saphenous vein reflux was the most common type of reflux in our study population. Increasing number of venous systems involved increased the risk of severe CVD. The presence of perforator vein reflux and small saphenous vein reflux also increased the risk of severe CVD. Reflux time of the great saphenous vein correlated with severe CVD and venous clinical severity score., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Asian Surgical Association and Taiwan Robotic Surgery Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Congestion is a major cause of hospitalization for heart failure (HF). Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) strongly correlates with right atrial pressure. We recently reported that high PVP at discharge portends a poor prognosis in patients hospitalized for HF. In the same population, we aimed to analyze changes in PVP after discharge and to evaluate prognostic implications of post-discharge PVP., Methods: PVP was measured at the forearm vein of 163 patients in the 1-month post-discharge follow-up visit. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or re-hospitalization for HF after the 1-month follow-up visit up to 1 year after discharge., Results: Post-discharge PVP correlated with jugular venous pressure, the inferior vena cava diameter, and brain-type natriuretic peptide levels. The cumulative incidence of the primary outcome event was significantly higher in patients with PVP above the median (6 mmHg) than in those with median PVP or lower (39.8% versus 16.9%, Log-rank P = 0.04). Age- and sex-adjusted risk of PVP per 1 mmHg for the primary outcome measure was significant (hazard ratio: 1.12 [95% confidence interval 1.03-1.21]). 35% of patients who had PVP ≤6 mmHg at discharge had PVP >6 mmHg at the 1-month follow-up. PVP significantly decreased from discharge to 1-month follow-up in patients without the primary outcome event (from 6 [4-10] to 6 [4-8] mmHg, P=0.01), but remained high in those with the primary outcome event (from 8 [5-11] to 7 [5-10.5] mmHg, P = 0.9)., Conclusions: PVP measurements during the early post-discharge period may be useful to identify high risk patients., Trial Registration Number: UMIN000034279., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Venous claudication (VC) is under studied, often being excluded from clinical trials and scales. The purpose of this scoping review was to give a historical perspective of VC and analyse the prevalence, pathophysiological aspects, and clinical implications., Methods: An extensive search of the books and databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane) was performed from inception until October 2021. Studies were considered eligible provided they reported on the topics of interest, whereas strict exclusion criteria with regards to the studied sample of patients, year of publication, or location of the obstruction could not be applied, because of the limited relevant literature., Results: Twenty nine articles were included. VC is found almost exclusively in patients with iliofemoral obstruction. Prevalence was reported in seven studies having a wide range from 10.6% to 74.0%. Dominant findings include increased venous volume and pressure. Pressure in capillaries also rises subsequently causing compartment oedema and increased intramuscular pressure resulting in tissue ischaemia and hypoxia. The time required for the venous pressure to return to the pre-exercise levels in the affected limbs is prolonged compared with normal (39.1 ± 14.4 seconds vs. 1.1 ± 1.1 seconds)., Conclusion: VC is an important symptom of venous outflow obstruction that is under studied, and merits further recognition. Better understanding of the pathophysiology will be achieved through investigations at tissue level. Diagnosis and improvement after treatment should be reported in an objective and standardised manner., (Copyright © 2022 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Case Presentation: A 64-year-old man with a past medical history of alcoholic cirrhosis with resultant hepatorenal syndrome requiring kidney and liver transplantation 10 years previously sought treatment at the ED with progressive lower-extremity edema and dyspnea. After noting worsening shortness of breath and cough as an outpatient, he had been referred to a pulmonary clinic and was undergoing a workup for interstitial lung disease (ILD). He had been started on prednisone 40 mg/d after a lung biopsy 4 months before admission. He was also receiving chronic immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. He had noted worsening of edema since starting prednisone., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This report describes conversion of arterio-venous graft or fistula to arterio-arterial vascular access as a new surgical treatment option for central venous occlusion. It starts with control of the axillary vein and the synthetic graft or superficialized vein proximally, the suture line of venous anastomosis is closed and end-to-side anastomosis of the synthetic graft or vein to the brachial artery (BA) is done, then ligation of the BA distal to the anastomosis is done. Now the blood flow is directed through synthetic graft or vein from proximal to distal BA that can be used as arterio-arterial vascular access for hemodialysis., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Patients with the Fontan circulation lack a subpulmonary ventricular pump and thus the main driver for pulmonary blood flow is a high central venous pressure. Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) measurement has been shown to be a reproducible and fairly accurate surrogate for central venous pressure (CVP), but not specifically for the adult Fontan circulation. This study aims to determine the relationship of PVP to CVP in adult Fontan patients., Methods: All adult patients (≥18 yo) with a Fontan circulation undergoing cardiac catheterization were included. Both CVP and PVP were measured during the catheterization. The relationship between the peripheral venous and central venous pressures was assessed using simple linear regression and the Bland-Altman plot analysis for differences., Results: Thirty-eight adult Fontan patients (mean age 30.7 ± 8.5, range 18-52 years) undergoing 43 cardiac catheterizations were analyzed. The mean CVP was 17.3 +/- 4.7 mmHg. The mean PVP was 18.4 +/- 5 mmHg. CVP and PVP were highly correlated, with an R 2 value of 0.83 (p < 0.001). The CVP can be estimated with PVP measurements using the formula CVP = (0.86 * PVP) + 1.3. A Bland-Altman plot for PVP and CVP demonstrated that the PVP overestimated CVP by a mean of 1.2 mmHg, with a 95% limit of agreement of -5.2 mmHg to 2.8 mmHg., Conclusions: In adult Fontan patients, measuring PVP is a reliable, less-invasive, and accurate method of estimating the CVP during cardiac catheterization procedures. These findings may enable outpatient monitoring of Fontan hemodynamics., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) for lymphedema of the lower extremity has been established as a minimally invasive and effective surgical treatment to return static lymph fluid to the vein. However, we often experience cases in which the effect of LVA cannot be obtained sufficiently, or the anastomotic site becomes obstructed and the edema deteriorates over a long term. One of the causes is the combination of local venous hypertension (VT) by micro-arteriovenous fistula (mAVF). We report two cases of refractory lymphedema at the lower extremity caused by mAVF and incompetent perforating vein (IPV). In these cases, surgical ligation and separation of the mAVF and IPV is effective in reducing edema., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Deep venous thrombosis rarely occurs in conjunction with other vascular anomalies, and is therefore an understudied area. Although arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) most commonly arise from congenital defects or as a result of trauma, some reports suggest that they may form in association with thrombosis of cerebral veins. In this report, we present a case of acquired pelvic and lower extremity AVFs following left common iliac vein thrombosis. The special feature of this case is that the patient received a series of treatments of which recanalization resulted in best clinical outcome. As a result of long-term follow-up (5 years), this case allows for a better understanding of the natural progression of this rare disease., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) can lead to acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Endovascular venous stenting has become a preferred treatment for IVCS. In this article, we guide stent implantation by the pressure gradient of iliac vein and inferior vena cava. To evaluate the feasibility of guidance of venous stent implantation based on venous pressure gradient difference., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with acute left lower extremity DVT who were treated in our center from March 2012 to December 2017. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1: from January 2015 to December 2017, patients were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and stent implantation was guided by the pressure gradient of iliac vein and inferior vena cava after thrombectomy; group 2: from May 2012 to December 2014, patients underwent CDT treatment without stent implantation. In group 1, the patients were divided into 2 groups according to the difference in pressure gradient after CDT: the stent group (>2 mm Hg) and the control group (≤2 mm Hg). All patients were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation to evaluate the patency of the iliofemoral vein. The Villalta score was used to evaluate the incidence of PTS., Results: The primary and secondary patency rate of group 1 at 1, 3, and 6 months after operation were higher than that in group 2 (P < 0.05). In group 1, there was no significant difference in the primary and secondary patency rate between the stent group and the control group at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation. The incidence of PTS in group 1 at 6 months after the operation was lower than that in group 2 (P < 0.05). In group 1, there was no significant difference in the incidence of PTS between the stent group and the control group at 6 months after the operation., Conclusions: Practice proves that it is simple and effective to guide stent implantation according to differences in pressure gradients. Two millimeter of mercury is the traditional standard for venous pressure interference in the pelvic area, and the effectiveness of this method was proved., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A maneuver is explained to show arterial flow and its runoff in patients with acute limb ischemia in whom neither the angiography nor the baseline Doppler can obtain a diagnosis of permeability. During the maneuver, the Doppler color scale should be set to the lowest speed. Plantar compression may result in an inverted flow in the artery because the arteriovenous precapillary communications are open. During the plantar decompress, the negative venous pressure created allows a transient arterial flow by aspiration. This maneuver can produce flux in distal tibial arteries without Doppler signal in the supine rest position and can help locate the distal target vessels for revascularization., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The necessity of repair remains controversial after major lower extremity venous injuries (MLEVIs). Ligation may cause venous hypertension which should be managed with fasciotomies. Previous studies have shown that fasciotomy rate is not affected by the type of management of MLEVIs. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of fasciotomy, amputation, and other complications from a difference between ligation and repair of MLEVIs., Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) for 2010-2014 was reviewed. Eligible patients were restricted to MLEVI patients who underwent surgical ligation or repair. Data on demographics, rate of fasciotomy, secondary amputation, and other complications were collected. Comparative analysis between ligation and repair on demographics, complications, and outcomes was performed using multivariate logistic regression models., Results: A total of 2120 patients were identified in NTDB and 1029 (48.5%) underwent ligation while 1091 (51.5%) underwent repair. The overall rate of fasciotomy and secondary amputation was 38.9% (n = 824) and 4.8% (n = 101), respectively. Patients in the ligation group had a higher proportion of university hospital setting and penetrating injury. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in other characteristics between the 2 groups. Patients in the ligation group had significantly higher rates of fasciotomy and secondary amputation and longer hospital length of stay (LOS) than those in the repair group (44.6% vs. 33.5%, risk ratio [RR] 1.33, 6.1% vs. 3.4%, RR 1.81, 11 [6-20] vs. 9 [5-17], respectively). Otherwise, there was no significant difference in all other complications and in-hospital mortality between 2 groups., Conclusions: The fasciotomy rate was surprisingly high and affected by venous ligation in patients with MLEVIs. Considering the overall physiological condition, trauma surgeons should perform venous repair aggressively and prepare judiciously for fasciotomy after surgery. Avoiding venous ligation and maintaining venous outflow may contribute to not only reducing the need for fasciotomy and LOS but also saving limbs., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ligation of abnormal portosystemic shunt has been used to treat type II Abernethy malformation, but it may not be suitable for all patients. In this study, Rex shunt was carried out to manage type II Abernethy malformation with portal venous dysplasia. The outcomes are evaluated retrospectively., Methods: Between June 2014 and January 2015, 2 boys (age: 4.8 and 12.8 years, respectively) with type II Abernethy malformation underwent Rex shunt with ligation of inferior mesenteric vein (IMV). The portal venous pressures were measured intraoperatively to decide the extent of inferior mesenteric venous ligation. An ileal vein (6 mm in diameter) and a venae sigmoideae (7 mm in diameter) were interposed between the left portal vein and superior mesenteric vein, respectively. To minimize postoperative portal hypertension, the IMV was partially ligated. Five months later, the IMV was completely ligated in a second operation because of persistent bloody stool and anemia (hemoglobin < 100 g/L)., Results: The duration of the operations was 180 and 240 min. The extrahepatic portal pressure increased after bypass, but the portal pressure was less than 24 cm H 2 O in both patients. The fecal blood loss and frequency of hemafecia decreased after surgery. The bypass vein was patent, and the portal blood flow was shown increased on postoperative ultrasound and computed tomography. There was no hypersplenism and esophageal gastric varices., Conclusions: The surgical management of Abernethy type II malformation should be individualized. Rex shunt with ligation of portosystemic shunt is feasible and effective in patients with severe dysplasia of portal vein., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Venous ulcers can be a chronic debilitating condition with a high rate of recurrence. Herein, we describe a case of a patient who successfully underwent an arterial bypass for rest pain but returned with lower extremity swelling and venous ulcers. Venography demonstrated a focal common femoral vein stenosis due to scarring from the surgical exposure. This was treated with endovenous stenting and resulted in resolution of the swelling and ulceration., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: The primary aim was to investigate whether stenting of post-thrombotic iliofemoral obstruction reduces venous hypertension. The secondary aim was to establish whether improvement in haemodynamic parameters impacts on quality of life., Methods: In this prospective observational study, 12 participants with unilateral post-thrombotic obstruction of the iliac and/or common femoral veins (CFVs) underwent a treadmill stress test with invasive pressure measurements in the CFVs and dorsal foot veins of both affected and non-affected limbs. This was performed the day before and 3 months after stenting the obstructed tract. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare the treatment effect and univariable linear regression analysis to determine the association with improvement in quality of life., Results: Before treatment, CFV pressure increased 34.8 ± 23.1 mmHg during walking in affected limbs compared with 3.9 ± 5.8 mmHg in non-affected limbs. This pressure rise decreased to 22.3 ± 24.8 mmHg after 3 months follow up compared with a 4.0 ± 6.0 mmHg increase in non-affected limbs (-26.2 mmHg difference; 95% CI -41.2 to -11.3). No such effect was found in the dorsal foot veins. The VEINES-QOL increased 25.3 ± 11.3 points after stenting and was significantly associated with a decrease in CFV pressure rise during walking (regression coefficient 0.4; 95% CI 0.1-0.6)., Conclusion: Stenting of post-thrombotic iliofemoral obstruction significantly reduces venous hypertension in the common femoral vein and correlates with an improvement in the quality of life. Larger studies with a broader range of degree of obstruction need be performed to assess whether pre-stenting pressure measurements can predict post stenting clinical success., (Copyright © 2018 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is an abnormal vascular connection between arterial and venous channels within dura mater. Although DAVFs have been linked to other types of intracranial tumors, this is the first case reporting the association between DAVF and an epidermoid tumor., Case Description: A middle-aged patient with chronic headache presented with Borden type