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Introduction and Hypothesis: This study was aimed at exploring the immediate impacts of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) on various maternal physiological parameters in pregnant women. Methods: The study included a total of 52 women, 26 pregnant (Pregnant group: 28.04±6.01 years; 26.83±3.81 kg/m2) and 26 nonpregnant (Control group: 29.42±5.73 years; 25.41±3.03 kg/m2) individuals. All women received PFME as follows: PFME was performed for 5 min (6-s holding contraction, 10 s of relaxation, 3 rapid PFM contractions). Evaluations were conducted before, immediately after, and 5 min post-exercise, with measurements including inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters and pulsatility index, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rates. Two-way analysis of variance was performed for group and time comparisons in repeated measurements. Results: In both groups, the IVC collapsibility index values were lower 5 min after exercise, although this decrease, although clinically significant, did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.057). Post-exercise systolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both groups, whereas diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the pregnant group (p = 0.001, p = 0.023). Conclusions: The study found no statistically significant changes in the collapsibility index of the IVC after PFME but observed a clinically suggestive decrease. The clinical decrease in the collapsibility index can be interpreted as PFME in the supine position increasing venous return. Additionally, PFME was found not to alter maternal and fetal heart rates but contributed to the decrease in maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Our study supports the view that the acute effects of PFME neither induce fetal stress nor pose maternal risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: LMS of IVC needs a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical excision with free margin is the cornerstone of management. Upon case‐by‐case selection, adjuvant chemotherapy may play a role in better oncologic outcome. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare form of mesenchymal origin malignancy with less than 400 cases reported to date. Surgery is the mainstay of management but it requires vast experience in vascular and visceral surgery to attain a free tumor margin. Subsequent adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiation remains as an area of gray zone. We report the case of a 61‐year‐old man with an 8‐month history of abdominal pain. Upon physical examination, an ill‐defined mass over the right side of the lower abdomen and bilateral lower extremity edema were detected. Abdominal ultrasound with Doppler revealed a right‐side retroperitoneal mass invading the IVC with extensive venous thrombosis for which anticoagulation was initiated. Computed Tomography of the abdomen revealed a huge heterogeneously enhancing mass involving the whole length of the infrarenal IVC obstructing the IVC lumen with collateral veins draining through the paralumbar veins and inferior epigastric veins bilaterally. With a top differential of primary IVC LMS, a midline longitudinal laparotomy was performed with an intraoperative finding of a tumor arising from the infra‐renal IVC which was excised. Gore‐Tex graft was used to reconstruct the IVC. There was an injury to the right common iliac artery and it was repaired by end‐to‐end anastomosis. Histopathology confirmed a high‐grade LMS of the IVC and surgical margin status was unknown. He was given adjuvant Chemotherapy consisting of Doxorubicin and Dacarbazine. He has been on follow‐up at the Oncology side with a good performance status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Obstetrics inferior vena cava agenesis, collateral system, risk of deep venous thrombosis, norepinephrine increases stressed volume. Agenesis of inferior vena cava (AIVC) is an extremely rare congenital abnormality. In AIVC, venous flow from the lower extremities enter superior vena cava mainly through the azygous and hemiazygous system, forming anastomotic collateral vessels. A global increase in intra-abdominal pressure by the gravid uterus may further stress the collateral system, increase venous stasis and decrease venous return. We present the management of a 37-year old pregnant woman with AIVC who underwent caesarean section with norepinephrine infusion and general anaesthesia. She presented with shortness of breath when seated, episodes of dizziness while walking or sitting upright with subsequent tachycardia. Cardiac status was monitored using an arterial pulse contour CO monitor. We did not observe large fluctuations in CO, SV, MAP during induction and intubation as well as during delivery. We believe that administration of an infusion of norepinephrine from induction to anaesthesia through caesarean section contributed to this result. Sympathetic activation caused venoconstriction, which significantly increased venous return and maintained haemodynamic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common kidney tumor in pediatric patients. Intravascular extension of WT above the level of the renal veins is a rare manifestation that complicates surgical management. Patients with intravascular extension are frequently asymptomatic at diagnosis, and tumor thrombus extension is usually diagnosed by imaging. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is indicated for thrombus extension above the level of the hepatic veins and often leads to thrombus regression, obviating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass in cases of cardiac thrombus at diagnosis. In cases of tumor extension to the retrohepatic cava, neoadjuvant therapy is not strictly indicated, but it may facilitate the regression of tumor thrombi, making resection safer. Hepatic vascular isolation and cardiopulmonary bypass increase the risk of bleeding and other complications when utilized for tumor thrombectomy. Fortunately, WT patients with vena caval with or with intracardiac extension have similar overall and event-free survival when compared to patients with WT without intravascular extension when thrombectomy is successfully performed. Still, patients with metastatic disease at presentation or unfavorable histology suffer relatively poor outcomes. Dedicated pediatric surgical oncology and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery teams, in conjunction with multimodal therapy directed by a multidisciplinary team, are preferred for optimized outcomes in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) without local invasion is generally considered benign. However, it may extend to the renal sinus, even the renal vein, or the inferior vena cava (IVC). In patients with non-tuberous sclerosis complex, coexistence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal AML is uncommon. Case presentation: A 72-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a solitary right renal mass with an IVC thrombus extending into the right atrium during a routine health checkup. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were successfully performed through adequate preoperative examination and preparation. Two tumor lesions were found and pathologically confirmed as renal AML and RCC, and the tumor thrombus was derived from the renal AML. During the one-year follow-up period, no signs of recurrence or metastatic disease were observed. Conclusions: Renal AML with a tumor thrombus in the IVC and right atrium accompanied by RCC may occur, although rarely. In clinical practice, if preoperative manifestations differ from those of common diseases, rare diseases must be considered to avoid missed diagnoses. In addition, adequate examination and multidisciplinary discussions before making a diagnosis are necessary. For a level 4 tumor thrombus with no infringement of the venous wall, adoption of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, without extracorporeal circulation technology, is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventional valve implantation into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) lowers venous congestion in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We evaluated the impact of a reduction of abdominal venous congestion following CAVI on circulating immune cells and inflammatory mediators. Methods: Patients with severe TR were randomized to optimal medical therapy (OMT) + CAVI (n = 8) or OMT (n = 10). In the OMT + CAVI group, an Edwards Sapien XT valve was implanted into the inferior vena cava. Immune cells and inflammatory mediators were measured in the peripheral blood at baseline and three-month follow-up. Results: Leukocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, B, T and natural killer cells and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, -4, -5, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) did not change substantially between baseline and three-month follow-up within the OMT + CAVI and OMT group. Conclusion: The present data suggest that reduction of venous congestion following OMT + CAVI may not lead to substantial changes in systemic inflammation within a short-term follow-up. Clinical trial registration: NCT02387697 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), including hypertensive LVH, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA), is a commonly encountered condition in cardiology practice, presenting challenges in differential diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the importance of echocardiographic evaluation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in distinguishing LVH subtypes including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with common causes of LVH including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA were included. The role of echocardiographic evaluation of IVC diameter and collapsibility in distinguishing these causes of LVH was assessed in conjunction with other echocardiographic, clinical, and imaging methods. Results: A total of 211 patients (45% HCM, 43% hypertensive heart disease, and 12% CA) were included in our study. Their mean age was 56.6 years and 62% of them were male. While mean IVC diameter was significantly dilated in CA patients (13.4 mm in hypertensive LVH, 16.0 mm in HCM, and 21.1 mm in CA, p <.001), its collapsibility was reduced (IVC collapsible in 95% of hypertensive patients, 72% of HCM patients, and 12% of CA patients, p <.001). In the analysis of diagnostic probabilities, the presence of both hypovoltage and IVC dilation is significant for CA patients. Although it is not statistically significant, the presence of IVC dilation along with atrial fibrillation supports the diagnosis of HCM. Conclusion: In conclusion, although advances in imaging techniques facilitate the diagnosis of LVH, simple echocardiographic methods should never be overlooked. Our study supports the notion that IVC assessment could play an important role in the differential diagnosis of LVH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined thrombophilia represents 7.8– 8.3% of the patients with thrombophilia and confers a higher risk for thrombosis development and recurrence. Here, we present a 17-year-old boy carrier of three congenital thrombophilias, two severe (type I antithrombin deficiency and type I protein S deficiency) and one prothrombotic polymorphism (prothrombin G20210A), all in heterozygosis. He developed an extensive deep venous thrombosis in lower left limb, reaching proximal inferior vena cava and contralateral iliac vein, in the setting of prolonged rest. Endovascular therapy with local thrombolytic agent infusion followed by mechanical thrombectomy was performed, achieving a favorable clinical and radiological evolution. Antithrombin replacement to achieve levels between 80% and 120% with heparin administration was used during the endovascular procedure. The patient is currently asymptomatic and maintains indefinite anticoagulation with warfarin, keeping an appropriate anticoagulation range (international normalized range between 2.5 and 3.5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether a new strategy for the choice of inferior vena cava filter placed would improve filter retrieval rates at our institution. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent retrievable filter placement for temporary embolic protection between January 2021 and January 2023 were considered for study inclusion. Risk factors for nonretrieval of short-term filters were identified in patients receiving filters between January 2021 and January 2022 (prestrategy group). For patients treated between February 2022 and January 2023 (poststrategy group), a long-term filter was recommended for those with these risk factors, and a short-term filter was recommended for those without these risk factors. Results: The study population included 303 patients (prestrategy group, n = 154; poststrategy group, n = 149). Long-term immobilization (odds ratio [OR] = 38.000; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.858-210.564), active cancer (OR = 17.643; 95% CI: 5.462–56.993), and venous thromboembolism detected in the intensive care unit (OR = 28.500; 95% CI: 7.419-109.477) were identified as independent risk factors for nonretrieval of short-term filters. The total retrieval rate was significantly higher in the poststrategy group (87.2%) than in the prestrategy group (72.7%; P = 0.002); the short-term filter retrieval rate was also significantly higher in the poststrategy group (84.5%) than in the prestrategy group (68.5%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The proposed strategy for filter choice based on risk factors for short-term filter nonretrieval can accurately identify patients who need long-term filter placement while also increasing the retrieval rates for both short-term filters retrieval rates and overall retrieval rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fluid overload leads to increased mortality in critically ill patients and patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recently, sonography has been used for assessing fluid overload. In the present study, it was aimed to compare the relationship between lung ultrasonography (LUS) and inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements with each other and with the amount of ultrafiltration (UF) in the evaluation of fluid burden among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and UF. Methods: The assessments of the lung and IVC were conducted sonographically both before and after HD three times a week. The lung was evaluated in a total of 12 zones using the LUS scoring system. Inferior vena cava was also examined subcostally, and as well as the collapsibility index, the minimum and maximum diameters of IVC were calculated. Results: The study was composed of 40 patients. After HD, a decrease was observed in the total LUS score, the anterolateral LUS score, and the diameters of IVC. A weak-to-moderate correlation was found between the reduction in total LUS score and the UF (r= +0.387, p=0.014), as well as the decrease between the anterolateral LUS score and the UF (r=+0.321, p=0.022). However, no correlation was found between the IVC measurements and UF. The average amount of UF was found to be 2410 mL. Conclusion: This study observed a decrease in LUS scores and IVC measurements post-hemodialysis compared to pre-dialysis values. While LUS scores correlated with UF, no correlation was found with IVC diameters. This suggests that, although effective in assessing fluid overload, IVC measurements may not adequately evaluate rapid reductions in fluid volume. Additionally, examining the total or anterolateral lung regions proves beneficial for assessing pulmonary congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing for volume overload is a key component of both short and long-term management of heart failure patients. Physical examination findings are neither sensitive nor specific for detecting congestion, and subclinical congestion may not be evident at the time of examination. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is an efficient and non-invasive way to assess heart failure patients for volume overload. The aim of our narrative review is to summarize how each of the following ultrasound modalities can be used to assess for congestion in the heart failure population: 2D and Doppler echocardiography, lung ultrasound, inferior vena cava ultrasound, internal jugular vein ultrasound, and venous excess grading. While each of these modalities has their limitations, their use in the acute and outpatient space offers the potential to reduce heart failure readmissions and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The establishment of pneumoperitoneum has impacts on patient's cardiovascular function. In this study, the respiratory variation of inferior vena cava (IVC), stroke volume (SV) index, and other parameters was monitored to determine how the pneumoperitoneum affects the patient's hemodynamic and acknowledge how to resolve it. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients were randomly divided into Group A (8 mmHg), Group B (10 mmHg), Group C (12 mmHg), Group D (14 mmHg), and Group E (12 mmHg, infusion with 7 mL/kg crystalloid solution). The parameters including IVC variability, SV index, mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output index (CI), and airway pressure were measured, to compare the changes before and after pneumoperitoneum. Results: Among Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D, there were no significant differences in patients' prepneumoperitoneum information. Compare with prepneumoperitoneum, the difference in IVC variability, SV index, MAP, HR, CI, and airway pressure was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the establishment of pneumoperitoneum, the difference in IVC variability, SV index, and airway pressure among Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compare with Group C, the change rates of IVC variability, SV index, MAP, HR, and CI were smaller in Group E (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The establishment of pneumoperitoneum could increase the patient's IVC variability and reduce SV index, and with the increase of pressure, IVC variability had an increasing trend, SV index had a decreasing trend. Fluid transfusion could reduce the relative influence of the pneumoperitoneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Anomalous drainage of inferior vena cava (IVC) into left atrium (LA) is a rare aetiology of cyanosis in adults. This condition may be associated with atrial septal defects, anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. This case report presents an instance of anomalous drainage of IVC into LA, associated with ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). It contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the diagnostic challenges associated with this anomaly, particularly during surgical intervention. Case summary A 38-year-old male presented with a six-year history of exertional dyspnoea and episodic palpitation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large secundum (ASD), the IVC draining into LA, a left superior vena cava, and mild mitral regurgitation. These findings were further confirmed by right and left heart catheterization and CT angiogram. The patient was referred to CTVS department for surgical correction. The post-operative course was uneventful. At a 1.4-year follow-up, the patient reported significant improvement in symptoms. Discussion We present a case of anomalous drainage of IVC into LA, associated with ostium secundum ASD. An ASD co-occurs with this condition in ∼70% of the reported cases. This anomaly differs from a low or inferior vena caval secundum ASD, where a prominent Eustachian valve can cause blood shunting from the IVC to LA. If the surgeon is not vigilant, this can be mistaken for the inferior ASD rim, potentially leading to iatrogenic diversion of IVC blood to LA upon ASD closure, resulting in cyanosis. This case underscores the diagnostic and surgical challenges associated with this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most elderly patients, prescribing the necessary volume of infusion therapy for the prevention of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI) requires individualization. It is considered that ultrasound examination of the inferior vena cava (IVC) can be an effective additional method of assessing volemia in this category of patients. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of infusion therapy based on ultrasound of the inferior vena cava for the prevention of AKI in geriatric patients after urgent abdominal surgery. Materials and methods. A prospective single-center study included 50 patients (74.5 (68.0; 81.0) y. o.), divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 25, infusion therapy based on ultrasound of the IVC); group B (n = 25, infusion therapy based on changes in hemodynamic parameters and diuresis). The diameter of the IVC was determined using ultrasonography (ultrasound probe CN-6, SIEMENS, Acuson Antares), hemodynamic parameters were assessed using esCOO technology (Vismo PVM-2701K monitor, Nihon Kohden, Japan). The KDIGO classification was used to determine the presence and stage of AKI. Statistical analysis was performed using the program Statistica for Windows 13 (StatSoft Inc., No. JPZ804I382130ARCN10-J). Results. The daily volume of infusion therapy in group A was 150 ml more than in group B (p = 0.049). Group A patients had 1.2 times higher CI (p = 0.016), by 6 mm Hg higher MAP (p = 0.012), 1.3 times greater SV (p < 0.001) than patients in group B. Also, they required 2 times less use of vasopressors (p = 0.026) and 2.8 times less use of diuretics (p = 0.008). Correlation between SV, CI, MAP and IVC diameter was weak but significant (r = 0.35, r = 0.25, r = 0.29, respectively, p ˂ 0.05). The incidence and severity of AKI did not differ between the study groups. In group A, the intensive care unit stay was 42 (35; 102) hours versus 80 (48; 176) hours in group B (p = 0.028) and survival rate was 88 % versus 40 %, respectively (p = 0.004). Conclusions. Infusion therapy based on ultrasound of the inferior vena cava may be effective in geriatric patients after urgent abdominal surgery in the intensive care unit. The assessment of volemia based on the determination of the maximum diameter of the IVC is a good additional criterion for the individualization of the volume of postoperative infusion therapy aimed directly at the optimization of systemic hemodynamics and indirectly at the prevention of AKI.

Filling defects within the inferior vena cava (IVC) are common findings on computed tomography (CT); nevertheless, a majority of these defects are attributed to artifacts. The documentation pertaining to pseudothrombosis specifically affecting the infrarenal vena cava is notably insufficient in current literature. The aim of this study is to present a case demonstrating a blood-contrast level in the infrarenal vena cava, resembling an intraluminal filling defect.

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare benign tumor of the kidney, often detected incidentally on radiological images as the presence of macroscopic fat characterizes them. In the majority of the cases, they are usually sporadic. Despite their benign nature, venous invasion, a rare occurrence in renal AMLs, poses management challenges. We present a case of bilateral renal AML in a 52-year-old female with a right renal vein and hepatic inferior vena cava invasion.

Abstract Background Interventional valve implantation into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) lowers venous congestion in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We evaluated the impact of a reduction of abdominal venous congestion following CAVI on circulating immune cells and inflammatory mediators. Methods Patients with severe TR were randomized to optimal medical therapy (OMT) + CAVI (n = 8) or OMT (n = 10). In the OMT + CAVI group, an Edwards Sapien XT valve was implanted into the inferior vena cava. Immune cells and inflammatory mediators were measured in the peripheral blood at baseline and three-month follow-up. Results Leukocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, B, T and natural killer cells and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, -4, -5, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) did not change substantially between baseline and three-month follow-up within the OMT + CAVI and OMT group. Conclusion The present data suggest that reduction of venous congestion following OMT + CAVI may not lead to substantial changes in systemic inflammation within a short-term follow-up. Clinical trial registration NCT02387697 Graphical Abstract

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a typically benign renal tumor that is divided into 2 classes, the classical variant and the more aggressive epithelioid variant. It is extremely rare for an AML to exhibit aggressive features such as vascular invasion. We present the case of a 36-year-old female who presented with right lower quadrant pain for 9 months and was found to have an AML with tumor extension into the renal vein and the IVC. Diagnosis was confirmed with histopathology and the patient was treated with a total nephrectomy. The epithelioid subtype of AML is a rare variant that should be considered in the differential of a renal mass with vascular invasion.

