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Thoracic epidural analgesia is commonly used for postoperative analgesia for abdominal and thoracic surgeries. One complication of thoracic epidural catheter placement is a malpositioned catheter, such as in the subarachnoid, subdural, or intrapleural space. We present a case of unintentional posterior mediastinal catheter placement. The catheter produced a sensory level and analgesic benefit and was only identified incidentally on computed tomography (CT) imaging. This case highlights another possible anatomic location for unintentional catheter placement, which may be more common than reported, as it functioned as an epidural catheter by all clinical metrics and would not have been identified without imaging., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Prevention of limb ischemia in patients with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is primarily achieved through the use of distal perfusion catheters (DPC). Our objective was to assess the role of DPC, and specifically the size of the catheter, in reducing the incidence of acute limb ischemia (ALI) through a meta-analysis. Seventeen studies met criteria for analysis. Pooled analysis included a total of 2,040 patients, of which 904 patients received ECMO with DPC and 1,136 patients underwent ECMO without DPC. Compared with ECMO alone, ECMO with DPC, regardless of size, significantly decreased ALI (relative risk [RR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31-0.77; p = 0.002). When comparing reactive versus prophylactic placement of DPC, prophylactic DPC was associated with significantly decreased ALI (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24-0.71; p = 0.02). No differences in mortality (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.76-1.03; p = 0.12) and bleeding events (RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 0.41-4.96; p = 0.58) were observed between the two groups. This analysis demonstrates that the placement of DPC, if done prophylactically and regardless of size, is associated with a reduced risk of ALI versus the absence of DPC placement, but is not associated with differences in mortality or bleeding events., Competing Interests: Disclosure: B.A.W. serves as a consultant for Abbott Laboratories and serves on the Clinical Events Committee of TransMedics OCS. B.A.W. partially supported through National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart Lung and Blood Institute grant R01HL143000. N.A.M. serves and a consultant and investigator for Abbott, Medtronic, Carmat, Xylocor and SynCardia. A.M.G. was a prior consultant for Abbvie Pharmaceuticals. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © ASAIO 2024.)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an important treatment for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary life support for clinically critical patients. Currently, ECMO tubing is commonly fixed by tie-wraps or tourniquets, which have shortcomings such as easy loosening and potential damage to the tubing. Improper fixation of the catheter can lead to a series of adverse events, such as accidental disconnection of the tubing, rupture of the tubing, tubing folding, and air ingress into the tubing. In order to overcome the above problems, the research team of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University invented a device for ECMO line fixation and obtained a national utility model patent of China (patent number: ZL 2019 2 2282849.3). The tool is mainly composed of several devices, including a line fixation clamp, a clip fixation device, and a base plate, which is uniquely designed and easy to operate. During ECMO therapy, this device ensures effective stabilization of the ECMO tubing, preventing unexpected incidents due to catheter loosening and facilitating the observation of ECMO catheter insertion markings. Pipeline can be effectively fixed to avoid the occurrence of accidents due to the loosening of the catheter, and at the same time, it is convenient to observe the placement scale of the ECMO catheter. The novelty and uniqueness of the fixation device materials also effectively prevent the occurrence of pressure injuries during its use.

Peripheral nerve blocks are typically avoided for high-speed tibial plateau fractures due to their ability to mask the paresthesias and pain associated with the feared complication of acute compartment syndrome (ACS). We present a case in which sciatic nerve and adductor canal catheters were placed utilizing low-volume infusions allowing for neurovascular assessment. These catheters served as a valuable portion of the multi-modal pain regimen in this patient with a Schatzker VI tibial plateau fracture., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Purpose: Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare yet significant complication associated with neuraxial anesthesia. Here, we present the case of a 74-yr-old male who underwent open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Following the removal of an epidural catheter, the patient developed anterior spinal cord syndrome due to an SEH despite having a normal coagulation profile., Clinical Features: This patient's neurologic presentation was marked by a loss of motor function while maintaining fine touch sensation distal to the spinal cord injury. Initial truncal computed tomography (CT) angiography failed to detect vascular compromise or diagnose the SEH. Subsequently, delayed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multilevel thoracic epidural hematoma, spinal cord infarction, and ischemia. Immediate surgical decompression was performed, but unfortunately, the patient had a poor outcome., Conclusion: Anterior spinal cord syndrome (ASCS) represents an uncommon neurologic manifestation of SEH, which is typically characterized by a triad of back pain and sensory and motor deficits. Although the initial CT scan was necessary to diagnose the postvascular surgery complication, it did not immediately detect the SEH. In cases of ASCS subsequent to thoracic epidural placement and removal, MRI is the preferred imaging modality for precise diagnosis and assessment of the need for surgical intervention. Despite adherence to anticoagulation guidelines, patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia may face an elevated risk of developing SEH. Health care professionals should remain vigilant in monitoring for neurologic abnormalities following epidural catheter insertion or removal, particularly in the context of vascular surgery., (© 2024. Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.)

