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BACKGROUND: The delivery of neuroendovascular devices requires a robust proximal access platform. This demand has previously been met with a 6Fr long sheath (8Fr guide) that is placed in the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) or vertebral artery segments. We share our experience with the first 0.088 inch 8Fr guide catheter designed for direct intracranial access. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained IRB-approved institutional database of the senior authors to identify all cases where the TracStar Large Distal Platform (LDP) was positioned within the intracranial vasculature, defined as within or distal to the petrous ICA, vertebral artery (V3) segments, or transverse sinus. Technical success was defined as safe placement of the TracStar LDP within or distal to the described distal vessel segments with subsequent complication-free device implantation. RESULTS: Over the 41-month study period from January 2020 to June 2023, 125 consecutive cases were identified in whom the TracStar LDP was navigated into the intracranial vasculature for triaxial delivery of large devices, 0.027 inch microcatheter and greater, for aneurysm treatment (n=108, 86%), intracranial angioplasty/stenting (n=15, 12%), and venous sinus stenting (n=2, 1.6%). All cases used a direct select catheter technique for initial guide placement (no exchange). Posterior circulation treatments occurred in 14.4% (n=18) of cases. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. No vessel dissections occurred in any cases. CONCLUSION: The TracStar LDP is an 0.088 inch 8Fr guide catheter that can establish direct intracranial access with an acceptable safety profile. This can be achieved in a wide range of neurointerventional cases with a high rate of technical success.

BACKGROUND: The Neuroform Atlas Stent System is an established treatment modality for unruptured anterior and posterior circulation intracranial aneurysms. Location-specific results are needed to guide treatment decision-making. However, it is unclear whether there are differences in safety and efficacy outcomes between carotid and more distal anterior circulation aneurysms. METHODS: The ATLAS IDE trial was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label interventional study that evaluated the safety and efficacy of the Neuroform Atlas Stent System. We compared differences in efficacy and safety outcomes of proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) versus distal and bifurcation anterior circulation aneurysms. RESULTS: Of 182 cases, there were 70 aneurysms in the ICA and 112 in the distal anterior circulation (including ICA terminus/bifurcation). There were no significant differences in the primary efficacy endpoint (85.5% vs 83.9%, p=0.78) and complete aneurysm occlusion rates (88.7% vs 87.9%, p=0.78) between proximal ICA aneurysms and distal aneurysms, respectively. Complications were more often encountered in distal and bifurcation aneurysms, but the overall rate of major safety events was low and comparable between the two groups (1.4% vs 6.3%, p=0.14). Recanalization and retreatment rates were also similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the Neuroform Atlas Stent System is a safe and efficacious treatment modality for unruptured anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms, regardless of aneurysm location. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02340585.

The evolution of endovascular therapies, particularly in the field of intracranial aneurysm treatment, has been truly remarkable and is characterized by the development of various stents. However, ischemic complications related to thrombosis or downstream emboli pose a challenge for the broader clinical application of such stents. Despite advancements in surface modification technologies, an ideal coating that fulfills all the desired requirements, including anti-thrombogenicity and swift endothelialization, has not been available. To address these issues, we investigated a new coating comprising 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) with both anti-thrombogenic and cell-adhesion properties. We assessed the anti-thrombogenic property of the coating using an in vitro blood loop model by evaluating the platelet count and the level of the thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex, and investigating thrombus formation on the surface using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We then assessed endothelial cell adhesion on the metal surfaces. In vitro blood tests revealed that, compared to a bare stent, the coating significantly inhibited platelet reduction and thrombus formation; more human serum albumin spontaneously adhered to the coated surface to block thrombogenic activation in the blood. Cell adhesion tests also indicated a significant increase in the number of cells adhering to the APTES-coated surfaces compared to the numbers adhering to either the bare stent or the stent coated with an anti-fouling phospholipid polymer. Finally, we performed an in vivo safety test by implanting coated stents into the internal thoracic arteries and ascending pharyngeal arteries of minipigs, and subsequently assessing the health status and vessel patency of the arteries by angiography over the course of 1 week. We found that there were no adverse effects on the pigs and the vascular lumens of their vessels were well maintained in the group with APTES-coated stents. Therefore, our new coating exhibited both high anti-thrombogenicity and cell-adhesion properties, which fulfill the requirements of an implantable stent.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an effective strategy to reduce perioperative stroke in patients with severe carotid stenosis who require cardiothoracic surgery (CTS). Staging both procedures (CAS-CTS) during a single hospitalization presents conflicting demands for antiplatelet therapy and the optimal pharmacologic strategy between procedures is not established. The purpose of this study is to present our initial experience with a bridging protocol for staged CAS-CTS. METHODS: A retrospective review of staged CAS-CTS procedures at a single referral center was performed. All patients had multivessel coronary and/or valvular disease and severe carotid stenosis (>70%). Patients not previously on aspirin were also started on aspirin prior to surgery, followed by eptifibatide during CAS (intraprocedural bolus followed by post-procedural infusion which was continued until the morning of surgery). Pre- and perioperative (30 days) neurologic morbidity and mortality was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: 11 CAS procedures were performed in 10 patients using the protocol. The median duration of eptifibatide bridge therapy was 36 h (range 24-288 h). There was one minor bleeding complication (1/11, 9.1%) and no major bleeding complications during the bridging and post-operative period. There was one post-operative, non-neurologic death and zero perioperative ischemic strokes. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing staged CAS-CTS, Eptifibatide bridging therapy is a viable temporary antiplatelet strategy with a favorable safety profile. This strategy enables a flexible range of time-intervals between procedures.