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare group of undifferentiated tumors that originate from neuroectoderm. Although the overall prognosis is poor, early diagnosis and treatment by a multidisciplinary team with multimodal therapy can improve outcomes. Therefore, we present a 22-year-old female patient with primary renal ES with tumor thrombosis up to the vena cava who had radical nephrectomy and IVC tumor thrombectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy because a preoperative percutaneous biopsy was confirmed the diagnosis.

Polysplenia syndrome is an embryological disorder whereby the usual left-right asymmetry of thoracic and abdominal viscera fails to develop. It is a rare entity, estimated to occur at a frequency of 1 in 40,000, and is often associated with cardiac and biliary abnormalities. More than 75% of patients die before the age of 5 years, and even in the absence of cardiac anomalies, only 5%-10% of patients are expected to survive into adulthood without complications. Although polysplenia syndrome encompasses a wide range of anatomic abnormalities, there is no single pathognomonic feature. Hence, the prognosis of patients with polysplenia depends on their anatomy, thus necessitating radiology in their management. Here we present a case of a 56-year-old man with polysplenia syndrome and situs inversus totalis. This presentation is atypical because polysplenia is usually considered a form of situs ambiguus, and cases with situs inversus totalis are exceedingly rare. Also noted in our patient are variations in the great vessels, including aortic arch branches and the venae cavae which are features not typically associated with either polysplenia syndrome or situs inversus totalis. The patient is healthy and asymptomatic at baseline, with his diagnosis being made incidentally. Our case report is the first to describe this unique combination of cardiothoracic and cardiovascular anatomy. It also emphasizes the importance of radiologists in caring for patients with laterality defects. As these disorders are uncommon, more data on their anatomic variations may help provide better medical care to this patient population.

Background: Accurate volume status assessment and dry weight achievement are the most challenging goals for a nephrologist. We aimed to evaluate the role of ultrasonographic parameters including lung ultrasound and inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements as practical methods of volume status assessment in children on hemodialysis by comparing them with established techniques, such as clinical evaluation and bioimpedance spectroscopy. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study compared pre- and post-dialysis volume status using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) parameters and clinical data with ultrasonographic lung B-lines and IVC parameters in children on regular hemodialysis. Results: A total 60 children (mean age 9.4 ± 2.8 years) were enrolled. Twenty patients (33.3%) were clinically overloaded to varying degrees (17 patients had mild to moderate signs of fluid overload and 3 patients had moderate to severe signs of fluid overload). All other patients (66.7%) were clinically euvolemic. Sonographic parameters were significantly lower post-dialysis than pre-dialysis, including lung B-line count and IVC diameter. IVC collapsibility index mean was significantly higher post-dialysis than pre-dialysis. There was a significant correlation between the lung B-line count, IVC parameters, and BIS-measured overhydration both before and after hemodialysis. Nine patients had ≥ 8 B-lines post-dialysis, only three of them were hypertensive. Conclusions: Clinical criteria alone are not specific for determining accurate fluid status in pediatric hemodialysis patients. Lung B-line score, IVC parameters, and BIS may be complementary to each other and to clinical data. Lung B-lines outperform IVC measurements and BIS in subclinical volume overload detection in pediatric hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the role of ultrasound-guided volume resuscitation in the treatment of severe trauma. Methods Sixty patients with severe trauma requiring surgical intervention were included and randomly assigned into the ultrasound-guided volume resuscitation group （group U， n = 30） and the empirical treatment group （group C， n = 30） using the random number table method. All patients underwent general anesthesia induction， central venous catheterization and subsequent surgery. In group U， ultrasound examination was conducted for assessing the inferior vena cava （IVC）， aortic root peak velocity variation （ΔVpeak） and time integral variation of aortic root velocity （ΔVTI） upon arrival at the operating room， after general anesthesia induction， at the end of operation and upon resuscitation， respectively. Fluid resuscitation therapy in group U was guided based on these results. In group C， patients were subjected to fluid resuscitation based on heart rate （HR）， mean arterial pressure （MAP）， central venous pressure （CVP）， fluid load test and blood gas analysis results， etc. Radial artery blood samples were collected from all patients immediately upon arrival at the OR （T0）， at 1 h （T1）， 2 h （T2）， 4 h （T3）， 6 h （T4）， and 24 h （T5） post-arrival， and lactate levels along with other blood gas analysis results were recorded accordingly. Additionally， the total amount of crystalloids and colloids administered from 0-0， lactate levels in group U exhibited an increase at T1 and T2， and followed by a return to normal levels at T4. In group C， an elevation in lactate levels was demonstrated at T1~T3， which subsequently decreased to normal levels at T5. Patients in group U displayed lower lactate levels at both T2 and T3 than those in group C. Additionally， patients in group U exhibited reduced overall usage of norepinephrine and a shorter duration of elevated lactate levels. Moreover， patients in group U received a higher volume of crystalloid fluids during the initial hour （0-P < 0.05）. However， no statistically significant differences were observed in the operation time， anesthesia duration， postoperative recovery time， extubation time， length of hospital stay， intraoperative blood loss， transfusion volume， oxygenation index， urine output or duration of hypotension between two groups （all P > 0.05）. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided volume resuscitation can be safely employed in severe trauma patients， which can reduce the total amount of transfusion， decrease the total dosage of vasoactive medications， and shorten the duration of elevated lactate levels.

Introduction We present the case of a rapidly growing inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma. Case presentation We present a case of a 66‐year‐old woman with right renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending 2 cm into the inferior vena cava on an initial Imaging. Radical surgery was performed 6 weeks after the first visit. Intraoperatively, the tumor thrombus was confirmed to have grown near the diaphragm. The tumor was resected using an inferior vena cava clamping just below the diaphragm. The tumor thrombus and renal cell carcinoma were completely removed. There was no recurrence 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion Inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma can grow in a short period, suggesting that preoperative imaging evaluation at the appropriate time is important. Once inferior vena cava tumor thrombus of renal cell carcinoma occurs, surgery should not be delayed unless there is an urgent reason.