Objective: We report on the 1-year outcomes of fetuses who underwent thoracoamniotic shunting (TAS) with a double-basket catheter for fetal hydrothorax (FHT) using a national post-marketing surveillance registry., Methods: This surveillance study was conducted for cases enrolled between 2011 and 2019. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative findings and outcomes had to be reported through the national surveillance website., Results: Forty-three institutes enrolled 295 patients. In 60 patients, associated abnormalities were diagnosed after birth. Among the 235 patients with isolated hydrothorax, the survival rate at 1 year of age was 70.5%. Among these patients, 89% did not require oxygen or other respiratory support. The 1-year survival rate in complicated cases was 27%. Trisomy 21 was the most common associated problem (40%). Catheter associated problems, including dislocation (25%), obstruction (24%), and preterm rupture of the membranes (6%) were observed, but there were no severe maternal complications. TAS before 29.5 weeks of gestation (odds ratio [OR] 0.16) and skin edema and ascites (OR 0.06) were risk factors for death at one year, whereas appropriate shunt location for >28 days (OR 4.2) was a protective factor., Conclusion: We report a favorable survival rate in fetuses with isolated FHT treated with this double-basket catheter., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Catheter reaction forces during transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) may result in injury to the vessel or plaque rupture, triggering distal embolization or thrombosis. In vitro test methods represent the arterial wall using synthetic proxies to determine catheter reaction forces during tracking, but whether they can account for reaction forces within the compliant aortic wall tissue in vivo is unknown. Moreover, the role of plaque inclusions is not well understood. Computational approaches have predicted the impact of TAVR positioning, migration, and leaflet distortion, but have not yet been applied to investigate aortic wall reaction forces and stresses during catheter tracking. In this study, we investigate the role that catheter design and aorta and plaque mechanical properties have on the risk of plaque rupture during TAVR catheter delivery. We report that, for trackability testing, a rigid test model provides a reasonable estimation of the peak reaction forces experienced during catheter tracking within compliant vessels. We investigated the risk of rupture of both the aortic tissue and calcified plaques. We report that there was no risk of diseased aortic tissue rupture based on an accepted aortic tissue stress threshold (4.2 MPa). However, we report that both the aortic and plaque tissue exceed a rupture stress threshold (300 kPa) with and without the presence of stiff and soft plaque inclusions. We also highlight the potential risks associated with shorter catheter tips during catheter tracking and demonstrate that increasing the contact surface will reduce peak contact pressures experienced in the tissue., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common device-associated healthcare-acquired infections and pose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide. However, there is a paucity of data on CAUTI epidemiology and microbiology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Lebanon., Methods: This 14-year retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. It analyzed data on all adult patients diagnosed with CAUTI between January 2009 and December 2022 in intensive care units (ICUs) and between June 2011 and December 2022 in regular units. Incidence rates, urinary catheter utilization ratios, and microbiological profiles were collected and analyzed., Results: A total of 620 CAUTI cases were identified during the study period. The overall CAUTI rate was 2.4 per 1000 catheter-days, with higher rates in ICUs (3.2 per 1000 catheter-days) compared to regular units (1.4 per 1000 catheter-days). No significant changes in the rates were noted despite implementing many interventions. The most common pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria, with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae being predominant. Multidrug-resistant organisms represented 48% of all isolates. Enterobacterales were largely extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing, and most Acinetobacter baumannii isolates showed multidrug resistance., Conclusions: This study provides important insights into CAUTI epidemiology and microbiology in a tertiary care center in Lebanon, addressing the knowledge gap in this area in the MENA region. Despite implementing prevention measures, CAUTI rates remained stable over the 14-year period. The findings highlight the need for continuous improvement in infection prevention practices, diagnostic stewardship, and antimicrobial stewardship, especially given the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. These results can serve as a guide for the development of targeted preventive strategies to reduce the burden of CAUTIs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where antimicrobial resistance is a major issue., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: Delayed radial artery occlusion (dRAO) is a frequent complication after transradial access (TRA) for neurointervention when using standard large guide catheters. The RIST 079 guide catheter (RIST GC) is the first catheter designed for TRA in neurointervention. We aimed to assess the rate of dRAO after intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment using the RIST GC., Methods: Patients treated for an IA using TRA and the RIST GC between June 2021 and November 2022 were referred to a systematic US-doppler assessment of the radial artery patency at 3-month follow-up. Patients with and without dRAO were compared to identify risk factors., Results: Twenty-two patients were included in the analysis. At 3-months follow up, 6 patients (27.3 %) presented with dRAO. Four patients were asymptomatic and 2 experienced post-operative radial hematoma and wrist pain. There was a tendency towards younger age, longer procedure duration and higher rate of forearm hematoma in patients with dRAO. Navigation using the RIST GC was successful in 90.9 % of cases. Intracranial access failures and navigation complications were all related to left internal carotid artery navigation., Conclusions: At 3-month follow up, 27.3 % of patients treated for IA using TRA with the RIST GC presented dRAO., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial or personal relationships that could be viewed as influencing the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) may be useful in treating exsanguinating trauma patients. This study seeks to compare rates of success, complications and time required for vascular access between ultrasound-guidance and surgical cut-down for femoral sheath insertion as a prospective observational case control study. Participating clinicians from either trauma surgery or anesthesiology were allocated to surgical cut-down or percutaneous ultrasound-guided puncture on a 1:1 ratio. Time spans to vessel identification, successful puncture, and balloon inflation were recorded. 80 study participants were recruited and allocated to 40 open cut-down approaches and 40 percutaneous ultrasound-guided approaches. REBOA catheter placement was successful in 18/40 cases (45%) using a percutaneous ultrasound guided technique and 33/40 times (83%) using the open cut-down approach (p < 0.001). Median times [in seconds] compared between percutaneous ultrasound-guided puncture and surgical cut-down were 36 (18-73) versus 117(56-213) for vessel visualization (p < 0.001), 136 (97-175) versus 183 (156-219) for vessel puncture (p < 0.001), and 375 (240-600) versus 288 (244-379) for balloon inflation (p = 0.08) overall. Access to femoral vessels for REBOA catheter placement is safer when performed by cut-down and direct visualization but can be performed faster by an ultrasound-guided technique when vessels can be identified clearly and rapidly., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Rationale: Retrograde jejunoduodenogastric intussusception refers to invagination of distal small intestine into the stomach. It is extremely rare. It is often associated with displaced feeding catheter in which its balloon tip migrates past the gastric pylorus. The intussusception is triggered by retraction of migrated catheter. It is often accompanied by feeding intolerance or catheter malfunction. This report describes a distinctive case of retrograde jejunoduodenogastric intussusception associated with a fully functioning nonballoon nasojejunal tube., Patient Concern: A 19-year-old female was presented with repeated vomiting and abdominal distension for 5 days., Diagnosis: An abdominal computerized tomography revealed retrograde jejunoduodenogastric intussusception causing air/fluid-filled gastric distension. Immediate endoscopic examination