Background: To define optimal parameters for the evaluation of vessel visibility in intracranial stents (ICS) and flow diverters (FD) using photon-counting detector computed tomography angiography (PCD-CTA) with spectral reconstructions. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with implanted ICS or FD, who received a PCD-CTA between April 2023 and March 2024. Polyenergetic, virtual monoenergetic, pure lumen, and iodine reconstructions with different keV levels (40, 60, and 80) and reconstruction kernels (body vascular [Bv]48, Bv56, Bv64, Bv72, and Bv76) were evaluated by two radiologists with regions of interests and Likert scales. Reconstructions were compared in descriptive analysis. Results: In total, twelve patients with nine FDs and six ICSs were analyzed. In terms of quantitative image quality, sharper kernels as Bv64 and Bv72 yielded increased image noise and decreased signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios compared to the smoothest kernel Bv48 (p = 0.001). Among the different keV levels and kernels, readers selected the 40 keV level (p = 0.001) and sharper kernels (in the majority of cases Bv72) as the best to visualize the in-stent vessel lumen. Assessing the different spectral reconstructions virtual monoenergetic and iodine reconstructions proved to be best to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen (p = 0.001). Conclusion: PCD-CTA and spectral reconstructions with sharper reconstruction kernels and a low keV level of 40 seem to be beneficial to achieve optimal image quality for the evaluation of ICS and FD. Iodine and virtual monoenergetic reconstructions were superior to pure lumen and polyenergetic reconstructions to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen. Relevance statement: PCD-CTA offers the opportunity to reduce the need for invasive angiography serving as follow-up examination after intracranial stent (ICS) or flow diverter (FD) implantation. Key Points: Neuroimaging of intracranial vessels with implanted stents and flow diverters is limited by artifacts. Twelve patients with nine flow diverters and six intracranial stents underwent photon-counting detector computed tomography angiography (PCD-CTA). In-stent vessel lumen visibility improved using sharp reconstruction kernels and a low keV level. Virtual monoenergetic and iodine reconstructions were best to evaluate in-stent vessel lumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic management of benign pancreaticobiliary disorders encompasses a range of procedures designed to address complications in gallstone disease, choledocholithiasis, and pancreatic disorders. Acute cholecystitis is typically treated with cholecystectomy or percutaneous drainage (PT-GBD), but for high-risk or future surgical candidates, alternative decompression methods, such as endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETP-GBD), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD), are effective. PT-GBD is associated with significant discomfort as well as variable adverse event rates. EUS-GBD leverages lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for direct access to the gallbladder, providing the ability to treat an inflamed GB internally. Choledocholithiasis is primarily managed with ERCP, utilizing techniques to include balloon extraction, mechanical lithotripsy, or advanced methods such as electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy in cases of complex stones. Altered anatomy from bariatric procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may necessitate specialized approaches, including balloon-assisted ERCP or EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE). Post-operative complications, including bile leaks and strictures, are managed endoscopically using sphincterotomy and stenting. Post-liver transplant anastomotic and non-anastomotic strictures often require repeated stent placements or advanced techniques like magnetic compression anastomosis in refractory cases. In chronic pancreatitis (CP), endoscopic approaches aim to relieve pain and address structural complications like pancreatic duct (PD) strictures and calculi. ERCP with sphincterotomy and stenting, along with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), achieves effective ductal clearance for PD stones. When traditional approaches are insufficient, direct visualization with peroral pancreatoscopy-assisted lithotripsy is utilized. EUS-guided interventions, such as cystgastrostomy, pancreaticogastrostomy, and celiac plexus blockade, offer alternative therapeutic options for pain management and drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections. EUS plays a diagnostic and therapeutic role in CP, with procedures tailored for high-risk patients or those with complex anatomy. As techniques evolve, endoscopic management provides minimally invasive alternatives for patients with complex benign pancreaticobiliary conditions, offering high clinical success and fewer complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the feasibility and image quality of dual-source photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in evaluating small-sized coronary artery stents with respect to different acquisition modes in a phantom model. METHODS Utilizing a phantom setup mimicking the average patient's water-equivalent diameter, we examined six distinct coronary stents inflated in a silicon tube, with stent sizes ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 mm, applying four different CT acquisition modes of a dual-source PCD-CT scanner: "high-pitch," "sequential," "spiral" (each with collimation of 144 × 0.4 mm and full spectral information), and "ultra-high-resolution (UHR)" (collimation of 120 × 0.2 mm and no spectral information). Image quality and diagnostic confidence were assessed using subjective measures, including a 4-point visual grading scale (4 = excellent; 1 = non-diagnostic) utilized by two independent radiologists, and objective measures, including the full width at half maximum (FWHM). RESULTS A total of 24 scans were acquired, and all were included in the analysis. Among all CT acquisition modes, the highest image quality was obtained for the UHR mode [median score: 4 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.67-4.00)] (P = 0.0015, with 37.5% rated as "excellent"), followed by the sequential mode [median score: 3.5 (IQR: 2.84-4.00)], P = 0.0326 and the spiral mode [median score: 3.0 (IQR: 2.53-3.47), P > 0.05]. The lowest image quality was observed for the high-pitch mode [median score: 2 (IQR: 1-3), P = 0.028]. Similarly, diagnostic confidence for evaluating stent patency was highest for UHR and lowest for high-pitch (P < 0.001, respectively). Measurement of stent dimensions was accurate for all acquisition modes, with the UHR mode showing highest robustness (FWHM for sequential: 0.926 ± 0.061 vs. high-pitch: 0.990 ± 0.083 vs. spiral: 0.962 ± 0.085 vs. UHR: 0.941 ± 0.036, P = non-significant, respectively). CONCLUSION Assessing small-sized coronary stents using PCD-CT technology is feasible. The UHR mode offers superior image quality and diagnostic confidence, while all modes show consistent and accurate measurements. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE These findings highlight the potential of PCD-CT technology, particularly the UHR mode, to enhance non-invasive coronary stent evaluation. Confirmatory research is necessary to influence the guidelines, which recommend cardiac CT only for stents of 3 mm or larger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Ureteroscopy (URS) is considered one of the first-line surgical treatments for urinary stones < 2 cm. Preoperative stenting (PS) employment in URS for urolithiasis remains debated, with evidence differing in terms of outcomes and recommendations. We sought to evaluate the influence of PS on surgical outcomes compared to non-PS (NPS) in patients with renal and ureteral stones undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Methods: Databases were searched until December 2023 for randomized and non-randomized studies reporting perioperative outcomes for PS and NPS. Pooled data were analyzed through a Random-Effects model when Higgins I2% heterogeneity values were > 50%; otherwise, a Fixed-Effects model was employed. Results were reported as risk ratios (RR), or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The analysis included 23,668 patients from 25 included studies (5 non-randomized prospective and 20 retrospective studies). Higher stone-free rates (SFR) were observed in kidney and ureteral stones (RR 1.05; 95%CI 1.03–1.08; p ≤ 0.0001), especially if managed with flexible URS (RR 1.05; 95%CI 1.01–1.09) in the PS cohort. Additionally, lower rates of intraoperative (RR 0.70; 95%CI 0.49–0.99; p = 0.04) and postoperative complications (RR 0.82; 95%CI 0.70–0.95; p = 0.008) were seen with PS. Both groups had a comparable operative time, length of stay (LOS), ureteral access sheath (UAS) placement success, and SFR in semi-rigid URS. Conclusion: Higher SFR with PS were seen in kidney and ureteral stones, especially if f-URS was employed. Moreover, perioperative complications did not increase with PS. Future randomized studies, evaluating cost-effectiveness and quality of life are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) after stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) for ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Methods: In total, 176 stent-assisted coil embolization procedures were investigated. Among them, 77 ruptured and 99 unruptured aneurysms were grouped and compared respectively. In the ruptured group, only SAPT (aspirin) was administered after the procedure. Meanwhile, in the unruptured group, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered before and after the procedure following standard guidelines. We compared both groups in regards to thromboembolic complications by analyzing post procedural diffusion-weighted images (DWI), hyperacute thrombosis during the procedure, and post-procedural symptoms. Results: The single antiplatelet therapy ruptured intracranial aneurysm (SAPT-RIA) group had 77 saccular aneurysms (62 ICA, 3 MCA, 4 ACA, 8 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 8.07 mm. The dual antiplatelet therapy unruptured intracranial aneurysm (DAPT-UIA) group had 99 aneurysms (81 ICA, 5 MCA, 3 ACA, 10 posterior circulation) with a mean diameter of 6.32 mm. DWI positivity rates were similar between groups, but hyperacute thrombosis was higher in the SAPT-RIA group (10.4%) compared to none in the DAPT-UIA group. Each group had one symptomatic complication. Conclusions: SAPT could be a viable option for the peri-procedural management of SAC in acutely ruptured cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subclavian arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare entities, mostly reported as a result of traumatic and iatrogenic injuries. In the literature, congenital subclavian AVFs are also presented. Diagnosis of traumatic AVF may present challenges given the variable clinical presentation, varying location, and difficulty to locate on imaging. If left untreated, it can lead to high-output heart failure. This underlies the importance of understanding the nature of the disease, timely diagnosis, and treatment in order to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a patient having a traumatic left subclavian AVF formation after clavicle and rib surgery, which was successfully treated with a covered stent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients having undergone a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNYGB) poses a significant surgical challenge. We present a patient with a history of RNYGB and endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) procedure who underwent a successful PD. This 77-year-old female with history of open RNYBG presented with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A preoperative EDGE procedure was required for biliary decompression. A PD was performed by removing the entire biliopancreatic limb for oncologic resection. The reconstructive technique here involved utilizing the old common channel for the hepaticojejunostomy, pancreaticojejunostomy, and remnant gastrojejunostomy. The case also included Axios stent placement during a preoperative EDGE procedure. This case describes the first reported