Background & objective: Intravenous fluid therapy is a critical step in the resuscitation of patients suffering from sepsis and septic shock. Meticulous hemodynamic monitoring is necessary before as well as during the fluid therapy to avoid under-as well as over-loading the patient. An evaluation of fluid status has been suggested to be done noninvasively using the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVC-CI). We assessed the effectiveness of IVC-CI in evaluating septic patients' responses to fluid therapy at our institution. Methodology: Forty cancer patients with spontaneous breathing, who met sepsis criteria and were admitted to the intensive care unit, were included in this cross-sectional study. Over the course of three hours, the patients received crystalloids intravenously at a rate of 30 ml/kg, while CVP, ultrasonography guided IVC-CI measurement, and the vital sign monitoring was done every 30 min. Patients were divided into a responder group and a non-responder group based on a 10% change in cardiac output (CO) one hour later. IVC-CI variations in the volume responsiveness prediction served as the main outcome measure. Results: According to the change in CO one hour after starting fluid treatment, 29 patients (72.5%) were classified as fluid responsive and the remaining 11 (27.5%) as fluid non-responsive. In the two groups, HR and IVC-CI decreased significantly; whereas MAP, CVP, and CO increased significantly. ROC-curve analysis showed a percent change ≥ 3.4% of IVC-CI predicted positive responsiveness with a sensitivity of 72.4% and a specificity of 63.6%. These values were 79.3% and 72.7%, respectively, for a change ≥ 6.3% after one hour. The baseline value of IVC-CI was not predictive of responsiveness. Conclusion: In cancer patients with sepsis or septic shock, the change in inferior vena cava collapsibility index during the first hour of fluid therapy can predict fluid responsiveness with a moderate degree of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For patients with existing venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), anticoagulation remains the standard of care recommended across multiple professional organizations. However, for patients who developed a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or a pulmonary embolism and cannot tolerate anticoagulation, inferior vena cava (IVC) filters must be considered among other alternative treatments. Although placement of a filter is considered a low-risk intervention, there are important factors and techniques that surgeons and interventionalists should be aware of and prepared to discuss. This overview covers the basics regarding the history of filters, indications for placement, associated risks, and techniques for difficult removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumors of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare and usually malignant and they can be primary and secondary. The most common primary tumor of the IVC is primary leiomyosarcoma. The first case of primary IVC leiomyosarcoma has been described in 1871 [ 1 ].The total number of 218 cases has collected until 1996 [ 2 ]. After that, three large single center series of these tumors emerged [ 3 – 5 ]. Present a series of five cases of these tumors. All the patients underwent a wide complete resection of tumors and the reconstruction with Dacron grafts. One patient died 19 months after the surgery, while the remaining ones survived without a local and system disease relapse. Although a surgical resection combined with the chemotherapy is often not curative, it can achieve a significant long-term survival. For this reason, we recommend the aggressive surgical management using the modern vascular surgical and oncology techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern regarding the exponential increase in optional utilization of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in the early 2000s with a persistent low retrieval rate nationwide has resulted in increased scrutiny regarding clinical application of IVCFs. IVCFs are used in a variety of clinical scenarios, ranging from thromboembolic protection in patients with deep venous thrombosis and contraindication to anticoagulation to prophylactic deployment in multitrauma and critically ill patients. Evidence supporting IVCFs as mechanical thromboembolic protection in certain clinical scenarios has been established through evidenced-based guidelines. As an adjunct to evidence-based guidelines, appropriateness criteria to address specific clinical scenarios and facilitate clinical decision making when considering placement of an IVCF have been developed. In this review, current evidence-based and appropriateness guidelines are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoptosis and inflammation of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are the most important causes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) encodes a transcription factor that binds as a homodimer to the cAMP-responsive element and can promote inflammation. CREB1 is found to be upregulated in the plasma of patients with venous thromboembolism. However, the biological functions of CREB1 in DVT remain unknown. We evaluated the effect of CREB1 in a rat model of inferior vena cava (IVA) stenosis-induced DVT. IVC stenosis resulted in stable thrombus, inflammatory response and CREB1 upregulation, whereas CREB1 knockdown inhibited thrombus and inflammation in DVT rats. In vitro analysis showed that CREB1 knockdown inhibited VEC apoptosis. Mechanistically, CREB1 knockdown reduced Ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9) expression and blocked the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, CREB1 may become a potential therapeutic target of DVT prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Renal cell carcinoma presents a unique proclivity for vascular involvement giving rise to a peculiar form of locally advanced disease so-called tumor thrombus. To date, the only curative strategy for these cases remains surgery, which should aim to remove every vestige of macroscopic disease. Most of the preexisting literature advocates opening the vena cava to allow tumor thrombus removal and subsequent venous suture closure. However, inferior vena cava circumferential resection (cavectomy) without caval replacement is possible in the majority of cases since progressive occlusion facilitates the development of a collateral venous network aimed at maintaining cardiac preload. Recent Findings: Radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy remains a surgical challenge not exempt of operative complications even in experienced hands. In opposition to what traditional cavotomy and thrombus withdrawal can offer, circumferential cavectomy without caval replacement would provide comparable or even better oncologic control, decrease the likelihood of operative bleeding, and prevent the development of perioperative pulmonary embolism. Summary: This review focuses on the rationale of circumferential IVC resection without caval replacement and the important technical aspects of this approach in cases of renal cell carcinoma with vascular involvement. We also include an initial report on the surgical outcomes of a contemporary series of patients managed under this approach at our center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intraoperative bleeding during hepatectomy is primarily controlled through anaesthesiological interventions or surgical techniques such as Pringle maneuver (PM). Infrahepatic IVC clamping (IIVCC) is an alternative surgical technique to reduce central venous pressure and prevent retrograde hepatic venous bleeding. The aim of the meta-analysis was to compare IIVCC+PM with PM alone in terms of intraoperative outcomes and perioperative complications. Methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for comparative studies till 16.04.2024, resulting in 679 articles, of which eight studies met inclusion criteria. Data on patient demographics, surgical technique, and perioperative outcomes was assessed. Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used for risk of bias assessment. Results: Two randomized controlled trials, one prospective, and five retrospective cohort studies with 358 patients in IIVCC+PM and 397 patients in PM alone group were included. IIVCC+PM resulted in significantly greater CVP reduction, less intraoperative blood loss (MD (95% CI) = − 233.03 (− 360.48 to − 105.58), P < 0.001), and less intraoperative blood transfusion (OR (95% CI) = 0.38 (0.25 to 0.57), P < 0.001) compared to PM alone. The two groups had comparable total operative time, transection time and total intraoperative fluid infusion. Patients undergoing IIVCC+PM had significantly shorter length of stay (MD (95% CI) = − 0.63 days (− 1.21 to − 0.05 days), P = 0.03) and overall complication rates (OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.43–0.92), P = 0.02) compared to PM alone group. Conclusion: The utilization of IIVCC along with PM during liver resection may be beneficial in reducing intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion without adversely influencing operative times or perioperative outcomes compared to PM alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the role of ultrasound-guided volume resuscitation in the treatment of severe trauma. Methods Sixty patients with severe trauma requiring surgical intervention were included and randomly assigned into the ultrasoundguided volume resuscitation group (group U，n = 30) and the empirical treatment group (group C，n = 30) using the random number table method. All patients underwent general anesthesia induction, central venous catheterization and subsequent surgery. In group U, ultrasound examination was conducted for assessing the inferior vena cava (IVC), aortic root peak velocity variation (ΔVpeak) and time integral variation of aortic root velocity (ΔVTI) upon arrival at the operating room, after general anesthesia induction, at the end of operation and upon resuscitation, respectively. Fluid resuscitation therapy in group U was guided based on these results. In group C, patients were subjected to fluid resuscitation based on heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), fluid load test and blood gas analysis results, etc. Radial artery blood samples were collected from all patients immediately upon arrival at the OR (T0), at 1 h (T1), 2 h (T2), 4 h (T3), 6 h (T4), and 24 h (T5) post-arrival, and lactate levels along with other blood gas analysis results were recorded accordingly. Additionally, the total amount of crystalloids and colloids administered from 0-<1 h, 1-<2 h, 2-<4 h, 4-6 h, and 0-6 h since arrival were documented. The operation time, anesthesia duration, postoperative recovery time, extubation time, blood loss volume, urine output, duration of hypotension, duration of elevated lactate levels, length of hospital stay, ICU transfer rate, 28-d mortality rate, and the total amount of norepinephrine use were recorded. Results Compared with T0, lactate levels in group U exhibited an increase at T1 and T2, and followed by a return to normal levels at T4. In group C, an elevation in lactate levels was demonstrated at T1~T3, which subsequently decreased to normal levels at T5. Patients in group U displayed lower lactate levels at both T2 and T3 than those in group C. Additionally, patients in group U exhibited reduced overall usage of norepinephrine and a shorter duration of elevated lactate levels. Moreover, patients in group U received a higher volume of crystalloid fluids during the initial hour (0-<1 h), and lesser amounts during 2-<4 h and 4-6 h as well as overall within 0-6 h, respectively. Furthermore, compared to the group C, there was less administration of colloid fluids during 2-<4 h and overall within 0-6 h in group U (all P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the operation time, anesthesia duration, postoperative recovery time, extubation time, length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion volume, oxygenation index, urine output or duration of hypotension between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound-guided volume resuscitation can be safely employed in severe trauma patients, which can reduce the total amount of transfusion, decrease the total dosage of vasoactive medications, and shorten the duration of elevated lactate levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In clinical practice, the right heart filling status is assessed using the respirophasic variation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showing moderate correlations with the catheter‐based reference standard. Purpose: To develop and validate a similar approach using MRI. Study Type: Prospective. Population: 37 male elite cyclists (mean age 26 ± 4 years). Field Strength/Sequence: Real‐time balanced steady‐state free‐precession cine sequence at 1.5 Tesla. Assessment: Respirophasic variation included assessment of expiratory size of the upper hepatic part of the IVC and degree of inspiratory collapse expressed as collapsibility index (CI). The IVC was studied either in long‐axis direction (TTE) or using two transverse slices, separated by 30 mm (MRI) during operator‐guided deep breathing. For MRI, in addition to the TTE‐like diameter, IVC area and major and minor axis diameters were also assessed, together with the corresponding CIs. Statistical Tests: Repeated measures ANOVA test with Bonferroni correction. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis for intrareader and inter‐reader agreement. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No significant differences in expiratory IVC diameter were found between TTE and MRI, i.e., 25 ± 4 mm vs. 25 ± 3 mm (P = 0.242), but MRI showed a higher CI, i.e., 76% ± 14% vs. 66% ± 14% (P < 0.05). As the IVC presented a noncircular shape, i.e., major and minor expiratory diameter of 28 ± 4 mm and 21 ± 4 mm, respectively, the CI varied according to the orientation, i.e., 63% ± 27% vs. 75% ± 16%, respectively. Alternatively, expiratory IVC area was 4.3 ± 1.1 cm2 and showed a significantly higher CI, i.e., 86% ± 14% than diameter‐based CI (P < 0.05). All participants showed a CI >50% with MRI versus 35/37 (94%) with TTE. ICC values ranged 0.546–0.841 for MRI and 0.545–0.704 for TTE. Conclusion: Assessment of the respirophasic IVC variation is feasible with MRI. Adding this biomarker may be of particular use in evaluating heart failure patients. Level of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: By using inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements, clinicians can detect fluid status and responsiveness and find out the etiology of hypotension, acute heart failure, and sepsis easier. Pocket-sized ultrasound devices (PSUD) may take this advantage a few steps further by their lower costs, user-friendly interface, and easily applicable structure. In this study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value of a PSUD compared with a standard ultrasound device (SD) for the measurement of IVC diameter (IVCD) and its respiratory variability. Materials and methods: We measured the inspiratory, expiratory diameters of IVC, and calculated the inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI). We investigated 42 intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Results: There was no difference in inspiratory (PSUD: 1.34 ± 0.67 cm; SD: 1.35 ± 0.68 cm) and expiratory (PSUD: 1.98 ± 0.53 cm; SD: 2.01 ± 0.49 cm) IVCD among measurements with PSUD and SD (p > 0.05). There was also no difference between IVCCI's measured with PSUD (39 ± 20%) and SD (39 ± 20%) (p > 0.05). The Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the width of 95% limits of agreement were similar for both devices. There was a good inter-device agreement among PSUD