revealed a loop of small intestine, protruding through the pylorus. Progressed ischemia of the migrated small bowel loop was confirmed., Interventions: At laparotomy, a jejunal loop migrating into the duodenum and stomach at the level of the ligament of Treitz was noticed. After manual reduction of migrated bowel, 2 segmental resections of necrotic segment were performed. A feeding jejunostomy was constructed in the proximal jejunum., Outcomes: Enteral feeding through the surgically constructed feeding jejunostomy was started on the 5th operative day and the patient was discharged on the 16th postoperative day., Lessons: When a patient under tube feeding exhibits abrupt intractable gastroesophageal reflux with a sign of catheter migration, we must consider the possibility of catheter-related intussusception. Having a fully functioning feeding catheter with nonballoon tip does not preclude retrograde jejunoduodenogastric intussusception., Competing Interests: The author has no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Regional anesthesia nerve blocks are increasingly used for patients undergoing cardiac surgery as part of multimodal pain management. Though rare, local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a severe complication that requires vigilant monitoring. We present a case of a postcardiac surgery patient who developed LAST multiple days after surgery from lidocaine via an erector spinae plane catheter. This episode was determined to be a result of impaired lidocaine metabolism from liver shock caused by worsening pulmonary hypertension. Even under continuous monitoring, patients with cardiac or liver dysfunction are at increased risk of complications from local anesthetics., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT) is rare. Thrombophilia is one of the important risk factors. It is also uncommon for gene mutations in F9 gene to cause thrombosis but not hemorrhage. A 35-year-old male patient was admitted to our department with left lower limb swelling without an obvious cause for 1 day. Through contrast-enhanced computed tomography and color Doppler ultrasound, he was found to have lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, IVCT and pulmonary embolism. Through whole-exome sequencing analysis, he was found to carry a 925.7 kb duplication (chrX:137939698-138865419, hg19) encompassing ATP11C , SRD5A1P1 , MCF2 , FGF13 and F9 genes. This duplication of F9 gene was not detected in his parents. Other thrombophilic genes defects were not found. The factor IX activities of this patient, his father and mother were 194, 70 and 148, respectively. He was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis, AngioJet-assisted pharmaco-mechanical thromboectomy and manual aspiration thromboectomy. Complete recanalization of left femoral, iliac veins and inferior vena cava was achieved. F9 gene duplication is a rare mutation, which can induce multiple venous thrombosis through increasing the activity level of factor IX in plasma. IVCT is a serious type of venous thrombosis. Personalized intervention treatment plans should be developed based on the different clinical characteristics of each case to achieve a higher benefit-risk ratio., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) is a severe and acute type of stroke with a complex pathophysiology and is a therapeutic challenge. This case report described a man in his early 50's diagnosed with IVH by computed tomography (CT). Although bilateral extraventricular drainage (EVD) was undertaken, a postoperative CT scan showed that while the left catheter was correctly positioned, the right catheter had been wrongly inserted into the cisterna ambiens. The procedure was equivalent to simultaneous EVD combined with cisternostomy. As a consequence, the haematoma was rapidly removed, the risk of infection and long-term hydrocephalus was reduced, and prognosis was improved. Large case-control studies or prospective studies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this treatment modality., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Objective: Temporary vascular access is mandatory for acute hemodialysis. Heparin lock solution is the standard of care worldwide. Many lock solutions were studied in terms of thrombosis and catheter-related infection prevention, but none replaced heparin as a standard measure. Our main aim is to investigate the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), a ubiquitous and cheap option as a catheter lock solution, in comparison with traditionally used heparin in non-tunneled hemodialysis catheters., Methods: We conducted our prospective study between March 2021 and March 2022. Our study included 441 patients > 18 years old who needed either femoral or jugular non-tunneled dialysis catheters. Patients were assigned to either heparin (5000 IU/ml) or 8.4% sodium bicarbonate on a consecutive basis. Basic characteristics and information regarding catheters, dialysis sessions, and complications were recorded. We divided patients according to the catheter insertion site as well as the lock solution., Results: We analyzed 426 patients divided into four groups: jugular heparin (n = 113), jugular bicarbonate (n = 113), femoral heparin (n = 113), and femoral bicarbonate (n = 100). Basal characteristics were similar for all groups. The mean time to last effective dialysis in our institution was 10.7 ± 12.1 days for heparin vs 11.5 ± 10.8 days for the bicarbonate group. 25 (5.9%) patients had some kind of blood flow problems (13 in the heparin and 12 in the bicarbonate group). There was no significant difference in terms of catheter malfunction among groups (p = 0.50). Out of these 25 cases, only 12 (7 in heparin and 5 in the bicarbonate arm) had catheter dysfunction (p = 0.386). Sixty-four patients (28%) with jugular catheters were discharged with patent catheters and continued their dialysis in other facilities., Conclusion: Sodium bicarbonate is as effective as classic unfractionated heparin in preventing catheter lumen thrombosis with a comparable incidence of catheter-related complications. Furthermore, it is a cost-effective option that can be used confidently, especially when heparin is contraindicated., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04772209 (26.02.2021)., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Purpose: Elderly patients admitted to geriatrics departments often require peripheral venous catheters (PVC), which should be inserted and maintained following a series of preventive recommendations. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a training bundle comprising measures aimed at reducing complications associated with the use of PVC in elderly patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital., Methods: We performed a prospective study of patients who received a PVC within 24 h of admission to a geriatrics department. After a 10-month pre-interventional period, we implemented an educational and interventional bundle over a 9-month period. Follow-up was until catheter withdrawal. We analyzed and compared clinical and microbiological data between both study periods., Results: A total of 344 patients (475 PVC) were included (pre-intervention period, 204 patients (285 PVC); post-intervention period, 140 patients (190 PVC)). No statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics were observed between the study periods. The colonization and phlebitis rates per 1000 admissions in both periods were, respectively, 36.7 vs. 24.3 (p = 0.198) and 81.5 vs. 65.1 (p = 0.457). The main reason for catheter withdrawal was obstruction/malfunctioning (33.3%). Obstruction rate was higher for those inserted in the hand than for those inserted at other sites (55.7% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.045)., Conclusions: We found no statistically significant differences regarding phlebitis and catheter tip colonization rates. It is necessary to carry out randomized studies assessing the most cost-effective measure to reduce complications associated with PVC., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the risk factors contributing to catheter-associated bloodstream infection in hemodialysis patients., Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in both English and Chinese databases, which encompassed PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Database and China Biomedical Literature Database. The search timeframe extended from each database's inception to March 8, 2023. Two independent researchers executed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using RevMan 5.3 software, facilitating the identification of significant risk factors associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients. This meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42023406223., Results: Forty-nine studies were incorporated into this meta-analysis, from which 22 risk factors were examined. Through the analysis, 17 risk factors exhibited statistical significance (P < 0.05): age (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [0.49, 4.68]), diabetes (OR = 2.52, 95% CI [1.95, 3.25]), kidney disease (OR = 3.45, 95% CI [1.71, 6.96]), history of catheter-associated infection (OR = 2.79, 95% CI [1.96, 3.98]), hypertension (OR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.08, 1.91]), dialysis duration (OR = 3.06, 95% CI [1.70, 5.50]), catheter placement site (OR = 1.91, 95%CI [1.35, 2.70]), catheter duration (OR = 2.06, 95% CI [1.17, 3.60]), number of catheterizations (OR = 4.22, 95% CI [3.32, 5.37]), catheter types (OR = 3.83, 95% CI [2.13, 6.87]), CD4+ cells (OR = 0.33, 95% CI [0.18, 0.63]), albumin (ALB, OR = 2.12, 95% CI [1.15, 3.91]), C-reactive protein (CRP, OR = 1.73, 95% CI [1.47, 2.03]), hemoglobin (Hb, OR = 1.48, 95% CI [0.54, 4.07]), procalcitonin (PCT, OR = 1.05, 95% CI [1.03, 1.06]), inadequate hand hygiene (OR = 5.32, 95% CI [1.07, 26.37]), and APACHE II scores (OR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.33, 4.37])., Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that age, diabetes, kidney disease, history of catheter-associated infection, hypertension, dialysis duration, catheter placement site, catheter duration, number of catheterizations, catheter type, CD4+ cells, albumin, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, procalcitonin, inadequate hand hygiene, and APACHE II scores significantly influence the incidence of catheter-associated bloodstream infection in hemodialysis patients., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Guo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Iatrogenic complications of endovascular treatment for central venous stenosis have not yet been reported. Here we present a case of a patient on maintenance hemodialysis who developed catheter-related superior vena cava syndrome and subsequently suffered from hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade after undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting., Case Presentation: A 72-year-old male patient presented with uremia, and had been receiving maintenance hemodialysis for the past five years. The patient initially presented with dysfunction of the dialysis catheter (a cuffed tunneled double-lumen catheter in the right internal jugular vein). Imaging examination revealed a segmental occlusion of the superior vena cava stretching from the distal end of the dialysis catheter up to right atrium entrance, apparent compensatory dilatation of the azygos vein, and abundant subcutaneous collaterals. The patient underwent percutaneous transluminal balloon dilatation and stenting (covered stent) of the superior vena cava in the Cath Lab. During the procedure, with forceful advancement of the guidewire, it was observed to progress for a distance before a "smoke" appeared, and an outward spillage of contrast agent was visible, which suggested a possible vessel puncture leading into the mediastinum. Unfortunately, postoperative hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade occurred and the patient developed cardiogenic shock. He experienced symptoms included chest tightness and breath shortness with a recorded blood pressure of 84/60mmHg. After draining 600 ml of bloody fluid through pericardiocentesis, the patient's symptoms alleviated and his condition improved., Conclusions: The case emphasizes the need for increased attention to iatrogenic endovascular injuries during catheter placement and endovascular treatment, such as causing pericardial hemorrhage leading to cardiac tamponade., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Convective water vapor thermal therapy or "Rezum™" treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostate hypertrophy require postoperative catheterization to avoid acute urinary retention. Unsuccessful catheter removal is still unpredictable. We, therefore, aimed to identify the risk factors of failed initial trial without catheter (TWOC) after Rezum™ therapy inside a large cohort of patients., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent Rezum™ therapy by three referent urologists across two academic hospitals between January 2022 and January 2023. A Foley catheter was systematically placed after therapy for 7 days in all patients before TWOC. Patients characteristics [age, imagery, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR)], and treatment outcomes (International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), adverse events) were analyzed at baseline and 3 months from procedure. Failed initial TWOC was defined as the incapacity to pass urine or measured PVR > 300 mL. After univariate selection, the risk factors for TWOC failure were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: 216 patients qualified for analysis with 23 (10.6%) failing the first TWOC after 7 days of catheterization. After multivariate logistic regression, only preoperative PVR predicted TWOC failure (OR 1.01; p = 0.007). The cut-off of preoperative PVR increasing this risk was 120 mL (p = 0, 02)., Conclusion: Over 10% of men undergoing Rezum™ therapy for LUTS/BPH will experience TWOC failure and AUR after 7 days of catheterization. Preoperative PVR seems to be the only independent risk factor of unsuccessful catheter removal., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Elevated endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) levels are associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The clinical implication of endogenous EPO levels in patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) beyond other conventional risk factors remains unknown., Methods: Consecutive patients with EPO measurements who underwent TAVI for the treatment of their severe aortic stenosis at our institute between May 2015 and December 2020 were included. The association between the endogenous EPO levels and the primary outcome consisting of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization was evaluated., Results: A total of 263 patients (85.1 ± 5.1 years old, 74 men) were included and tertiled according to the baseline EPO levels. The high EPO group had more advanced anemia, renal impairment, and hypoalbuminemia than the other two tertiled groups (p < 0.05 for both). Patients with high EPO had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of the primary outcomes compared to the other two groups (p = 0.002) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 6.0 (95 % confidence interval 1.9-18.1) in its logarithmic value (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Elevated baseline EPO levels were independently associated with mortality and morbidity following TAVI. The clinical implication of aggressive intervention on the elevated EPO levels in this cohort remains the next concern., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest K Koichiro is a member of the Journal of Cardiology Editorial Team. Other authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The placement of a jejunostomy catheter during esophagectomy may cause postoperative bowel obstruction. The proximity of the jejunostomy site to the midline might be associated with bowel obstruction, and we have introduced laparoscopic jejunostomy (Lap-J) to reduce jejunostomy's left lateral gap. We evaluated 92 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between February 2013 and August 2022 to clarify the benefits of Lap-J compared to other methods. The patients were classified into two groups according to the method of feeding catheter insertion: jejunostomy via small laparotomy (J group, n = 75), and laparoscopic jejunostomy (Lap-J group, n = 17). Surgery for bowel obstruction associated with the feeding jejunostomy catheter (BOFJ) was performed on 11 in the J group. Comparing the J and Lap-J groups, the distance between the jejunostomy and midline was significantly longer in the Lap-J group (50 mm vs. 102 mm; P < 0.001). Regarding surgery for BOFJ, the distance between the jejunostomy and midline was significantly shorter in the surgery group than in the non-surgery group (43 mm vs. 52 mm; P = 0.049). During esophagectomy, Lap-J can prevent BOFJ by placing the jejunostomy site at the left lateral position to the midline and reducing the left lateral gap of the jejunostomy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

We present a case of acute dyspnea due to postoperative oral bleeding after tonsillectomy, wherein a blood clot obscured the laryngeal structures to such an extent that no recognizable structures could be identified. A larger-bore suction catheter without side holes proved necessary to solve the problem. The case illustrates how a gradually forming blood clot can remain asymptomatic until reaching a size where it poses an airway threat and highlights the necessity for readily available larger-bore suction devices without side holes. We consider this as an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of blood clot formation and its management., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the International Anesthesia Research Society.)