II DAVF draining into the right transverse sigmoid junction and was also found to have an epidermoid tumor over the right mastoid. The patient underwent staged embolization of the fistula through both transvenous and transarterial routes. Continuous intraoperative venous pressure monitoring confirmed marked reduction in intracranial venous pressure, and the patient's symptoms completely resolved. However, the fistula still remained. The residual DAVF was then surgically disconnected, and the epidermoid tumor was resected in the same procedure., Conclusions: This case demonstrates a DAVF can be associated with an epidermoid tumor. Tumor can compromise the venous outflow, which can then lead to intracranial venous hypertension and development of the DAVF. Venous pressure monitoring offers an objective method to verify resolution of venous hypertension, which might correlate with resolution of clinical symptoms., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Constrictive pericarditis is a potentially treatable cause of diastolic heart failure that arises because a diseased, inelastic pericardium restricts ventricular diastolic expansion. Affected patients present with heart failure with predominant right-sided symptoms and signs. The key to diagnosis is identification of the unique hemodynamic properties associated with constriction: dissociation of intrathoracic and intracardiac pressures and enhanced ventricular interaction. Comprehensive echocardiography with Doppler imaging is useful, but invasive hemodynamic assessment and cross-sectional imaging may be required for confirmation. Cardiac MRI provides an opportunity to evaluate for pericardial inflammation. Most cases of chronic constriction are progressive and life limiting, and require surgical pericardiectomy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has beneficial pulmonary effects but may worsen the hemodynamic repercussions induced by pneumoperitoneum (PNP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection. However, by increasing intraluminal vena cava (VC) pressures, PEEP may prevent PNP-induced VC collapse. The aim of this study was to test the validity of this hypothesis., Methods: After IRB approval and written informed consent, 20 patients were evaluated prospectively. Measurements were performed before and after the application of 10 cmH 2 O PEEP on patients without PNP (Control group) and during a 12 cmH 2 0 PNP. Results are provided as means [95%CI]. Comparison used paired-sample t test., Results: PEEP induced a decrease in CI in Control subgroup (2.3 [2.0-2.6] and 2.1 [1.8-2.4] l min -1  m -2 before and after PEEP. P < 0.05). In contrast, PEEP on a pre-established PNP did not significantly modify cardiac index (CI). Transmural pressure on the abdominal vena cava decreased with PNP but was partly reversed by the addition of PEEP., Conclusion: The application of PEEP on a pre-established PNP during laparoscopic liver resection in normovolemic patients did not decrease CI. Analysis of transmural VC pressure variations confirms that the addition of PEEP may prevent the vena caval collapse induced by PNP., (Copyright © 2016 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify a unifying cardiac pathophysiology that explains the cardiac pathological features in sickle cell disease (SCD)., Background: Cardiopulmonary complications, the leading cause of adult death in SCD, are associated with heart chamber dilation, diastolic dysfunction, elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV), and pulmonary hypertension. However, no unifying cardiac pathophysiology has been identified to explain these findings., Methods: In a 2-part study, we first examined patients with SCD who underwent screening echocardiography during steady state at our institution. We then conducted a meta-analysis of cardiac studies in SCD., Results: In the 134 patients with SCD studied (median age 11 years), significant enlargement of the left atrial volume was present (z-score 3.1, p = 0.002), shortening fraction was normal (37.6 ± 4.7%), and lateral and septal ratios of mitral velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e') were severely abnormal in 8% and 14% of patients, respectively, indicating impaired diastolic function. Both TRV and lateral E/e' correlated with enlarged left atrial volume in SCD (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively). Meta-analysis of 68 studies confirmed significant left atrial diameter enlargement in patients with SCD compared with controls, evidence of diastolic dysfunction and enlarged left ventricular end-diastolic dimension with normal shortening fraction. The majority of patients with catheter-confirmed pulmonary hypertension had mild pulmonary venous hypertension consistent with restrictive cardiac physiology., Conclusions: Patients with SCD have a unique form of cardiomyopathy with restrictive physiology that is superimposed on hyperdynamic physiology and is characterized by diastolic dysfunction, left atrial dilation, and normal systolic function. This combination results in mild, secondary, pulmonary venous hypertension and elevated TRV. Sudden death is common in other forms of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Our finding of this unique restrictive cardiomyopathy may explain the increased mortality rates and sudden death seen in patients with SCD with mildly elevated TRV., (Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Positive external pressure is said to decrease transmural pressure; negative pressure in the pleural cavity is widely believed to result in negative pressure in systemic chest veins. The discrepancy between erect column height and foot venous pressure has been explained on this basis., Methods: These core concepts rest on static closed models that may not be appropriate. This study examined the effects of external pressures in a dynamic open model that may better reflect in vivo conditions. Flow in a Penrose drain enclosed in a chamber that could be