successful PD in a patient with prior RNYGB and EDGE procedure. Although the optimal technique for this clinical scenario remains unestablished, this unique case contributes to the literature by demonstrating an effective approach for practicing surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcomes of carotid revascularization in patients with prior carotid artery stenting (CAS) remain understudied. Prior research has not reported the outcomes after transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in patients with previous CAS. In this study, we compared the peri-operative outcomes of TCAR, transfemoral CAS (tfCAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with prior ipsilateral CAS using the Vascular Quality Iniatitive. Using Vascular Quality Initiative data from 2016 to 2023, we identified patients who underwent TCAR, tfCAS, or CEA after prior ipsilateral CAS. We included covariates such as age, race, sex, body mass index, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, prior coronary artery disease, prior coronary artery bypass grafting/percutaneous coronary intervention, congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia), symptom status, urgency, ipsilateral stenosis, and contralateral occlusion into a regression model to compute propensity scores for treatment assignment. We then used the propensity scores for inverse probability weighting and weighted logistic regression to compare in-hospital stroke, in-hospital death, stroke/death, postoperative myocardial infarction (MI), stroke/death/MI, 30-day mortality, and cranial nerve injury (CNI) after TCAR, tfCAS, and CEA. We also analyzed trends in the proportions of patients undergoing the three revascularization procedures over time using Cochrane-Armitage trend testing. We identified 2137 patients undergoing revascularization after prior ipsilateral carotid stenting: 668 TCAR patients (31%), 1128 tfCAS patients (53%), and 341 CEA patients (16%). In asymptomatic patients, TCAR was associated with a lower yet not statistically significant in-hospital stroke/death than tfCAS (TCAR vs tfCAS: 0.7% vs 2.0%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-1.05; P =.06), and similar odds of stroke/death with CEA (TCAR vs CEA: 0.7% vs 0.9%; aOR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.16-3.98; P =.8). Compared with CEA, TCAR was associated with lower odds of postoperative MI (0.1% vs 14%; aOR, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.00-0.10; P <.001), stroke/death/MI (0.8% vs 15%; aOR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.25; P <.001), and CNI (0.1% vs 3.8%; aOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00-0.30; P =.002) in this patient population. In symptomatic patients, TCAR had an unacceptably elevated in-hospital stroke/death rate of 5.1%, with lower rates of CNI than CEA. We also found an increasing trend in the proportion of patients undergoing TCAR following prior ipsilateral carotid stenting (2016 to 2023: 14% to 41%), with a relative decrease in proportions of tfCAS (61% to 45%) and CEA (25% to 14%) (P <.001). In asymptomatic patients with prior ipsilateral CAS, TCAR was associated with lower odds of in-hospital stroke/death compared with tfCAS, with comparable stroke/death but lower postoperative MI and CNI rates compared with CEA. In symptomatic patients, TCAR was associated with unacceptably higher in-hospital stroke/death rates. In line with the postprocedure outcomes, there has been a steady increase in the proportion of patients with prior ipsilateral stenting undergoing TCAR over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective To explore endovascular treatment for patients with blood blister-like aneurysms (BBA) of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods and Results A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 25 patients with BBA of ICA admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to January 2022 were conducted. All of them accepted endovascular treatment: 17 cases were treated with single-stent-assisted embolization, including 14 cases using Lvis stents and 3 cases using Enterprise stents; 4 cases were treated with double-stent-assisted embolization, all using Lvis stents; one case was treated with overlapping stent implantation, including 2 Lvis stents and one Enterprise stent; one case was treated with balloon -assisted embolization, and 2 cases were treated with Tubridge flow diverter. No aneurysm rupture occurred during the surgery. One patient had intra-stent thrombosis during the procedure, while other 24 patients showed smooth blood flow on postoperative immediate DSA. The Raymond classification showed that among the patients, there were 17 cases of grade I occlusion, 3 cases of grade II occlusion, and 5 cases of grade III occlusion. Postoperative complications included cerebral infarction (2 cases), cerebral vasospasm due to subarachnoid hemorrhage (one case), and hydrocephalus (2 cases). Six patients had aneurysm recurrence postoperatively (3 cases using a single Enterprise stent, one case using 2 Lvis stents, one case using Tubridge flow diverter, and one case using a balloon-assisted embolization), among whom 5 patients underwent repeat stent-assisted embolization treatment. And one patient still had recurrence after treatment but achieved cure by adjusting antiplatelet therapy regimen; one patient recovered by adjusting antiplatelet therapy regimen. At 12 months after surgery, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were as follows: 0 in 15 cases, 1 in 6 cases, 2 in 3 cases, and 6 in one case. The disability rate was 12% (3/25), and the mortality rate was 4% (1/25). Conclusions The degree of immediate postoperative occlusion is crucial for preventing aneurysm recurrence postoperatively. For recurrent BBA of ICA, adjustment of antiplatelet therapy should be considered first. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Angioplasty with stent placement is a widely used treatment strategy for patients with stenotic blood vessels. However, it is often challenging to predict the outcomes of this procedure for individual patients. Image-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful technique for making these predictions. To perform CFD analysis of a stented vessel, a virtual model of the vessel must first be created. This model is typically made by manipulating two-dimensional contours of the vessel in its pre-stent state to reflect its post-stent shape. However, improper contour-editing can cause invalid geometric artifacts in the resulting mesh that then distort the subsequent CFD predictions. To address this limitation, we have developed a novel shape-editing method that deforms surface meshes of stenosed vessels to create stented models. Methods: Our method uses physics-based simulations via Extended Position Based Dynamics to guide these deformations. We embed an inflating stent inside a vessel and apply collision-generated forces to deform the vessel and expand its cross-section. Results: We demonstrate that this technique is feasible and applicable for a wide range of vascular anatomies, while yielding clinically compatible results. We also illustrate the ability to parametrically vary the stented shape and create models allowing CFD analyses. Conclusion: Our stenting method will help clinicians predict the hemodynamic results of stenting interventions and adapt treatments to achieve target outcomes for patients. It will also enable generation of synthetic data for data-intensive applications, such as machine learning, to support cardiovascular research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development of the photocurable resin material based on the graphene reinforced polyethylene glycol diacrylate (gPEGDA) for vascular stent fabrication using a commercial 3D printer. 3D printing with digital light processing (DLP) technique is an attractive alternative for low-cost fast fabrication with high accuracy. Four photocurable resin compositions were prepared by mixing PEGDA and varied composition of graphene and the photoinitiator according to the design of experiment of 22 full factorial design. The diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) photoinitiator was adopted to meet the required 405 nm UV-light source wavelength of the 3D printer for stent fabrication. Material characterization of the UV-absorbance and viscosity tests were conducted and optimized to obtain resin printability. Mechanical characteristics tests were conducted to obtain the best resin composition for stent application. For this purpose, the tensile tests were conducted according to the ASTM D638 standard using the type-V specimen size. The test specimens were 3D printed with varied UV exposure time 20 and 30 seconds. Finally, the stents were successfully fabricated using a commercial 3D printer DLP with the bottom parameter time setting of 60 seconds, and the UV exposure time of 30 seconds. The resin material was applicable for 3D printing of the stent. The result has shown that 3D printer with DLP technique is suitable for stent fabrication with excellent surface quality. Moreover, the innovative bioresorbable stent materials and fabrication approach could open up new possibilities in the development of medical devices, particularly in the treatment of vascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bending properties of catheters and stents have a big influence on their success during clinical application. Whereas bending stiffness directly affects the trackability of catheters, stents underlie bending when used for renal, superficial femoral or femoro-popliteal arteries, respectively. A three-point bending test setup according to ASTM F2606 was implemented into a universal testing machine and was validated regarding influence parameters such as accuracy of force measurement, test speed and span length. The bending stiffness can be calculated from the initial linear portion of the force-deflection curve. Furthermore, a multi-cycle approach was developed to evaluate the bending properties at large deformations revealing the deflection depending peak load as well as deflection depending elastic recovery rate after unloading. Within this study samples with a length of 120 mm from the proximal region of a commercial coronary balloon catheter were used. Influence of test speed was not significant. However, bending stiffness increased with increasing span length. For multi-cycle measurements a constant test speed and constant span length was used. Test results showed an increasing plastic deformation and peak load as well as a decreasing elastic recovery rate as expected. The presented test method can be used for catheters as well as stents with a length diameter ratio of at least 4:1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been recognized as an effective treatment for patients at high risk for surgery. An antimigration metal stent with tapered thin delivery system has recently been developed. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and longterm outcomes of EUS-GBD using the new metal stent. Methods : Between April 2017 and March 2020, 21 patients with acute cholecystitis unsuitable for cholecystectomy underwent EUS-GBD using the metal stent. The stent was 6 mm in diameter and 6 cm in length, with a large flare at both ends for antimigration, and mounted in a 7.5 Fr delivery catheter, which requires no dilation devices. We retrospectively evaluated clinical and technical success, adverse events, and stent patency. Results : The technical and clinical success rates of EUS-GBD using the metal stent were 95.2% and 100%, respectively. For 75% of the patients, metal stents could be placed without dilatation of the needle tract. These patients had significantly shorter procedure time (23.6 ± 9.8 min) than patients requiring needle tract dilatation (38.4 ± 17.1 min; P=0.036). The median follow-up periods were 336 days (interquartile range [IQR] 152-919 days) and 1,135 days (IQR 1,009-1,675 days) for all and alive patients, respectively. No adverse events or recurrence of cholecystitis due to stent occlusion that occurred in any patient at follow-up was observed. Conclusion : In conclusion, EUS-GBD using the newly designed metal stent showed excellent safety and longterm outcomes, and may be suitable as an alternative treatment in patients who are unsuitable for cholecystectomy.