Background and Aims: Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is the prognostically most unfavourable complication after aortic valve replacement. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the different pathological and therapeutical aspects between PVE following surgical (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI)., Methods: All patients who had undergone primary isolated SAVR (n = 3447) or TAVI (n = 2269) at our Centre between 01/2012 and 12/2018 were analysed. Diagnosis of PVE was based on Duke criteria modified in 2015. Incidence, risk factors, pathogens, impact of complications or therapy on mortality were analysed and compared between SAVR- and TAVI-PVE., Results: PVE incidence did not differ significantly after SAVR with 4.9/100 patient-years and TAVI with 2.4/100 patient-years (p = 0.49), although TAVI patients were older (mean 80 vs. 67 years) and had more comorbidities (STS score mean 5.9 vs. 1.6) (p < 0.001). TAVI prostheses with polymer showed a 4.3-fold higher risk to develop PVE than without polymer (HR 4.3; p = 0.004). Most common pathogens were staphylococci and enterococci (p > 0.05). Propensity-score matching analysis showed that the type of aortic valve replacement had no effect on the development of post-procedural PVE (p = 0.997). One-year survival was higher in TAVI-PVE patients treated with antibiotics only compared to additional surgical therapy (90.9% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.005). In SAVR-PVE patients, both therapies were comparable in terms of survival (p = 0.861). However, SAVR-PVE patients who were not operated, despite ESC-guideline recommendation, had significantly poorer one-year survival (p = 0.004)., Conclusion: TAVI patients did not have a significantly higher risk to develop PVE. Our data suggest that TAVI-PVE patients in contrast to SAVR-PVE patients can more often be treated with antibiotics only, presumably due to the lack of a polymeric suture ring., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Intracardiac migration is a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Only 15 cases have been reported, 7 of which were paediatric cases, treated with techniques including interventional radiography, open thoracotomies and direct extraction through the initial shunt incision. The authors report the youngest case of intracardiac shunt migration complicated by significant coiling and knotting within the cardiac chambers and pulmonary vasculature. Migration likely began when the SVC was pierced during initial shunt placement and progressed due to negative intrathoracic pressure. Extrusion was achieved combining thoracoscopic endoscopy, interventional fluoroscopy screening and a posterolateral neck incision with uncoiling of the shunt via a Seldinger guide wire. This offered a minimally invasive solution with rapid post-operative recovery., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: External ventricular drain (EVD) placement is a common neurosurgical procedure that can be performed at bedside. A frequent complication following EVD placement is catheter-associated hemorrhage (CAH). The hemorrhage itself is rarely clinically significant but may be complicated in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet (AC/AP) medications., Methods: A total of 757 patients were who underwent EVD placement at bedside were included as part of a retrospective study at a large academic medical center. Demographic factors, use of AC/AP therapies, and several other clinical variables were recorded and assessed in univariate and multivariate regression analysis for association with CAH and mortality., Results: One hundred (13.2%) patients experienced CAH within 24 hours of the procedure. After univariate analysis, in 2 tandem-run multivariate regression analyses after stepwise variable selection, use of 2 or more AC/AP agents (odds ratio [OR] = 2.362, P = 0.020) and dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (OR = 3.72, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with CAH. Use of noncoated catheters was a protective factor against CAH compared to use of antibiotic-coated catheters (OR = 0.55, P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis showed age, multiagent therapy, and thrombocytopenia were significantly associated with increased mortality., Conclusions: There was increased risk of CAH after EVD placement in patients taking more than one AC/AP agent regardless of presenting pathology. In particular, use of aspirin and clopidogrel combined was associated with significantly higher odds of CAH, although it was not associated with higher mortality. In addition, there appears to be an association between use of antibiotic-coated catheters and CAH across univariate and multivariate analysis., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To study the impact of early in comparison to late catheter removal following acute urine retention (AUR) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using silodosin therapy on the outcome of trial without catheter (TWOC)., Methods: Two hundred sixty patients with AUR 2ry to BPH were catheterized then were randomly divided to receive silodosin 8 mg either for three or 7 days followed by catheter removal and successful voiding unaided was assessed., Results: Out of the 260 men (mean age 64.8 ± 6.5 years) treated, 74 men who were receiving 3 days of silodosin and 88 patients who were receiving 7 days of silodosin didn't require re-catheterization on the day of TWOC (57% and 68% respectively, p  = 0.096). Complications like urinary leakage, acute urinary tract infection, hematuria, or catheter blockage recorded in 21 men (16.2%) who received 3 days of silodosin, and in 63 men (48.5%) who received 7 days of silodosin ( p  ⩽ 0.001)., Conclusion: Patients catheterized after AUR 2ry to BPH can spontaneously void following catheter removal if treated by silodosin, independent of the catheterization duration, while side effects have increased with prolonged catheterization., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective:  To summarize characteristics, complications, and success rates of different catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) protocols for the treatment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LE-DVT)., Methods:  A systematic review using electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science) was performed to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies related to LE-DVT treated with CDT. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed to obtain the pooled proportions of early complications, postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), and venous patency., Results:  Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria reporting 49 protocols ( n  = 3,028 participants). In studies that addressed the thrombus location ( n  = 37), LE-DVT had iliofemoral involvement in 90 ± 23% of the cases. Only four series described CDT as the sole intervention for LE-DVT, while 47% received additional thrombectomy (manual, surgical, aspiration, or pharmacomechanical), and 89% used stenting.Definition of venogram success was highly variable, being the Venous Registry Index the most used method ( n  = 19). Among those, the minimal thrombolysis rate (<50% lysed thrombus) was 0 to 53%, partial thrombolysis (50-90% lysis) was 10 to 71%, and complete thrombolysis (90-100%) was 0 to 88%. Pooled outcomes were 8.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6-10.7) for minor bleeding, 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.7%) for major bleeding, 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6-1.6) for pulmonary embolism, and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3-0.9) for death. Pooled incidences of PTS and of venous patency at up to 1 year of follow-up were 17.6% (95% CI: 11.8-23.4) and 77.5% (95% CI: 68.1-86.9), respectively., Conclusion:  Assessment of the evidence is hampered by the heterogeneity of protocols, which may be reflected in the variation of PTS rates. Despite this, CDT is a low-risk treatment for LE-DVT., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the main complication associated with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and are facilitated by post-void residual urine and trauma to the mucosa during voiding. The risk of UTI may be diminished by reducing the residual volumes and preventing microtrauma caused by mucosal suction through the eyelets of conventional eyelet catheters (CEC). A new micro-hole zone catheter (MHZC) was developed and tested in an ex vivo porcine lower urinary tract model and in vivo, in pigs, against a CEC. It was shown that, irrespective of the micro-hole diameter, the new catheter ensured increased flowrates and significantly lower residual volumes at the first flow-stop. Furthermore, with a micro-hole diameter of 0.4 mm, mucosal suction was virtually eliminated, regardless of the insertion depth or simulated intra-abdominal pressure mimicking sitting or standing humans. Pressure profile experiments and endoscopy studies indicated that the bladder gradually folds against the drainage tip of the new catheter, without blocking the flow, and, unlike with the CEC, sharp pressure variations and flow-stops did not occur during voiding. The MHZC outperformed the CEC in all tested scenarios and decreased residual volumes, thus potentially decreasing the risk of UTIs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: Neuronavigation is a useful adjunct for catheter placement during neurosurgical procedures for hydrocephalus or ventricular access. MRI protocols for navigation are lengthy and require sedation for young children. CT involves ionizing radiation. In this study, the authors introduce the clinical application of a 1-minute rapid MRI sequence that does not require sedation in young children and report their preliminary clinical experience using this technique in their pediatric population., Methods: All patients who underwent ventricular catheter placement at a children's hospital using a rapid noncontrast MRI protocol, standard MRI, or head CT from July 2021 to August 2023 were included. Type of procedure, etiology of hydrocephalus, ventricle configuration and size, morphology of ventricles, need for adjunctive intraoperative ultrasound, duration of procedure, accuracy of catheter placement, and need for proximal revision within 90 days were retrospectively recorded and compared across imaging modalities., Results: Sixty-eight patients underwent 83 procedures: 21 underwent CT navigation, 29 standard MRI, and 33 rapid MRI. Patients who received standard MRI more often had tumor etiology, while those who underwent CT and rapid MRI had posthemorrhagic etiology (χ2 = 13.04, p = 0.042). Intraoperative ultrasound was required for 1 patient in the standard MRI group and 1 patient in the CT group. There was no difference in procedure time across groups (p = 0.831). On multivariable analysis, procedure time differed by procedure type, where external ventricular drain placement and proximal revision were faster (p < 0.001 and p < 0.028, respectively). Proximal revision due to obstruction within 90 days occurred in 3 cases (in the same patient with complex loculated hydrocephalus) in the rapid MRI group and 2 cases in the CT group., Conclusions: Although this study was not powered for statistical inference, the authors report on the clinical use of a 1-minute rapid MRI sequence for neuronavigation in hydrocephalus or ventricular access surgery. There were no instances in which intraoperative ultrasound was required as an adjunct for procedures navigated with rapid MRI, and intraoperative time did not differ from that of standard navigation protocols.