positively or negatively pressurized was used. Input and output reservoirs with pressures in the physiological range provided flow. Flow and pressure were monitored in horizontal and erect models with modifications to suit particular experiments., Results: The discrepancy between foot venous pressure and erect venous column height was shown in this experimental model to be a result of two flows in opposite directions (superior and inferior vena cavae) meeting at the zero reference level at the heart; the upper column pressure therefore does not register at the foot. Positive external pressure results in slowing of velocity with conversion to pressure. Internal and transmural pressures therefore do not decrease. Negative external pressure has only a marginal effect on flow; importantly, internal pressure does not become negative. In an experimental set-up it was shown that negative pressure in chest veins was not necessary for air embolism to occur., Conclusion: Persistent negative pressure in systemic chest veins probably does not occur. The reason for the discrepant foot venous pressure is likely to be a result of dynamic flow and not negative pressure in chest veins. External positive pressure results in slowing of velocity but the transmural pressure remains largely unchanged., (Copyright © 2015 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pleiotropic effects of statins decrease intrahepatic resistance and portal hypertension., Aim: We evaluated the effects of simvastatin on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and azygos vein blood flow in cirrhotic patients., Methods: A 3-month prospective, randomized, triple-blind trial with simvastatin (40 mg/day) vs. placebo was conducted in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. HVPG and azygos blood flow, measured by colour Doppler endoscopic ultrasound, were assessed before and after treatment. The primary endpoint was a decrease in the HVPG of at least 20% from baseline or to ≤12 mmHg after the treatment., Results: 34 patients were prospectively enrolled, and 24 completed the protocol. In the simvastatin group 6/11 patients (55%) presented a clinically relevant decrease in the HVPG; no decrease was observed in the placebo group (p=0.036). Patients with medium/large oesophageal varices and previous variceal bleeding had a higher response rate to simvastatin. HVPG and azygos blood flow values were not correlated. No significant adverse events occurred., Conclusion: Simvastatin lowers portal pressure and may even improve liver function. The haemodynamic effect appears to be more evident in patients with severe portal hypertension., (Copyright © 2015 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effect of a novel surgical procedure, esophagogastric devascularization without splenectomy (EDWS), with the widely used modified esophagogastric devascularization (MED) with splenectomy for the treatment of portal hypertension., Methods: Fifty-five patients with portal hypertension were included in this retrospective study. Among them, 27 patients underwent EDWS, and the other 28 patients underwent MED. Patients' characteristics, perioperative parameters and long-term follow-up were analyzed., Results: The portal venous pressure was decreased by 20% postoperatively in both groups. The morbidity rate of portal venous system thrombosis in the EDWS group was significantly lower than that in the MED group (P=0.032). The 1- and 3-year recurrence rates of esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage were 0% and 4.5% in the EDWS group, and 0% and 8.7% in the MED group, respectively (P=0.631)., Conclusions: EDWS is a safe and effective treatment for esophagogastric varices secondary to portal hypertension in selected patients. Patients treated with EDWS had a lower complication rate of portal venous system thrombosis compared with those treated with conventional MED.

Background & Aims: Significant liver fibrosis (F ⩾ 2) and portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ⩾ 6 mmHg) 1 year after liver transplantation (LT) are predictors of severe hepatitis C recurrence. Periportal sinusoidal fibrosis (SF) is an early expression of the fibrogenic process in response to liver injury. We aimed to evaluate whether SF in early liver biopsies represents an early and accurate marker for identifying patients with severe HCV recurrence after LT., Methods: A total of 101 HCV LT patients with early biopsy (<6 months), and HVPG measurement and/or liver biopsy one year after LT were included. Early biopsies were stained with Sirius Red and SF was graded semi-quantitatively. Results were compared between groups (significant SF vs. non-significant SF) and correlated with the development of severe HCV recurrence one year after LT., Results: Patients with early significant SF had older donor age and higher necroinflammatory activity (NIA). The presence of early significant SF enabled identification of 78.9% and 90.6% of patients with F ⩾ 2 and HVPG ⩾ 6 mmHg, respectively, one year after LT. Donor age and NIA were independent predictors of significant fibrosis (F ⩾ 2) one year after LT, whereas donor age, ALT (3 months), NIA, and SF grade were independent predictors of portal hypertension (HVPG ⩾ 6)., Conclusions: Significant SF in early biopsies is a good predictor of severe hepatitis C recurrence. This histological finding, when combined with simple variables, may be useful to select the best candidates for early antiviral therapy after LT., (Copyright © 2014 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The majority of bioprosthetic venous valves do not have a sinus pocket and, in practice, they are often placed in non-sinus segments of the veins. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the sinus pocket on the flow dynamics in a prosthetic valve., Methods: A bench top in vitro experiment was set up at physiological flow conditions to simulate the flow inside a venous system. Bicuspid bioprosthetic valves with different leaflet lengths (5 and 10 mm) were tested in tubes with and without a sinus pocket and the flows around the valve were visualized by particle image velocimetry (PIV). Velocity data measurements were made and the vorticity was calculated in the with- and without-sinus set-ups., Results: PIV measurements showed that vortex structure was maintained by the sinus. For the 10-mm leaflet length design with sinus, the jet width at the exit of the valve was 59% of that without sinus. For the 5-mm design with sinus, the jet width was 73% of the valve without sinus. Flow from the sinus region was entrained into the main jet observed near the exit of the sinus and altered the flow at the near wall region., Conclusions: The sinus pocket alters the flow around the valve and functions as flow regulator to smooth the flow pattern around the valve. The vortical structure inside the sinus is maintained at the valve leaflet tip during the valve cycle. For the prosthetic valve designated to be placed without a sinus, a shorter leaflet length is preferable and performs more closely to the valve with sinus., (Copyright © 2014 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Central vein stenosis or occlusion remains an unfortunate complication associated with the use of dialysis catheters. In patients with a functioning arteriovenous fistula, central vein stenosis can lead to debilitating arm, breast, or neck swelling. Treatment typically involves central vein angioplasty or stenting, or both, but restenosis and reocclusion rates remain high. Presented here are the initial results of a unique series of patients with a mature arteriovenous access and symptomatic upper extremity venous hypertension who were treated with axillary vein-to-femoral vein bypass after endovascular therapy failed., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 10 hemodialysis patients with a functioning right upper extremity access who underwent axillary vein-to-femoral vein bypass between December 2011 and April 2013., Results: The 10 patients (seven men) were a median age of 58 years. All patients had documentation of prior central venous catheter placement and had undergone a previous endovascular procedure that was unsuccessful or technically unfeasible. The median hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1-3 days), and the median assisted-primary patency was 197 days (25th-75th percentile, 114-240 days). Three patients presented with recurrent arm swelling that was successfully managed in one patient with revision of the proximal anastomosis. Three additional patients presented with subsequent lower extremity swelling, with one patient benefitting from femoral vein angioplasty. Ultimately, six patients continued to use their original access, and two required placement of interval central venous catheters for hemodialysis., Conclusions: In patients who have exhausted all endovascular options, axillary-to-femoral vein bypass may represent a safe and efficacious approach to alleviate extremity swelling while simultaneously salvaging a functional dialysis access., (Published by Mosby, Inc.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and stenting in the treatment of iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) with acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 61 patients (36 women, 25 men, age range 32-90 years, mean 64 years) who had IVCS with acute iliofemoral thrmobosis (≤10 days) and were treated by CDT and stenting between June 2006 and August 2011. All patients presented with IVCS with a median duration of 4.1 days and were treated with CDT (urokinase: initial dose of 125,000-250,000 U followed by 20,000-60,000 U/hr) followed by stent placement. Filters were implanted in those patients with existing pulmonary embolism (PE), inferior caval vein thrombosis, or in accordance with the patients' request. The patency, the pressure gradient crossing the stenosis of the iliac vein, both thigh and calf limb circumferences, and complications were assessed before and after CDT and stenting. A Duplex ultrasound was used to perform follow-up examinations at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years after the operation., Results: Three patients had PE before CDT as assessed by the computed tomography angiography. A total of 28 patients had a filter implanted (25 patients had a Cordis permanent filter and 3 patients had a Braun temporary filter). A total of 68 stents were implanted in 61 patients. Overall, the 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year primary patency rates were 96.7%, 95.1%, 91.8%, 90.2%, 88.5%, and 85.2%, respectively. The pressure gradient crossing the stenosis of the iliac vein decreased significantly after CDT and stenting (7.22 ± 4.64 vs. 1.82 ± 2.78 cm H2O, P < 0.001). The reductions of thigh and calf circumferences were 66.7% (6.19 ± 2.67 vs. 1.98 ± 1.43 cm) and 61.6% (4.36 ± 2.10 vs. 1.46 ± 1.10 cm), respectively. Reocclusion occurred in 7 patients within 1-27 months. Four patients (7%) experienced minor bleeding and were treated successfully with sandbag compression. One patient felt light pain on the left waist after 3 months of stenting. No large hematoma, stent migration, or acute thrombosis complications occurred during the procedure. Two patients died from nonvascular causes during a follow-up of 2-62 months (mean, 31.0 months). Four patients were found with limb swelling and three patients felt heaviness. The incidence rate of postthrombotic syndrome was 11.5% (7/61)., Conclusions: Treatment with CDT for IVCS with acute DVT achieves good patency and vein function after 5 years of follow-up in this study. However, further evidence is required to establish longer term benefits., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Collateralized intra- and extra-hepatic routes in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) were important. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of the staged management of BCS based on the degree of compensation provided by intra- or extra-hepatic collateral circulations., Methods: A total of 103 adult patients with BCS caused by co-obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and main hepatic veins (MHVs) between March 2001 and October 2009 were enrolled in this study. Based on the pathological classification and degree of hemodynamic compensation by collateral circulations, treatment priority for IVC hypertension was determined in the first-stage treatment. Patients were deemed eligible for second-stage treatment when the first-stage treatment failed to relieve., Results: Imaging results revealed that most patients had collateral circulations to different extents. Based on the degree of compensation provided by these collateral circulations, 74 patients underwent single-stage treatment for IVC hypertension, i.e., radiologic intervention (RI) for 61 patients and surgical procedures (SPs) for 13. One patient was treated for portal hypertension. Twenty-nine patients underwent second-stage treatment (25 underwent RI and SP, and 4 only SP). The general morbidity and mortality after all procedures were 8.3% and 1.5%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 35 months, 4 patients underwent second-stage treatment and 7 underwent recanalization of the IVC/MHVs. Two patients died of hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 died of graft obstruction., Conclusion: Staged management produces excellent outcomes for patients with BCS caused by co-obstruction of the IVC and MHVs.

Acute compartment syndrome of the upper limb due to dialysis access-related bleeding is a rare and severe complication of hemodialysis. In most reported cases, this complication is caused by an enlarging hematoma after puncture or perforation of a fistula in combination with the use of heparin. In this case report, we describe a 52-year-old woman presenting with venous hypertension and left-arm swelling that progressed suddenly on the fifth day of presentation to neurological deficits, cyanotic skin changes, and typical clinical symptoms of acute arm compartment syndrome. An angiographic scan confirmed a critical stenosis at the proximal cephalic-axillary venous junction, and balloon angioplasty successfully dilated the lesion. The arm swelling and other symptoms subsided dramatically within 3 days. This case represents a potentially different mechanism for the development of acute arm compartment syndrome in dialysis patients as well as a treatment strategy different from standard fasciotomy to reduce intracompartmental pressure., (Copyright © 2013 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare central venous pressure (CVP) with peripheral venous pressure (PVP) monitoring during the intraoperative and postoperative periods in patients undergoing spine surgery., Design: Prospective observational study., Setting: University-affiliated teaching hospital., Patients: 35 ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 patients., Interventions: A peripheral catheter in the forearm or hand and a central catheter into the internal jugular vein were placed for PVP and CVP monitoring, respectively., Measurements: CVP and PVP values were collected simultaneously and recorded electronically at 5-minute intervals throughout surgery and in the recovery room. The number of attempts for catheter placement, ease of use, maintenance, and interpretation were recorded. Patient comfort, frequency of complications, and cost were analyzed., Main Results: The correlation coefficient between CVP and PVP was 0.650 in the operating room (P < 0.0001) and 0.388 in the recovery room (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between groups in number of attempts to place either catheter, maintenance, and interpretation with respect to PVP and CVP monitoring in the operating room. In the recovery room, the nurses reported a higher level of difficulty in interpretation of PVP than CVP, but no differences were noted in ease of maintenance. There were no complications related to either central or peripheral catheter placement. Patient comfort and cost efficiency were higher with a peripheral than a central catheter., Conclusion: During clinically relevant conditions, there was limited correlation between PVP and CVP in the prone position during surgery and postoperatively in the recovery room., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Idiopathic portal hypertension is a rare cause of portal hypertension, frequently misdiagnosed as cryptogenic cirrhosis. This study evaluates specific findings at hepatic vein catheterisation or liver stiffness in idiopathic portal hypertension., Methods: 39 cases of idiopathic portal hypertension patients were retrospectively reviewed. Hepatic vein catheterisation and liver stiffness measurements were compared to matched patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, and non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis, included as controls., Results: Hepatic vein-to-vein communications were found in 49% idiopathic portal hypertension patients precluding adequate hepatic venous pressure gradient measurements in 12. In the remaining 27 patients, mean hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was 7.1 ± 3.1 mm Hg. Only 5 patients had HVPG≥10mmHg. HVPG was markedly lower than in cirrhosis (17 ± 3 mm Hg, p<0.001). Mean liver stiffness in idiopathic portal hypertension was 8.4 ± 3.3 kPa; significantly higher than in non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis (6.4 ± 2.2 kPa, p=0.009), but lower than in cirrhosis (40.9 ± 20.5 kPa, p=0.005). Only 2 idiopathic portal hypertension patients had liver stiffness >13.6 kPa., Conclusions: Patients with idiopathic portal hypertension frequently have hepatic vein-to-vein communications and, despite unequivocal signs of portal hypertension, HVPG and liver stiffness values much lower than the cut-off for clinical significant portal hypertension in cirrhosis. These findings oblige to formally rule-out idiopathic portal hypertension