Background : Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage (EUSD) is an effective treatment for postoperative pancreatic fluid collections (POPFCs); however, standards regarding stents used for EUSD have not been established. This study analyzed the outcomes of EUSD of POPFCs at our hospital and examined the safety and effectiveness of plastic stents/tubes. Methods : This retrospective, single-center study focused on EUSD of POPFCs performed at our hospital. We examined the rates of technical success, clinical success, adverse events, and recurrence. Results : Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. The initial drainage methods comprised one nasocystic plastic tube (NPT) and one double-pigtail plastic stent (DPS) for 19 (70.4%) patients, two DPS for four (14.8%) patients, one NPT for three (11.1%) patients, and one lumen-apposing metal stent for one (3.7%) patient. The technical success and clinical success rates were both 100%. Fourteen of the 19 patients with one NPT and one DPS improved, but five patients required additional interventions and improved with fistula site dilation. Although recurrence occurred in one patient, improvement was achieved with second EUSD. Early adverse events comprised one case of bleeding for which hemostasis was achieved by performing coil embolization. Late adverse events comprised three cases of DPS migration; however, no additional intervention was required. Conclusion : The use of plastic tubes/stents is safe and effective for EUSD of POPFCs.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the feasibility and image quality of dual-source photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in evaluating small-sized coronary artery stents with respect to different acquisition modes in a phantom model. METHODS: Utilizing a phantom setup mimicking the average patient’s water-equivalent diameter, we examined six distinct coronary stents inflated in a silicon tube, with stent sizes ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 mm, applying four different CT acquisition modes of a dual-source PCD-CT scanner: “high-pitch,” “sequential,” “spiral” (each with collimation of 144 × 0.4 mm and full spectral information), and “ultra-high-resolution (UHR)” (collimation of 120 × 0.2 mm and no spectral information). Image quality and diagnostic confidence were assessed using subjective measures, including a 4-point visual grading scale (4 = excellent; 1 = non-diagnostic) utilized by two independent radiologists, and objective measures, including the full width at half maximum (FWHM). RESULTS: A total of 24 scans were acquired, and all were included in the analysis. Among all CT acquisition modes, the highest image quality was obtained for the UHR mode [median score: 4 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.67–4.00)] (P = 0.0015, with 37.5% rated as “excellent”), followed by the sequential mode [median score: 3.5 (IQR: 2.84–4.00)], P = 0.0326 and the spiral mode [median score: 3.0 (IQR: 2.53–3.47), P > 0.05]. The lowest image quality was observed for the high-pitch mode [median score: 2 (IQR: 1– 3), P = 0.028]. Similarly, diagnostic confidence for evaluating stent patency was highest for UHR and lowest for high-pitch (P < 0.001, respectively). Measurement of stent dimensions was accurate for all acquisition modes, with the UHR mode showing highest robustness (FWHM for sequential: 0.926 ± 0.061 vs. high-pitch: 0.990 ± 0.083 vs. spiral: 0.962 ± 0.085 vs. UHR: 0.941 ± 0.036, P = non-significant, respectively). CONCLUSION: Assessing small-sized coronary stents using PCD-CT technology is feasible. The UHR mode offers superior image quality and diagnostic confidence, while all modes show consistent and accurate measurements. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings highlight the potential of PCD-CT technology, particularly the UHR mode, to enhance non-invasive coronary stent evaluation. Confirmatory research is necessary to influence the guidelines, which recommend cardiac CT only for stents of 3 mm or larger.