Aim: To prove the superiority of the electromagnetic (EM) neuronavigation technique to increase the accuracy of intraventicular shunt catheter placement, and to reduce accompanying complications., Material and Methods: A total of 21 patients with hydrocephalus [age range (years): 53-84] were studied. All of them had undergone thin-slice, navigation-compatible, computed tomography (CT) preoperatively. Shunt surgery was performed under the guidance of EM neuronavigation technology. All patients underwent follow-up CT the next day to evaluate catheter tip placement and were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months., Results: All catheter tips were placed properly in front of the foramen of Monro in the desired position, except in one case in which the tip migrated to the perimesencephalic cistern and underwent reoperation in the early postoperative period. No complications due to infection and obstruction were observed in the medium- and long-term follow-ups. The complication rate due to the incorrect catheter positioning was 4.76% of the total cases., Conclusion: The placement of the ventricular catheter under EM-guided navigation technology reduces the proximal-end failure caused by malpositioning, obstruction, and infection.

Background: Despite the ubiquitous utilization of central venous catheters in clinical practice, their use commonly provokes thromboembolism. No prophylactic strategy has shown sufficient efficacy to justify routine use. Coagulation factors FXI (factor XI) and FXII (factor XII) represent novel targets for device-associated thrombosis, which may mitigate bleeding risk. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an anti-FXI mAb (monoclonal antibody), gruticibart (AB023), in a prospective, single-arm study of patients with cancer receiving central line placement., Methods: We enrolled ambulatory cancer patients undergoing central line placement to receive a single dose of gruticibart (2 mg/kg) administered through the venous catheter within 24 hours of placement and a follow-up surveillance ultrasound at day 14 for evaluation of catheter thrombosis. A parallel, noninterventional study was used as a comparator., Results: In total, 22 subjects (n=11 per study) were enrolled. The overall incidence of catheter-associated thrombosis was 12.5% in the interventional study and 40.0% in the control study. The anti-FXI mAb, gruticibart, significantly prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time in all subjects on day 14 compared with baseline ( P <0.001). Gruticibart was well tolerated and without infusion reactions, drug-related adverse events, or clinically relevant bleeding. Platelet flow cytometry demonstrated no difference in platelet activation following administration of gruticibart. T (thrombin)-AT (antithrombin) and activated FXI-AT complexes increased following central line placement in the control study, which was not demonstrated in our intervention study. CRP (C-reactive protein) did not significantly increase on day 14 in those who received gruticibart, but it did significantly increase in the noninterventional study., Conclusions: FXI inhibition with gruticibart was well tolerated without any significant adverse or bleeding-related events and resulted in a lower incidence of catheter-associated thrombosis on surveillance ultrasound compared with the published literature and our internal control study. These findings suggest that targeting FXI could represent a safe intervention to prevent catheter thrombosis., Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04465760., Competing Interests: Disclosures J.J. Shatzel reports receiving consulting fees from Aronora, Inc. C.U. Lorentz, E.I. Tucker, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have a financial interest in Aronora, Inc, a company that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential conflict of interest has been reviewed and managed by OHSU. The other authors report no conflicts.

Studies suggest that central venous catheter bloodstream infections (BSIs) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated catheter-related BSIs in Switzerland and found peripheral venous catheter (PVC) BSI incidence increased during 2021-2022 compared with 2020. These findings should raise awareness of PVC-associated BSIs and prompt inclusion of PVC BSIs in surveillance systems.

Objective: Internal nasal valve dysfunction is a prevalent cause of nasal obstruction. This systematic review, along with a Meta-analysis, evaluated the efficacy of temperature-controlled radiofrequency device (RFD) treatment in alleviating nasal obstruction by rectifying nasal valve collapse., Data Sources: A comprehensive review of studies retrieved from PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases (up to December 2022) was conducted., Review Methods: We included studies that evaluated the quality of life and nasal obstruction scores before and after RFD treatment. In addition, sham-controlled studies were analyzed., Results: In total, 451 patients across 8 studies were included in the analysis. Patients who underwent RFD treatment reported a significantly enhanced quality of life 24 months after treatment compared to pretreatment scores. The rates of clinically improved states and positive responses regarding quality of life after treatment were 82% and 91%, respectively. Moreover, the disease-specific quality of life, as assessed by the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score, significantly improved., Conclusion: RFD may help improve nasal obstruction symptoms. Further randomized clinical studies on larger cohorts are essential to substantiate its efficacy in enhancing nasal valve function., (© 2023 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.)

