Ultrasound guided percutaneous catheterization of the brachiocephalic vein by small caliber catheter: An alternative to epicutaneo-caval catheter in newborn and premature infants

Background: Umbilical Venous Catheter (UVC) and Epicutaneo-Caval Catheters (ECC) are reference catheters in the neonatal period. However, many factors such as the corpulence of neonates, poor venous capital, and anatomical variants can complicate ECC insertion or make it impossible. In newborns with failed ECC insertion, we developed an hybrid technique that combines the insertion of a long-lasting silicone or polyurethane small caliber catheter, usually used as a ECC in newborns, with the ease and speed of ultrasound guided puncture of the brachiocephalic vein (BCV). Methods: Three years retrospective single center experience of ultrasound guided BCV insertion of silicon or polyurethane small caliber central catheter in a tertiary neonatal intensive care in case of insertion fail of ECC. Results: Twenty-one echo guided BCV-ECC insertions were performed in 20 newborns. Median age was 16 days (range: 0–110 days), median weight was 1700 g (range: 605–4960 g) at insertion. In most cases, insertion was on the left side (17/21). No failures were noted. Only one attempt was necessary in all cases. Insertion time, when noted, was always of <45 min. The median duration of use of these catheters was 11 days (range 3–35 days). No complication was noted during insertion or catheter use, including catheter-related infections and thrombosis. Conclusion: Echo guided percutaneous catheterization of the brachiocephalic vein with a long lasting silicone or polyurethane small caliber catheter is a safe alternative to the ECC if insertion has failed. However, it requires a mastery of ultrasound-guided insertion technique in term and premature neonates.

CORONARY ARTERY FISTULA IN ELDERLY PATIENT WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Coronary artery fistulas are congenital or acquired abnormality connections between coronary arteries and other structures. Most patients with coronary fistulas are asymptomatic. An 80-year-old man complained of exercise-induced chest pain. A coronary angiogram on PCI and CTA confirmed stenosis on LAD and a large fistula between the coronary artery and the anterior side of the main pulmonary artery. A transcatheter procedure was successfully conducted. In patients with symptomatic fistula or cases with a complication, cardiac intervention is recommended as the primary treatment. Percutaneous catheterization is the preferred treatment.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Study from a Developing Country

Introduction. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a worldwide known complication related to the use of contrast media with either imaging or angiography; it carries its own complications and effect on both morbidity and mortality; early identification of patients at risk and addressing modifiable risk factors may help reducing risk for this disease and its complications. Methods. This was a prospective observational study, where all patients admitted for cardiac catheterization between June 2015 and January 2016 were evaluated for CI-AKI. There were two study groups: contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) group, and noncontrast-induced acute kidney injury (non-CI-AKI) group. Results. Patients ( n = 202 ) were included and followed up for 4 years. Death and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) need for another revascularization were the end points. The incidence of CI-AKI was 14.8%.In univariate analysis, age ( P = 0.016 ) and serum albumin at admission ( P = 0.001 ) were statistically significant predictors of overall death. Age ( P = 0.002 ), HTN ( P = 0.002 ), DM ( P = 0.02 ), and the use of diuretics ( P = 0.001 ) had a statistically significant impact on eGFR. The rate of recatheterization was not statistically significant between the two groups (61 (35.5%) for the non-CI-AKI vs. 12 (40%) for the other group; P = 0.63 ). Some inflammatory markers (NGAL P = 0.06 , IL-19 P = 0.08 ) and serum albumin at admission P = 0.07 had a trend toward a statistically significant impact on recatheterization. Death ( P = 0.66 ) and need for recatheterization ( P = 0.63 ) were not statistically different between the 2 groups, while the rate of eGFR decline in for the CI-AKI was significant ( P = 0.004 ). Conclusion. CI-AKI is a common complication post percutaneous catheterization (PCI), which may increase the risk for CKD, but not death or the need for recatheterization. Preventive measures must be taken early to decrease the morbidity.

Embolized Guidewire into Central Aorta: A Nightmare in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

A 4-month-old preterm, critically ill infant weighing 3.8 kg was admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit with congestive cardiac failure due to a large ventricular septal defect and its sequelae. During an attempt to insert a central line into the right subclavian vein at bedside, the guidewire inadvertently entered the subclavian artery and embolized distally. After multiple failed retrieval attempts, including surgical femoral cut-down to retrieve the wire, it was removed finally by fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous catheterization with the help of a cardiac bioptome and a gooseneck snare utilizing a novel maneuver.

Percutaneous versus Cut-Down Technique for Indwelling Port Placement

The superiority of surgical cut-down of the cephalic vein versus percutaneous catheterization of the subclavian vein for the insertion of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) is debated. To compare the safety and efficacy of surgical cut-down versus percutaneous placement of TIVADs. This is a single-institution retrospective cohort study of oncologic patients who had TIVADs implanted by 14 surgeons. Primary outcomes were inability to place TIVAD by the primary approach and postoperative complications within 30 days. Multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression. Secondary outcomes included operative time. Two hundred and forty-seven (55.9%) percutaneous and 195 (44.1%) cephalic cut-down patients were identified. The 30-day complication rate was 5.2 per cent: 14 patients (5.7%) in the percutaneous and nine (4.6%) in the cut-down group. The technique was not a significant predictor of having a 30-day complication (odds ratio = 0.820; 95% confidence interval 0.342–1.879). Implantation failure was observed in 16 percutaneous patients (6.5%) and 28 cut-down patients (14.4%) (adjusted odds ratio for cephalic vs cut-down = 2.387; 95% confidence interval 1.275–4.606). The median operative time for percutaneous patients was 46 minutes (interquartile range = 35, 59) versus 37.5 minutes (interquartile range = 30, 49) for cut-down patients(P < 0.0001). Both the percutaneous and cut-down technique are safe and effective for TIVAD implantation. Operative times were shorter and the odds of implantation failure higher for cephalic cut-down. As implantation failure is common, surgeons should familiarize themselves with both techniques.