Esophagopericardial fistulas are an extremely rare structural defect that may arise from malignant or iatrogenic etiologies. This article reports the case of a patient with cardiac tamponade secondary to hydropneumopericardium from esophagopericardial fistula. Given the high morbidity and mortality of this condition, this article describes challenges in diagnosis and clinical decision-making to improve early identification and interdisciplinary management.

BACKGROUND: The superiority of balloon angioplasty plus aggressive medical management (AMM) to AMM alone for symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (sICAS) on efficacy and safety profiles still lacks evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). AIM: To demonstrate the design of an RCT on balloon angioplasty plus AMM for sICAS. DESIGN: Balloon Angioplasty for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis (BASIS) trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point trial to investigate whether balloon angioplasty plus AMM could improve clinical outcome compared with AMM alone in patients with sICAS. Patients eligible in BASIS were 35-80 years old, with a recent transient ischaemic attack within the past 90 days or ischaemic stroke between 14 days and 90 days prior to enrolment due to severe atherosclerotic stenosis (70%-99%) of a major intracranial artery. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive balloon angioplasty plus AMM or AMM alone at a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive identical AMM, including standard dual antiplatelet therapy for 90 days followed by long-term single antiplatelet therapy, intensive risk factor management and life-style modification. All participants will be followed up for 3 years. STUDY OUTCOMES: Stroke or death in the next 30 days after enrolment or after balloon angioplasty procedure of the qualifying lesion during follow-up, or any ischaemic stroke or revascularisation from the qualifying artery after 30 days but before 12 months of enrolment, is the primary outcome. DISCUSSION: BASIS trail is the first RCT to compare the efficacy and safety of balloon angioplasty plus AMM to AMM alone in sICAS patients, which may provide an alternative perspective for treating sICAS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03703635; https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report a first-in-human trial in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) subjects treated with a new microinterventional biostent-reinforced cyclodialysis technique to enhance supraciliary aqueous drainage. METHODS: Subjects (N=10; 74.1±7.9 years old) with OAG and cataracts underwent combined phacoemulsification cataract surgery with implantation of a permanent endoscleral supraciliary biostent to reinforce a controlled cyclodialysis cleft. The biostent comprised decellularised scleral allograft tissue microtrephined into a polymer tubular implant intraoperative/postoperative safety, intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medications were tracked through 12 months postimplantation. RESULTS: Baseline medicated IOP averaged 24.2±6.9 mm Hg with subjects using 1.3±0.8 IOP-lowering medications. Successful biostent implantation was achieved in all individuals without significant complications. Immediate IOP lowering was sustained through 1 year. Twelve-month mean IOP was reduced 40% from baseline to 14.6±3.2 mm Hg (p=0.004; paired two-tailed t-test), and 80% of patients achieved >20% IOP reduction. Biostenting reduced glaucoma medication use 62%, from a baseline mean of 1.3 required medications to 0.5 medications (p=0.037) at postoperative 12 months. The biotissue implant was well tolerated and demonstrated good endothelial safety with only 11% endothelial cell loss at 12 months after combined phaco-biostenting surgery, similar to that expected after phacoemulsification alone. Mean BCVA increased from baseline 20/130 Snellen to 20/36 at postoperative 12 months (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Supraciliary biostenting in OAG patients is well tolerated, has a good safety profile and produces long-term IOP-lowering while reducing glaucoma medication requirements.

AIM: The 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and the 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.

We present the case of an 86-year-old man with acute gallstone-induced cholecystitis who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage. Despite the successful one-step gallbladder puncture and tract dilation using a fine-gauge electrocautery dilator, significant resistance was encountered during guidewire manipulation, ultimately revealing a peeled-off coating of the guidewire at the dilator tip. Although a subsequent attempt led to a successful stent placement, a peeled coating was observed in the duodenum. This case highlights the importance of careful attention to guidewire manipulation to prevent accidental shearing, not only through the needle but also through the electrocautery dilator. It emphasizes the necessity to practice caution in this technique-sensitive procedure to ensure both patient safety and procedural success.

Current therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke fall short of the desired objective of neurological functional recovery. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new methods for the treatment of this condition. Exosomes are natural cell-derived vesicles that mediate signal transduction between cells under physiological and pathological conditions. They have low immunogenicity, good stability, high delivery efficiency, and the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. These physiological properties of exosomes have the potential to lead to new breakthroughs in the treatment of ischemic stroke. The rapid development of nanotechnology has advanced the application of engineered exosomes, which can effectively improve targeting ability, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and minimize the dosages needed. Advances in technology have also driven clinical translational research on exosomes. In this review, we describe the therapeutic effects of exosomes and their positive roles in current treatment strategies for ischemic stroke, including their anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, autophagy-regulation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and glial scar formation reduction effects. However, it is worth noting that, despite their significant therapeutic potential, there remains a dearth of standardized characterization methods and efficient isolation techniques capable of producing highly purified exosomes. Future optimization strategies should prioritize the exploration of suitable isolation techniques and the establishment of unified workflows to effectively harness exosomes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications in ischemic stroke. Ultimately, our review aims to summarize our understanding of exosome-based treatment prospects in ischemic stroke and foster innovative ideas for the development of exosome-based therapies.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of modified SWIM technique for mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods Total 114 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in The Third the People's Hospital of Bengbu from January 2021 to January 2024 were included. Modified SWIM technique (modified thrombectomy group, n = 57) and conventional SWIM technique (conventional thrombectomy group, n = 57) were given respectively. Vascular recanalization rate of the first thrombectomy, overall vascular recanalization rate, the number of thrombectomy, puncture⁃to⁃reperfusion time, near⁃term neurological deficits [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 14 d postoperatively] and long⁃term neurological prognosis [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 d postoperatively] were recorded, as well as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rate and mortality. Results The vascular recanalization rate of the first thrombectomy in modified thrombectomy group was higher than that in conventional thrombectomy group (χ2 = 5.054, P = 0.025), the number of thrombectomy was less than (Z = 2.014, P = 0.044), and puncture⁃to⁃reperfusion time was shorter than (Z = 2.630, P = 0.009) conventional thrombectomy group. There was a statistically significant difference in NIHSS score between modified thrombectomy group and conventional thrombectomy group before and after surgery (F = 5.185, P = 0.025), and there was also a statistically significant difference in NIHSS score between the 2 groups at admission and 14 d after surgery (F = 133.705, P = 0.000). There was not an interaction between treatment factors and measurement times (F = 3.148, P = 0.079). The NIHSS score 14 d after surgery in modified thrombectomy group was lower than that in conventional thrombectomy group (t =2.969, P = 0.004). The NIHSS score of modified thrombectomy group (t = 10.286, P = 0.000) and conventional thrombectomy group (t = 6.428, P = 0.000) were lower at 14 d after surgery than those at admission. There was a statistically significant difference in mRS score between modified thrombectomy group and conventional thrombectomy group before and after surgery (F = 7.581, P = 0.007), and there was also a statistically significant difference in mRS score between the 2 groups at admission and 90 d after surgery (F = 277.328, P = 0.000). There was an interaction between treatment factors and measurement times (F = 10.471, P = 0.002), and the effect of modified SWIM technique was better. Modified thrombectomy group had a better prognosis (mRS score ≤ 2) at 90 d after surgery than conventional thrombectomy group (χ2 = 4.267, P = 0.039). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative sICH rate (χ2 = 0.077, P = 0.782) and the mortality (χ2 = 0.101, P = 0.751) between 2 groups. Conclusions The application of modified SWIM technique in mechanical thrombectomy has better efficacy and safety than conventional SWIM technique, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and changes in hemodynamic parameters before and after incomplete stent angioplasty with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods A total of 52 patients with severe intracranial artery stenosis (> 70%) who underwent incomplete stent angioplasty with PTAS at Shijiazhuang People's Hospital in Hebei from February 2018 to February 2023 were selected. The residual stenosis rate after implantation of stent was evaluated, and neurological function was evaluated before and 6 months after surgery by modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The MeshLab software was used to analyze three⁃dimensional imaging data of arterial vessels, perform virtual repair of arterial stenosis approaching normal vessel diameter, and obtain hemodynamic parameters of each segment of the arterial wall and lumen before and after implantation of stent. Results The residual stenosis rate after stent implantation was (15.34 ± 6.12)%, which was better than the stenosis rate before stent implantation [(84.60 ± 7.20)%; t = 98.672, P =0.000]. The mRS score 6 months after surgery was (0.38 ± 0.21) points, which was lower than before surgery [(1.21 ± 0.43) points; t = 24.124, P = 0.000]. Compared with the hemodynamic parameters of each segment of the arterial wall before stent implantation, the dynamic pressure, total pressure, shear stress,shear rate, and cell Reynolds number of the proximal normal segment, stenotic and distal normal segment of the artery decreased after stent implantation (P = 0.000, for all), also the dynamic pressure (P = 0.000), total pressure (P = 0.000), shear stress (P = 0.000), shear rate (P = 0.008), and cell Reynolds number (P = 0.000) of the narrowed branch root decreased. Compared with the hemodynamic parameters related to the lumen of each segment of the artery before stent implantation, the dynamic pressure (P = 0.000), total pressure (P = 0.000), blood flow velocity (P = 0.000), vorticity (P = 0.005), turbulence kinetic energy (P = 0.000), turbulence intensity (P = 0.000), turbulence dissipation rate (P = 0.000), and turbulence Reynolds number (P = 0.000) of the proximal normal segment of the artery decreased after stent implantation, while the cell Reynolds number increased (P = 0.000). Excluding blood flow velocity (P = 0.138), the dynamic pressure, total pressure, vorticity, turbulence kinetic energy, turbulence intensity, turbulence dissipation rate, and turbulence Reynolds number of the root and segment of the artery decreased (P = 0.000, for all). The dynamic pressure, total pressure, blood flow velocity, vorticity, turbulence kinetic enery, turbulence intensity, turbulence dissipation rate, and turbulence Reynolds number of stenotic segment of the artery decreased (P = 0.000, for all). The dynamic pressure (P = 0.000), total pressure (P = 0.000), blood flow velocity (P = 0.001), vorticity (P = 0.000), turbulence kinetic energy (P = 0.000), turbulence intensity (P =0.000), turbulence dissipation rate (P = 0.000), and turbulence Reynolds number (P = 0.000) of the distal normal segment decreased, while the cell Reynolds number increased (P = 0.000). The hemodynamic parameters of the wall and lumen after virtual repair of artery stenosis were close to those after stent implantation. Conclusions The use of incomplete stent angioplasty with PTAS for severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis can significantly alleviate clinical symptoms, improve hemodynamic parameters in each segment of the stenosis, reduce the damage of turbulent blood flow to the arterial wall, and lower the risk of plaque fragmentation, detachment, and embolism of distal brain tissue caused by complete dilation of the stenosis.