Objective: The incidence of scrotal migration of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) catheter is rare and may lead to life-threatening visceral complications. Management requires prompt removal of the migrated portion of the shunt and closure of the scrotal sac. We report an interesting case of a young child who presented with asymptomatic unilateral swelling of his scrotum secondary to a migrated VPS catheter. A repeat X-ray prior to his surgery to remove the migrated catheter showed that the entire length of the distal VPS catheter was back in the peritoneal cavity. In view of this unusual phenomenon, the case is discussed in corroboration with published literature., Methods and Results: A systematic search of publications in the English language is performed in PubMed and Google Scholar. Our findings show that there are 49 reported cases (including our patient) of scrotal migration of shunt catheters in patients less than 18 years old. There is only 1 other case of spontaneous resolution of shunt catheter from the scrotum. Favoured management of choice is repositioning the distal shunt catheter back into the peritoneal cavity and herniotomy in the same setting, if possible. Overall, the literature suggests this is a shunt-related complication that has a good prognosis if intervention is timely., Conclusion: Scrotal migration of a VPS catheter is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication in children. Our case report highlights the role of updated preoperative imaging and the need for consistent long-term shunt surveillance in children., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects >350,000 patients each year in the United States. Contemporary rehospitalization rates and predictors of acute DVT have not been well-characterized. We aimed to evaluate the all-cause 30-day readmission rate and its association with catheter-directed thrombolysis and vena cava filters in patients with proximal and caval DVT., Methods: Patients with an index hospitalization for acute proximal lower extremity DVT were evaluated for unplanned readmission rates at 30 days using the Nationwide Readmission Database from 2016 to 2017. We used Cox proportional hazard model to determine the predictors of 30-day readmissions and their association with inferior vena cava (IVC) filter and CDT use., Results: We identified 58,306 adult patients with an index hospitalization for acute proximal DVT. The unplanned 30-day rehospitalization rate was 14.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5-15.0%). There were 4995 patients (10.0%) who underwent CDT and 6085 (12.2%) who underwent IVC filter placement. In multivariable analysis, only CDT was associated with a lower hazard for rehospitalization (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.84; P < .001), whereas IVC filter placement (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.19-1.34; P < .001), Charlson Comorbidity Index of >3 (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.38-1.56; P < .001), malignancy (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.34-1.57; P < .001), and length of stay >5 days (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.33-1.46; P < .001), and acute kidney injury (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25; P < .001) were associated with higher readmission rates., Conclusions: The 30-day unplanned rehospitalization rate continues to be high in patients with acute proximal DVT. CDT was associated with lower rehospitalization rates, whereas IVC filter placement was associated with increased rehospitalization rates., Competing Interests: Disclosures R.B. has equity interest in Thrombolex Inc. B.B. reports that he is a consulting expert, on behalf of the plaintiff, for litigation related to specific brand models of IVC filters. A.J.C. is an unpaid member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Thrombolex, Inc. I.S., B.Z., M.Z., V.L., and H.Z. report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Evidence for the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) between a basket catheter and a balloon catheter for endoscopic common bile duct stone (CBDS) removal is lacking. This study aimed to compare ERCP outcomes using a basket catheter and a balloon catheter for endoscopic CBDS removal., Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 904 consecutive patients with native papilla who underwent endoscopic stone removal for CBDS ≤10 mm using a basket catheter and/or a balloon catheter at three institutions in Japan. ERCP outcomes between the basket and balloon groups were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method., Results: ERCP-related adverse events occurred in 6.5% (29/449) and 7.7% (35/455) of patients in the basket and balloon groups, respectively (IPTW-adjusted p = 0.52). The incidences of post-ERCP pancreatitis, cholangitis, and perforation were similar in the basket and balloon groups (3.8% vs. 2.9%, 1.3% vs. 0.9%, and 0.7% vs. 0.7%, respectively). However, bleeding incidences were significantly higher in the balloon group than in the basket group (3.3% vs. 0.7%, IPTW-adjusted p = 0.012). Successful complete stone removal at one ERCP session using a single catheter was achieved in 17.8% (80/449) in the basket group and in 81.3% (370/455) in the balloon group (IPTW-adjusted p &lt; 0.001)., Discussion: A balloon catheter is more likely to complete stone extraction for CBDS ≤10 mm with a single catheter at one endoscopic stone removal session. However, the risk for post-ERCP bleeding is higher in the balloon group than in the basket group., (© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of pharmacomechanical thrombolysis and thrombectomy (PCDT) plus catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) vs CDT alone for the treatment of acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and summarize the clinical experience, safety outcomes, and short- and long-term efficacy., Methods: We performed a 4-year retrospective, case-control study. A total of 95 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a symptom duration of ≤7 days involving the iliac and/or common femoral veins underwent endovascular interventions. The patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical indications: PCDT plus CDT vs CDT alone. Statistical analyses were used to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between the two groups. Additionally, the patients were followed up for 3 to 36 months after treatment, and the proportions of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and moderate to severe PTS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method., Results: A total of 95 consecutive patients were analyzed in this retrospective study, of whom, 51 underwent CDT alone and 44 underwent PCDT plus CDT. Between the two groups, in terms of immediate-term efficacy and safety, significant differences were found in the catheter retention time (60.64 ± 12.04 hours vs 19.42 ± 4.04 hours; P < .001), dosages of urokinase required (5.82 ± 0.81 million units vs 1.80 ± 0.64 million units; P < .001), the detumescence rate at 24 hours postoperatively (48.46% ± 8.62% vs 76.79% ± 7.98%; P = .026), the descent velocity of D-dimer per day (2266.28 ± 1358.26 μg/L/D vs 3842.34 ± 2048.02 μg/L/D; P = .018), total hospitalization stay (6.2 ± 1.40 days vs 3.8 ± 0.70 days; P = .024), number of postoperative angiograms (2.4 ± 0.80 vs 1.2 ± 0.30; P = .042), and grade III venous patency (>95% lysis: 54.5% vs 68.6%; P = .047). Furthermore, during the follow-up period, significant differences were found in the incidence of PTS (Villalta scale ≥5 or a venous ulcer: 47.0% vs 27.7%; P = .037), and the incidence proportion of moderate to severe PTS at 12 months (15.7% vs 4.5%; P = .024) and 24 months (35.3% vs 11.4%; P = .016)., Conclusions: Compared with CDT alone, in the iliofemoral DVT subgroup with a symptom duration of ≤7 days, PCDT plus CDT could significantly relieve early leg symptoms, shorten the hospitalization stay, reduce bleeding complications, promote long-term venous patency, and decrease the occurrence of PTS and the incidence proportion of moderate to severe PTS. Thus, the short- and long-term outcomes both support the superiority of PCDT plus CDT vs CDT in this subgroup., Competing Interests: Disclosures None., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In-stent restenosis (ISR) after percutaneous coronary intervention is a major reason for limited long-term patency due to complex neointimal proliferation caused by vascular injury. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) has been developed to treat various cardiovascular diseases including ISR by providing anti-proliferative drugs into blood vessel tissues. However, a significant proportion of the drug is lost during balloon tracking, resulting in ineffective drug delivery to the target region. In this study, we report an everolimus-coated balloon (ECB) using everolimus-loaded gelatin-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid microgel (GM) with enhanced everolimus delivery to vascular walls for long-term patency. GM with high drug loading (> 97%) was simply prepared by homogenizing enzyme-mediated crosslinked hydrogels. The optimal condition to prepare GM-coated ECB (GM-ECB) was established by changing homogenization time and ethanol solvent concentration (30 ∼ 80%). In vitro sustained everolimus release for 30 d, and cellular efficacy using smooth muscle cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. Additionally, an in vivo drug transfer levels of GM-ECB using rabbit femoral arteries were assessed with reduced drug loss and efficient drug delivery capability. Finally, using ISR-induced porcine models, effective in vivo vascular patency 4 weeks after treatment of ECBs was also confirmed. Thus, this study strongly demonstrates that GM can be used as a potential drug delivery platform for DCB application. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We report an ECB using everolimus-loaded GM prepared by homogenization of enzymatic cross-linked hydrogel. GM showed efficient drug loading (> 97 %) and controllable size. GM-ECB exhibited potential to deliver everolimus in a sustained manner to target area with drug efficacy and viability against SMC and EC. Although GM-ECB had much lower drug content compared to controls, animal study demonstrated enhanced drug transfer and reduced drug loss of GM-ECB due to the protection of encapsulated drugs by GM, and the possible interaction between GM and endothelium. Finally, vascular patency and safety were assessed using ISR-induced porcine models. We suggest an advanced DCB strategy to alleviate rapid drug clearance by bloodstream while improving drug delivery for a long-term vascular patency., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) plays a significant role especially in the diagnosis and decompression of bile duct obstruction. However, it is associated with complications such as hemobilia, occlusion of drainage, bile leakage, and even bronchobiliary fistula (BBF)., Patient Concerns and Diagnoses: We herein describe a patient with a complication of BBF caused by long-term indwelling PTBD catheters. She underwent multiple operations including bilioenteric anastomosis, hepatic left lateral lobectomy, and long-term PTBD treatment. Her symptoms were mainly cough, fever, and yellow sputum and her diagnosis was confirmed by sputum culture (bilirubin detection was positive)., Interventions and Outcomes: The patient recovered uneventfully by minimally invasive treatment, was discharged after 1 week of hospitalization, and the drainage tube was removed 2 weeks later. During 2 years of follow-up, no recurrence of BBF was observed., Lessons: Patients with long-term indwelling PTBD catheters for biliary tract obstruction may lead to BBF. The treatment plan of BBF is tailored to the patient's individualized characteristics. And minimally invasive treatments might be an effective alternate way for the treatment of BBF. The accurate diagnosis, precision treatment, and multidisciplinary team play important roles in the treatment of BBF., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Purpose: Phlebitis is a common complication in palliative patients. There are limited nursing practices in phlebitis care. The study was conducted to determine the effect of warm moist compresses in patients with peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis., Methods: 70 patients (35 control and 35 experimental) with phlebitis symptoms who were hospitalized in the palliative clinic of a training and research hospital were recruited for the study. The phlebitis site of the patients in the control and experimental groups were followed for three days. While the control group received routine nursing care, the experimental group received a warm moist compresses at 28 °C for 15 min three times a day for three days in addition to routine nursing care., Results: According to the results, there was a decrease in the initial and final phlebitis grades between the control and experimental groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.957, p = 0.078). In the final evaluation of the phlebitis site, a statistically significant difference was observed in redness, edema width, and pain intensity between the control and experimental groups in favor of the experimental group (p˂0.001, p = 0.006, p˂0.001, respectively)., Conclusions: It was determined that applying warm water compresses three times a day in phlebitis care had a positive effect on healing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no economic, personal or any other type of conflicts of interest that could have influenced the work carried out., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Lumbar epidural analgesia is the gold standard for labor pain control. However, misplacement of epidural catheters into the subdural space may inadvertently happen. Unrecognized subdural administration of local anesthetics could result in serious consequences, including high spinal and brainstem blocks. This case report describes a case where subdural epidural catheter placement was recognized early but labor pain was adequately managed by dosage titration of subdural analgesia., Patient Concerns: This case report describes a 29-year-old primiparous pregnant woman who was admitted to our obstetric unit for labor induction at the gestational age of 38 weeks. An epidural catheter was inserted via the L2-3 intervertebral space using the standard loss of resistance to air technique., Diagnoses: The parturient experienced weakness in the lower extremities and numbness in the upper extremities within 15 minutes after administration of 5 mL of 2% v/v lidocaine as a loading dose and systolic blood pressure also dropped by 25%., Interventions: The dose regimen (a mixture of 0.1% ropivacaine and 4 μg/mL fentanyl) for patient-controlled analgesia was given with bolus doses of 0.1 mL per demand and lockout intervals of 20 minutes. The analgesic effects were adequately maintained below the T8 dermatome for more than 12 hours without hypotensive episodes or obvious signs of neurological deficits. Computed tomographic myelography was performed by instillation of a nonionic iodinated contrast medium via the epidural catheter on postpartum day 2 for imaging confirmation of catheter placement in the extradural space., Lessons: Early recognition that epidural catheters for neuraxial analgesia have been inserted into the subdural space is important for the prevention of high spinal blocks. Subdural analgesia could still be achieved by careful clinical assessment and titration of low analgesic doses. This report also presents important and clear serial computed tomographic images of catheter placement in the thoracic-lumbar subdural spaces and the extent of volume spread in the subdural space following administration of contrast medium., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Prior studies suggest similar efficacy between large-bore chest tube (CT) placement and small-bore pigtail catheter (PC) placement for the treatment of pleural space processes. This study examined reintervention rates of CT and PC in patients with pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pleural effusion., Methods: This retrospective study examined patients from September 2015 through December 2020. Patients were identified using ICD codes for pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pleural effusion. Use of a pigtail catheter (≤14Fr) or surgical chest tube (≥20Fr) was noted. The primary outcome was overall reintervention rate within 30 days of tube insertion. Patients who died with a pleural drainage catheter in place, unrelated to complications from chest tube placement, were excluded., Results: There were 1032 total patients in the study: 706 CT patients and 326 PC patients. The PC group was older with more comorbidities and more likely to have effusion as the indication for pleural drainage. Patients with PC were 2.35 times more likely to have the tube replaced or repositioned ( P < .0001), 1.77 times more likely to require any reintervention ( P = .001) and 2.09 times more likely to remain in the hospital >14 days ( P < .0001) compared to patients with CT., Conclusion: PCs have a significantly higher reintervention rate compared to CT for the treatment of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pleural effusion. Although PC are believed to cause less pain and tissue trauma, they do not necessarily drain the pleural space as well as CT. Decisions on which method of draining the chest should be made on a case-by-case basis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.