in the presence of signs of portal hypertension., (Copyright © 2012 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Nutcracker syndrome results from left renal vein compression by the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. The consecutively increased renal venous pressure results in hematuria, proteinuria, flank pain, left-sided varicocele, pelvic congestion, and others. We report a 25-year-old man with nutcracker syndrome who underwent successful left renocaval venous bypass with autologous great saphenous vein. The patient's condition clearly improved, with no clinical relapse after treatment. Ultrasound imaging showed patency of the venous bypass and decreased venous hypertension. This technique is a feasible choice for surgical treatment of nutcracker syndrome, with a low incidence of complications and satisfactory results., (Copyright © 2012 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare and correlate right atrial pressure, which represents central venous pressure (CVP) to jugular vein pressure (JVP) in laterally recumbent horses under anesthesia., Study Design: Retrospective clinical trial., Animals: Seven adult healthy horses (411 ± 8.7 kg)., Methods: Horses were sedated with IV xylazine and anesthesia was obtained with IV ketamine and diazepam. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. All horses were positioned in left lateral recumbency. An 8F catheter introducer was inserted into the right jugular vein to measure JVP. An 8F catheter introducer was inserted into the left jugular vein to be used as the port for a 7F 110 cm catheter that reached the right atrium to measure CVP. Both, CVP and JVP were measured simultaneously with a water calibrated aneroid manometer using the sternum as the 0 cmH(2) O reference point. Measurements were compared using Spearman correlation and the Bland-Altman plot., Results: Twenty paired samples were obtained over a period of 2 hours. The CVP ranged from 7 to 31 cmH(2) O, while the JVP ranged from 5 to 30 cmH(2) O. The Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that CVP and JVP had a strong correlation with r = 0.88. The Bland-Altman plot showed a bias of 0.7 cmH(2) O., Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Jugular vein pressure showed a strong correlation with CVP in healthy, euvolemic, laterally recumbent anesthetized adult horses. Thus, JVP cannot replace CVP but it may be used clinically to monitor CVP in laterally recumbent horses., (© 2011 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. © 2011 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.)

Venous hypertension after creation of arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous shunt occurs in approximately 10-15% of patients (Kojecky et al., Biomed Papers, 2002;146:77-79; Criado et al., Ann Vasc Surg 1994;8:530-535). Its etiology is commonly stenosis and/or thrombosis of the central venous system secondary to previous catheterization with subsequent development of venous hypertension after the arteriovenous connection is made. Treatment strategies often involve venography to determine the site of venous stenosis and/or occlusion centrally and subsequent endovascular recanalization of the stenotic or occluded veins. In this article, we report a case of venous hypertension in a 76-year-old man who presented with a swollen arm after placement of an arteriovenous fistula. In this circumstance, venography revealed extrinsic compression of the subclavian vein at the level of the first rib, the anatomic abnormality seen in venous thoracic outlet syndrome. In this report, we describe surgical and endovascular management of this patient, and review the literature on the causes of central vein stenosis discovered after creation of dialysis access., (Copyright © 2011 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Posterior nutcracker syndrome (PNS) is a rare condition due to left renal vein (LRV) hypertension, caused by compression of the LRV between the vertebral column and the abdominal aorta. Diagnosis of PNS is challenging, as symptoms are variable and not specific. Therapeutic options are debated, and either conservative, open, or endovascular approaches have been advocated as both safe and effective. We report our experience with a case of PNS in a 17-year-old woman, who presented with a 2 year history of recurrent hematuria associated to severe left flank and back pain, successfully treated with anterior transposition of the LRV., (Copyright © 2011 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To measure the effect on the venous pumping function of a stocking providing a negative pressure gradient with higher pressures over the calf in comparison to a conventional graduated elastic compression stocking (GECS) in patients with advanced venous insufficiency., Design: Experimental study., Material: 30 patients with severe superficial chronic venous insufficiency were enrolled. Two elastic stocking designs exerting a pressure at ankle between 15 and 25 mm Hg were compared; a conventional GECS and a stocking exerting a higher pressure over the calf than over the ankle producing a "progressive" increase in compression (PECS)., Method: the venous calf pumping function was assessed by measuring the ejection fraction (EF) from the lower leg by a plethysmographic method during a standardised exercise. Interface pressure of the 2 compression devices was simultaneously recorded both at B1 = 12 cm above ankle, C = just above widest part of calf., Results: The mean increase of EF produced by PECS was +75% (95 CI 48, 7-101,3) compared with +32% (95% CI 16, 8-48,6) with GECS (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between EF and the stocking pressure measured at calf level during standing and walking., Conclusion: Stockings exerting a higher pressure on the calf than on the ankle show a greater efficacy in increasing the venous ejection fraction from the leg., (Copyright © 2011 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)