Abstract Background Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the portal vein is one of the main causes of portal hypertension, which may result in life-threatening complications often managed by interventional radiology (IR). The aim of this study is to report the innovative experience with percutaneous revascularization therapy in the management of portal vein CTO in paediatric and adult patients. Materials and methods From January 2020 to December 2023 consecutive paediatric and adult patients with severe portal hypertension resulting from portal vein CTO who underwent attempts at percutaneous recanalization were retrospectively reviewed. Technical aspects including the percutaneous approach, portal vein stenting, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation, varices embolization and clinical outcomes including adverse events and control of portal hypertension were analyzed. Technical success was defined as at least partial restoration of the portal vein patency at the final angiogram. Clinical success was defined as the improvement of clinical-laboratory signs of portal hypertension and control for variceal bleeding. Results Fifteen patients (median age = 21 years, range = 59 years; 10 males; 5 children) with portal vein CTO underwent a total of 25 percutaneous revascularization procedures. Nine patients (60%; 5 children, 4 adults) were liver transplant recipients. All patients except one had cavernous transformation of the extra-hepatic portal vein, involving the spleno-mesenteric confluence in 5 cases. Technical success was achieved in 13/15 (87%) patients of whom 8 had portal revascularization through the placement of an extra-hepatic stent; indeed, in six cases, a TIPS was performed to achieve sustained portal vein patency. Embolization of varices and/or cavernoma was performed in 12 patients. Adverse events occurred in 2/15 (splenic artery perforation and hemoperitoneum, one each) managed without sequelae. Technical success led to clinical success in all the 13/15 (87%) cases, with a median follow-up of 20 months (IQR 4–34 months). Conclusion CTO can be managed effectively by interventional radiology. Restored portal flow physiology alone is possible in most patients, while TIPS may be required in a small proportion of them, to prolong portal vein patency and control portal hypertension.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula, a significant complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy, can lead to the development of pseudoaneurysms, which in turn can result in hemorrhagic and septic complications. Here, we present the case of a 67-year-old male patient diagnosed with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent partial pancreatectomy. Ten days postsurgery, the patient experienced hemorrhagic shock due to intraperitoneal bleeding. Emergency exploratory laparotomy and implantation of a stent in the common hepatic artery successfully stopped the bleeding. However, the patient later developed gastrointestinal bleeding, and no apparent source was detected during endoscopic examination. Two complex transcatheter arterial embolization procedures were performed, successfully stopping the bleeding. It is crucial to consider pseudoaneurysm in cases of suspected biliary and pancreatic leakage. This case also underscores the importance of a thorough vascular assessment prior to placing a coated stent, to prevent postoperative obstruction of catheter access to the responsible vessel. Additionally, embolization via the external path of the stent proved feasible.

Mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever is a widely-used technique for recanalizing occluded cerebral arteries in acute ischemic stroke. Although rare, inadvertent stent detachment has primarily been reported with earlier stent retriever designs. We present 2 cases of inadvertent stent detachment with the pRESET stent. In the first case, an elderly patient presented with right middle cerebral artery occlusion and experienced stent detachment during the second retrieval. Despite this, successful recanalization was achieved through balloon angioplasty. In the second case, an elderly patient experienced stent detachment after the third retrieval, and recanalization of the M1 segment was unsuccessful due to the inability to pass the microcatheter. The first patient had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 3, while the second had a poor prognosis with an mRS score of 5. These cases highlight that inadvertent stent detachment can impact outcomes, and balloon angioplasty may serve as a useful salvage therapy.

Introduction: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a bariatric surgical procedure associated with a non-negligible risk of postoperative adverse events, especially fistulas, the majority of which occur at the angle of His. This adverse event requires a multidisciplinary approach involving intensive care, surgery, interventional endoscopy, and radiology. Despite the absence of an algorithmic endoscopic approach, a primarily endoscopic management of fistulas after LSG is now standard of care in most institutions. Case Report: A 66-year-old female with grade III obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension underwent LSG. She developed abdominal pain, hypovolemic shock, and severe anemia (Hb 6.5 g/dL). A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed hemoperitoneum without active bleeding, managed with transfusion of packed blood cells. A week later, a new CT scan performed for leukocytosis and abdominal pain revealed pneumoperitoneum. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 20-mm fistula orifice at the angle of His. A novel esophageal covered metallic stent was placed for a period of 5 weeks. The fistula orifice decreased to 4 mm and communicated through a fistulous tract with a residual subphrenic abscess measuring 62 × 20 mm. Pus was collected from the abscess and drained internally with a 10-Fr double pigtail plastic stent through the fistula orifice. Following an initial period of improvement, clinical deterioration required percutaneous subphrenic abscess drainage. Two weeks later, the double pigtail plastic stent was removed, the fistula orifice was ablated with argon plasma 40W/1L and closed with an over-the-scope clip of 10 mm. Patient improved and was discharged 4 months after the LSG. Conclusion: The Luso-Cor esophageal stent is a specifically designed covered metallic stent with a 5-mm uncovered ring near the proximal edge, which reduces the risk of migration. Two articulating zones in the middle portion allow better adaptation to altered anatomy after LSG and a distal flare reduces retrograde reflux of fluid. This stent overcomes strictures in the gastric tube, concomitantly present in nearly 50% of patients with fistulas after LSG. The novel Luso-Cor esophageal stent provided a bridge to clinical stability with a significant reduction in the size of the fistula orifice which was closed with complementary therapeutic endoscopic procedures.