and SD for measurements of IVCD, and there was no difference between IVCCI's measured using both ultrasound devices. Conclusion: We support that the idea of a PSUD is as reliable as a SD for IVC measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/objectives: Behçet's disease (BD) affects both arterial and venous vessels. We have previously shown that common femoral vein wall thickness (WT) is increased in BD and can be used as a diagnostic test. However, there is limited data assessing large veins. Therefore, this study seeks to assess inferior vena cava wall thickness (IVC) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in BD compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods: Age- and gender-matched 70 BD patients and 51 HC were included. IVC wall thickness and common femoral vein WT were measured by TTE and Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. All examinations were performed on the same day as the clinical assessment. Results: The mean IVC wall thickness of BD patients was significantly higher than HC (2.9 mm (0.3) vs 2.6 mm (0.3), p < 0.001). Patients with mucocutaneous involvement (2.8 mm (0.3)) and major organ involvement (2.9 mm (0.3)) had significantly thicker walls compared to HC (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, respectively). IVC wall thickness was higher in patients with vascular involvement compared to those with nonvascular major organ involvement (3.1 mm (0.3) vs 2.8 mm (0.2), p = 0.04). There was a moderate correlation between IVC and common femoral vein WT (r = 0.49 for the right, r = 0.43 for the left, p = 0.01 for both). Conclusion: This study shows that venous wall inflammation is not limited to lower extremity veins and is also present in IVC walls of BD patients regardless of IVC involvement. Vascular wall inflammation is probably a widespread vascular event of all venous walls in BD. Key Points • Venous wall inflammation is not limited to lower extremity veins and is present also in IVC wall in Behçet's disease. • Extensive venous wall inflammation in Behçet's disease includes large venous structures despite not being clinically involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and toxicity of threedimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis (IVCTT). Materials and Methods: 53 HCC patients with PVTT/IVCTT undergoing 3D-CRT during the period from September 2008 to January 2014 were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze between-group differences in patient baseline information. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting survival in patients with HCC. Results: Computed tomography (CT) scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the upper abdomen one month post-radiotherapy showed an overall response rate (CR + PR) of 56.6% (30/53). Univariate analysis revealed that treatment regimen (P = 0.008), alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level (P = 0.012), response to radiotherapy, metastasis to celiac lymph nodes and site of tumor thrombosis were strongly associated with the prognosis of HCC patients with PVTT (P = 0.000). The median survival time was 9 months (95% CI: 7.43-10.57 months) in 23 (43.4%) PVTT patients, and 24 months (95% CI: 20.04-27.96 months) in 30 (56.6%) IVCTT patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that metastasis to celiac lymph nodes (P = 0.004) and response to radiotherapy (P = 0.001) were independent factors affecting patients' survival. Conclusion: 3D-CRT has high efficacy for treating HCC patients with PVTT, and metastasis to celiac lymph nodes and response to radiotherapy are primary factors affecting HCC patients' survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although hepatectomy including inferior vena cava (IVC) resection is becoming more common, some details remain uncertain such as use of artificial materials to replace a tumor-involved, damaged, or narrowed retrohepatic IVC segment. Methods: Surgical outcomes of 12 patients who underwent hepatectomy with IVC resection including reconstruction using synthetic tubular grafts were investigated to clarify safety and feasibility. Results: Operative time (median, 573 min; range, 268 to 774) and the blood loss (1076 mL; 155 to 2960) were acceptable. In-hospital mortality was 8% (1/12), and morbidity was 42% (5/12). Among the 12 patients, 2 were planned to undergo IVC reconstruction without an artificial graft. In one patient, prosthetic repair was adopted because of massive bleeding from the IVC wall during dissection of tumor from the IVC. In the other, severe stricture became evident during attempted direct closure of the partially resected IVC wall. Discussion: Ongoing experience has increased our acceptance of combined liver and IVC resection. We believe that segmental IVC resection and reconstruction with a prosthetic tubular graft could be chosen more frequently in managing liver tumors suspected to involve the IVC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: Determining dry weight is crucial for optimizing hemodialysis, influencing efficacy, cardiovascular outcomes, and overall survival. Traditional clinical assessment methods for dry weight, relying on factors such as blood pressure and edema, frequently lack reliability. Lung ultrasound stands out as a promising tool for assessing volume status, given its non‐invasiveness and reproducibility. This study aims to explore the role of Lung ultrasound in evaluating the impact of hemodialysis and ultrafiltration on extravascular lung water, with a specific focus on changes in B‐lines post‐hemodialysis compared to pre‐hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: The research encompassed searches across PubMed, WOS, and Scopus databases for studies related to lung ultrasound and hemodialysis. A meta‐analysis was then performed to determine the mean differences in various parameters before compared to after, hemodialysis, including the number of B‐lines, indexed end‐inspiratory and end‐expiratory inferior vena cava diameters, inferior vena cava collapsibility index, weight, blood pressure, and serum levels of NT‐pro‐BNP. Results: Our meta‐analysis, included 33 studies with 2301 hemodialysis patients, revealed a significant decrease in the number of B‐lines post‐hemodialysis (mean difference = 8.30, 95% CI [3.55 to 13.05]). Furthermore, there was a noteworthy reduction in inspiratory and expiratory inferior vena cava diameters post‐hemodialysis (mean difference = 2.32, 95% CI [0.31 to 4.33]; mean difference = 4.05, 95% CI [2.44 to 5.65], respectively). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between B‐lines and the maximum inferior vena cava diameter both pre‐ and post‐hemodialysis (correlation coefficient = 0.39; correlation coefficient = 0.32, respectively). Conclusion: These findings indicate the effectiveness of lung ultrasound in detection of volume overload and assessment of response to ultrafiltration in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently no clear consensus on screening techniques to evaluate the presence or severity of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). Cardiac MRI (CMR) is used routinely for post-Fontan surveillance, but CMR-derived measures that relate to the severity of FALD are not yet defined. This was a cross-sectional single-center study of post-Fontan patients who underwent a CMR. CMR exams were re-analyzed by a single pediatric cardiologist. Surrogates of FALD included Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Fibrosis-4 laboratory score (FIB-4), and imaging findings. Findings consistent with cirrhosis on liver ultrasound included increased liver echogenicity and/or nodularity. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate potential relationships between CMR parameters and markers of FALD. Sixty-one patients were included. A larger inferior vena cava cross-sectional area (IVC-CSA) indexed to height was significantly associated with a higher FIB-4 score (Spearman's ρ = 0.28, p = 0.04), a higher GGT level (Spearman's ρ = 0.40, p = 0.02), and findings consistent with cirrhosis on liver ultrasound (OR 1.17, 95% CI: (1.01, 1.35), p = 0.04). None of the other CMR parameters were associated with markers of FALD. A larger indexed IVC-CSA was associated with higher systemic ventricle end-diastolic pressure (EDP) on cardiac catheterization (Spearman's ρ = 0.39, p = 0.018) as well as older age (Spearman's ρ = 0.46, p = < 0.001). Indexed IVC-CSA was the only CMR parameter that was associated with markers of FALD. This measure has the potential to serve as an additional non-invasive tool to improve screening strategies for FALD. Visual abstract summarizing the primary findings of this paper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Laparoscopic isolated caudate lobectomy is still a challenging operation for surgeons. The access route of the operation plays a vital role during laparoscopic caudate lobectomy. There are few references regarding this technique. Here, we introduce a preferred inferior vena cava (IVC) approach in laparoscopic caudate lobectomy. Methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients with caudate hepatic tumours between June 2016 and December 2021 were included in this study. All of them received laparoscopic caudate lobectomy involving an IVC priority approach. The IVC priority approach refers to prioritizing the dissection of the IVC from the liver parenchyma before proceeding with the conventional left or right approach. It emphasizes the importance of the IVC dissection during process. Clinical data, intraoperative parameters and postoperative results were evaluated. Sixteen patients were performed pure IVC priority approach, while 5 patients underwent a combined approach. We subsequently compared the intraoperative and postoperative between the two groups. Results: All 21 patients were treated with laparoscopic technology. The operative time was 190.95 ± 92.65 min. The average estimated blood loss was 251.43 ± 247.45 ml, and four patients needed blood transfusions during the perioperative period. The average duration of hospital stay was 8.43 ± 2.64 (range from 6.0 to 16.0) days. Patients who underwent the pure inferior vena cava (IVC) approach required a shorter hepatic pedicle clamping time (26 vs. 55 min, respectively; P < 0.001) and operation time (150 vs. 380 min, respectively; P = 0.002) than those who underwent the combined approach. Hospitalization (7.0 vs. 9.0 days, respectively; P = 0.006) was shorter in the pure IVC group than in the combined group. Conclusions: Laparoscopic caudate lobectomy with an IVC priority approach is safe and feasible for patients with caudate hepatic tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstracts: A 30-year-old male patient diagnosed leiomyosarcoma originating from level II of inferior vena cava (IVC). The tumor involved IVC, right renal vein, the confluence of left renal vein and IVC, and the dorsal part of pancreatic head. An enbloc resection was performed and multiviscera including involving IVC, right renal vein, the inferior wall of confluence of left renal vein and IVC, and pancreaticoduodenum were resected with tumor. To ensure the patency of the left renal vein and avoid serious vascular complications of vascular reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy, a segment of distal IVC, as long as 2 cm, was excised to bridge right renal vein and the proximal end of IVC. The patient recovered smoothly after the operation. we named the strategy of vascular reconstruction as “sacrificing a rook to save the king.”

Key Clinical Message Abnormal traffic between the left atrium (LA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) in the database is currently rare. Herein, we present a unique case of abnormal traffic between the LA and the IVC, which was diagnosed using transesophageal echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography angiography. This case substantiates the superiority of transesophageal echocardiography over transthoracic echocardiography in detecting specific site lesions.

Key Clinical Message LMS of IVC needs a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical excision with free margin is the cornerstone of management. Upon case‐by‐case selection, adjuvant chemotherapy may play a role in better oncologic outcome. Abstract Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare form of mesenchymal origin malignancy with less than 400 cases reported to date. Surgery is the mainstay of management but it requires vast experience in vascular and visceral surgery to attain a free tumor margin. Subsequent adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiation remains as an area of gray zone. We report the case of a 61‐year‐old man with an 8‐month history of abdominal pain. Upon physical examination, an ill‐defined mass over the right side of the lower abdomen and bilateral lower extremity edema were detected. Abdominal ultrasound with Doppler revealed a right‐side retroperitoneal mass invading the IVC with extensive venous thrombosis for which anticoagulation was initiated. Computed Tomography of the abdomen revealed a huge heterogeneously enhancing mass involving the whole length of the infrarenal IVC obstructing the IVC lumen with collateral veins draining through the paralumbar veins and inferior epigastric veins bilaterally. With a top differential of primary IVC LMS, a midline longitudinal laparotomy was performed with an intraoperative finding of a tumor arising from the infra‐renal IVC which was excised. Gore‐Tex graft was used to reconstruct the IVC. There was an injury to the right common iliac artery and it was repaired by end‐to‐end anastomosis. Histopathology confirmed a high‐grade LMS of the IVC and surgical margin status was unknown. He was given adjuvant Chemotherapy consisting of Doxorubicin and Dacarbazine. He has been on follow‐up at the Oncology side with a good performance status.

Nephrostomy catheter misplacement into the inferior vena cava after percutaneous nephrolithotomy is an extremely rare complication, and subsequent catheter-related thrombosis has been more rarely reported. Here, we report a rare case of nephrostomy catheter misplacement after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. During the procedure, due to bleeding upon establishing the puncture channel, a renal fistula catheter with a balloon was inserted to facilitate hemostasis. However, the catheter inadvertently migrated into the inferior vena cava, with the inflated balloon obstructing venous return, resulting in thrombosis formation within the inferior vena cava. The patient was urgently transferred to our hospital for intervention. Upon administering anticoagulation and antimicrobial therapy, we first placed a filter in the patient's inferior vena cava to prevent thrombus embolism to the pulmonary arteries during catheter removal. Under fluoroscopy, the catheter was withdrawn into the renal vein, followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombus aspiration. Eventually, the renal fistula catheter was gradually removed in stages without any bleeding and pulmonary embolism occurring throughout the treatment process. Through a review of relevant literatures, we analyzed the reasons for catheter misplacement and summarized the associated treatment experience.

Key Clinical Message: Abnormal traffic between the left atrium (LA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) in the database is currently rare. Herein, we present a unique case of abnormal traffic between the LA and the IVC, which was diagnosed using transesophageal echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography angiography. This case substantiates the superiority of transesophageal echocardiography over transthoracic echocardiography in detecting specific site lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]