Background: Vaginal stents play a crucial role in both non-surgical and surgical management of vaginal agenesis. Different types of stents with variable designs and materials have been described in the literature. However, a summary of various stents described in the existing data and their outcome measures needs to be studied. Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify and summarise different types of vaginal stents used for patients with vaginal agenesis, to identify the design and material of different vaginal stents and to assess the benefit of using that specific vaginal stent. Materials and Methods: The literature search was conducted in the PubMed database for articles from 2000 to 2024 in the English language. An exploration of grey literature was also included through Google Scholar. The articles were included only if they clearly described vaginal stent, its material, design and advantage of using that particular stent, and any study not directly related to the research question or in which vaginal stent was used for cases other than vaginal agenesis/Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome/Mullerian aplasia or agenesis were not included in this study. Risk of bias assessment was done using an eight-item tool that included domains of selection, ascertainment, causality and reporting. Results: A total of 133 abstracts appeared in PubMed, of which, 26 titles/abstracts were related to the research question. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, seventeen articles were selected for the review. A total of 905 articles were identified from Google Scholar, of which, 7 were chosen to be included. The literature reports the usage of variable vaginal stents which can be hard, soft, solid or hollow with the option of customisation available. Interpretation: Based on the results of this review, soft stents are better than rigid stents due to increased patient compliance, a critical factor contributing to the success of the treatment. The resilient nature, comfort and lightweight of the silicone material are more suitable than commonly used acrylic material. However, the choice in a particular case may vary. Limitations: The majority of articles included in this review were case reports. As the duration and frequency of usage of stents affect the outcome, studies need to be done to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of stents to come to identify the best design and material for vaginal stents. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42024554676.

Objective To compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ac-LVO) caused by large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and simple arterial embolization. Methods From August 2020 to September 2022, 87 patients with ac - LVO hospitalized in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University were enrolled. All patients were treated with endovascular treatment, including intravenous thrombolysis, stent thrombectomy, aspiration thrombectomy or angioplasty (balloon dilatation or stent implantation). According to intraoperative findings (etiology), they were divided into LAA group (n = 32) and simple arterial embolization group (embolization group, n = 55). The primary outcome was the 90 d modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and the secondary outcomes were postoperative vascular recanalization rate [modified Thrombolysis Cerebral Infarction (mTICI)] and incidence of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage 1 d after surgery. Results The proportions of patients with atrial fibrillation (χ2 = 17.672, P = 0.000) and thrombus retrieval ≥ 3 times (χ2 = 10.606, P = 0.001) in the embolization group were higher than those in the LAA group, the proportion of intravenous thrombolysis in the embolization group was less than that in the LAA group (χ2 = 5.403, P = 0.020). However, the time from onset to operation (Z = 1.111, P = 0.267), the time from admission to operation (Z = 0.149, P = 0.882), preferred surgical approach for endovascular treatment (Fisher's exact probability: P = 0.153), as well as the rate of good prognosis (mRS score ≤ 2; χ2 = 0.004, P = 0.950) and mortality (χ2 = 0.035, P = 0.851) at 90 d after surgery, the rate of postoperative vascular recanalization (mTICI grade ≥ Ⅱb; χ2 = 0.033, P = 0.856) and symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage rate 1 d after surgery (χ2 = 0.345, P = 0.557) for the secondary outcome were observed in both groups, the above differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions The efficacy and prognosis of endovascular treatment of ac-LVO caused by LAA and simple arterial embolization has the same effect and clinical prognosis.

Objective To explore the application value of transnasal endoscopy combined with endovascular treatment in the operation of skull base tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 9 patients who underwent endoscopic transnasal resection of skull base tumors and received endovascular treatment at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2017 to July 2022. To observe the tumor resection and evaluate the postoperative efficacy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma according to the World Health Organization (WHO) solid tumor measurement standards. During the follow- up period, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess postoperative neurological function recovery, and record tumor recurrence or progression. Complications related to endovascular treatment, such as pseudoaneurysm, spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction, were also recorded. Results Among 9 patients, there were 4 patients confirmed donor artery or internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture by DSA before operation, one case underwent spring coil embolization before operation, one case had a carotid catheter sheath inserted in advance during operation, one case had successful hemostasis with spring coil embolization during operation, one case had successful hemostasis with covered stent implantation during operation, 4 cases had ICA rupture confirmed by DSA during operation, and one case had successful hemostasis with spring coil embolization after DSA confirmation of ICA rupture. The total resection rate was 8/9. During a follow - up of 32.00 (25.00, 48.50) months, all patients did not experience tumor recurrence or progression. At the last follow -up, the GOS scores were 4-5, indicating good recovery of neurological function. A patient with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent immunotherapy had a recurrent pseudoaneurysm at the distal end of the ICA covered with a stent implanted in the petrous segment. Three months after the stent implantation, the patient underwent external carotid artery - radial artery - middle cerebral artery bypass surgery to successfully stop the bleeding without any postoperative complications. The remaining 8 patients did not experience complications such as spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm. All patients did not experience complications such as cerebral infarction. Conclusions Evdovascular treatment is helpful in evaluating the relationship between skull base tumors and surrounding blood vessels before endoscopic transnasal resection of skull base tumors. It can effectively block the donor artery, reduce the probability of intraoperative bleeding, effectively treat the rupture of large blood vessels, and reduce the occurrence of serious complications. The efficacy and safety are both high.

Background Methods Results Conclusions Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS‐HGS) using a fully covered metal stent (FCMS) or partially covered metal stent (PCMS) is performed to manage unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) following unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This study aimed to compare FCMS and PCMS for EUS‐HGS in patients with MBO.We reviewed the EUS database to analyze consecutive patients with MBO who underwent EUS‐HGS between November 2017 and March 2023. We performed a 1:1 matching using propensity score matching based on potential confounding factors. Stent patency, technical success, clinical success, adverse events, reintervention, and overall survival were assessed.The technical success rate of EUS‐HGS was 92% (123/134). A total of 80 patients with technical success (40 FCMS, 40 PCMS) were selected after propensity score matching. The two groups showed similar rates of clinical success (90% vs. 88%; P = 0.999), early adverse events (15% vs. 20%; P = 0.556), late adverse events (18% vs. 33%; P = 0.121), reintervention (20% vs. 38%; P = 0.084), and median overall survival (4.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–5.5] vs. 3.8 months [95% CI 1.9–5.7]; P = 0.609). During follow‐up, the FCMS group showed higher patency rates (85% vs. 60% at 6 months; 76% vs. 43% at 12 months; P = 0.030).FCMS and PCMS for EUS‐HGS in patients with unresectable MBO showed similar rates of clinical success, as well as early and late adverse events. However, the FCMS group showed a higher cumulative stent patency rate compared to the PCMS group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the portal vein is one of the main causes of portal hypertension, which may result in life-threatening complications often managed by interventional radiology (IR). The aim of this study is to report the innovative experience with percutaneous revascularization therapy in the management of portal vein CTO in paediatric and adult patients. Materials and methods: From January 2020 to December 2023 consecutive paediatric and adult patients with severe portal hypertension resulting from portal vein CTO who underwent attempts at percutaneous recanalization were retrospectively reviewed. Technical aspects including the percutaneous approach, portal vein stenting, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation, varices embolization and clinical outcomes including adverse events and control of portal hypertension were analyzed. Technical success was defined as at least partial restoration of the portal vein patency at the final angiogram. Clinical success was defined as the improvement of clinical-laboratory signs of portal hypertension and control for variceal bleeding. Results: Fifteen patients (median age = 21 years, range = 59 years; 10 males; 5 children) with portal vein CTO underwent a total of 25 percutaneous revascularization procedures. Nine patients (60%; 5 children, 4 adults) were liver transplant recipients. All patients except one had cavernous transformation of the extra-hepatic portal vein, involving the spleno-mesenteric confluence in 5 cases. Technical success was achieved in 13/15 (87%) patients of whom 8 had portal revascularization through the placement of an extra-hepatic stent; indeed, in six cases, a TIPS was performed to achieve sustained portal vein patency. Embolization of varices and/or cavernoma was performed in 12 patients. Adverse events occurred in 2/15 (splenic artery perforation and hemoperitoneum, one each) managed without sequelae. Technical success led to clinical success in all the 13/15 (87%) cases, with a median follow-up of 20 months (IQR 4–34 months). Conclusion: CTO can be managed effectively by interventional radiology. Restored portal flow physiology alone is possible in most patients, while TIPS may be required in a small proportion of them, to prolong portal vein patency and control portal hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE), a new intimal tear at the distal edge of the frozen elephant trunk (FET), is a complication of FET. Preventive measures for dSINE have not yet been established. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the development of dSINE by simulating the mechanical environment at the distal edge of the FET. METHODS The stress field in the aortic wall after FET deployment was calculated using finite element analysis. Blood flow in the intraluminal space of the aorta and FET models was simulated using computational fluid dynamics. The simulations were conducted with various oversizing rates of FET ranging from 0 to 30% under the condition of FET with elastic recoil. RESULTS The elastic recoil of the FET, which caused its distal edge to push against the greater curvature of the aorta, induced a concentration of circumferential stress and increased wall shear stress (WSS) at the aorta. Elastic recoil also created a discontinuous notch on the lesser curvature of the aorta, causing flow stagnation. An increase in the oversizing rate of the FET widened the large circumferential stress area on the greater curvature and increases the maximum stress. Conversely, a decrease in the oversizing rate of the FET increased the WSS and widened the area with high WSS. CONCLUSIONS Circumferential stress concentration due to an oversized FET and high WSS due to an undersized FET can cause a dSINE. The selection of smaller-sized FET alone might not prevent dSINE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Double-kissing (DK) crush and DK culotte are the recommended 2-stent strategies in true coronary bifurcation lesions. However, it is a matter of curiosity about which of the DK crush and DK culotte stenting techniques will have superior results. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of DK crush and DK culotte stenting in nonleft main coronary artery bifurcation. METHODS: Consecutive patients who received DK crush or DK culotte technique for de novo true nonleft main coronary artery bifurcation lesion were categorized according to which treatment they received. The primary end point of the study was target lesion failure as a composite end point of target lesion revascularization, target vessel myocardial infarction, and cardiac death. Secondary end points were all-cause death and definite stent thrombosis. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients were categorized as DK crush (101 patients) or DK culotte (101 patients) techniques. The target lesion failure had occurred frequently in the DK crush (10.9%) compared with the DK culotte (3.0%; P=0.028) that was mainly driven by increased target lesion revascularization (9.9% in the DK crush versus 3.0% in the DK culotte; P=0.045). The number of patients with target vessel myocardial infarction (3.0% in the DK crush versus 2.0% in the DK culotte; P=0.651) and cardiac death (1.0% in the DK crush versus 0.0% in the DK culotte; P=0.315) was higher in the DK crush. There were no differences in terms of definite stent thrombosis and all-cause death between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the present analysis, DK culotte was associated with lower 1-year target lesion failure rates compared with DK crush in true nonleft main coronary artery bifurcations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever is a widely-used technique for recanalizing occluded cerebral arteries in acute ischemic stroke. Although rare, inadvertent stent detachment has primarily been reported with earlier stent retriever designs. We present 2 cases of inadvertent stent detachment with the pRESET stent. In the first case, an elderly patient presented with right middle cerebral artery occlusion and experienced stent detachment during the second retrieval. Despite this, successful recanalization was achieved through balloon angioplasty. In the second case, an elderly patient experienced stent detachment after the third retrieval, and recanalization of the M1 segment was unsuccessful due to the inability to pass the microcatheter. The first patient had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 3, while the second had a poor prognosis with an mRS score of 5. These cases highlight that inadvertent stent detachment can impact outcomes, and balloon angioplasty may serve as a useful salvage therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To evaluate the safety, efficacy, tolerability, and cost‐effectiveness of bedside or office‐based ureteric stent insertion.Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses‐Protocols (PRISMA‐P) and A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 guidelines, we searched PubMed/the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), the Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Dimensions for English‐language studies from 1978 to April 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on primary ureteric stent placements outside of the operating theatre (OT).A total of 15 studies involving 2072 stents were included. Success rates for correctly positioned stents in bedside or office‐based insertions ranged from 60% to 95.8%, with most studies reporting ≥80% success rates. Common failure reasons included impacted stones and difficulty identifying the ureteric orifice. Pain and tolerability were assessed using various methods, with validated tools indicating moderate pain levels, but most patients would undergo the procedure again under local anaesthesia. Complication rates were generally low, with minor complications such as haematuria or postoperative fever being the most common. Procedural costs were significantly lower in non‐OT settings, with estimates indicating savings of up to four‐fold.Bedside or office‐based ureteric stent insertion is a viable alternative to OT procedures, offering high success rates, manageable pain levels, low complication rates, and substantial cost savings. This approach is particularly advantageous in settings with limited OT access, highlighting its potential for broader adoption in urological practice. Future research should focus on standardising pain assessment methods and randomised studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, biodegradable implants have begun to become a serious alternative to permanent implant groups. Especially the development of polymer material technology can be an alternative to metallic medical instruments. An innovative manufacturing method for the fabricated of these polymeric implants is melt electrowriting (MEW). This innovative method, which emerged as a result of studies on the production quality of additive manufacturing technology, is used in products with smaller and more complex geometries, such as stents. It is anticipated that this method, which is particularly convenient for patient-specific implant models, will have an important place in the implant production market in the future. Within the framework of this perspective, in this study, a study was conducted on the polycarbolactone group using the MEW method. In order to improve the biodegradability character, biodegradability experiments of chitosandoped stents were conducted in vitro. The degradation character of the samples subjected to immersion corrosion in two different media for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days was examined based on residual mass. It has been determined that chitosan reinforcement has a buffering effect and plays a retarding role on the degradation time. When the degradation rates were examined, it was determined that the polycarbolactone stent immersed in artificial body fluid for 21 days experienced the maximum mass loss of 1.6×10-2 gr. The value measured for this stent at the end of the first day was 5.8×10-4 gr. At the end of 21 days, the minimum loss was obtained for the chitosan-doped polycarbolactone stent in artificial body fluid (7.98×10-3 gr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]