As lesões estenóticas ou oclusivas das artérias renais podem levar à isquemia do parênquima renal com conseqüente hipertensão arterial (hipertensão arterial renovascular) e perda de função renal (nefropatia isquêmica). Estas duas entidades podem ser tratadas por medicamentos, cirurgia ou angioplastia transluminal percutânea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o sucesso técnico e funcional da angioplastia em lesões estenóticas ou oclusivas das artérias renais em doentes portadores de hipertensão arterial renovascular e nefropatia isquêmica. Tratamos 131 doentes hipertensos com ou sem alteração da função renal (55 do sexo masculino e 76 feminino), que apresentavam 191 artérias renais comprometidas (148 estenoses e 43 oclusões) e com média de idade de 45,83 ± 17,4 anos (4 a 77 anos). A etiologia da lesão da artéria renal foi a aterosclerose em 65 doentes (49,61%), displasia fibromuscular em 41 (31,29%), arterite de Takayasu em 13 (9,92%) e outras causas em 12 (9,16%). O nível sérico de creatinina era normal em 70 (53,43%) e alterado em 61 (46,58%). O sucesso técnico foi obtido em 93 doentes (70,99%) e em 123 artérias renais (75,46%). O seguimento foi, em média, de quatro anos (2 a 8 anos), sendo que ao final deste período houve redução de 37,80 ± 33,46 mmHg e 28,66 ± 24,74 mmHg nos níveis da PA sistólica e diastólica, respectivamente. Houve cura da hipertensão arterial em nove doentes (11,25%), melhora em 59 (73,75%), permaneceu inalterada em oito (10%) e piorou em quatro (5%). A função renal ficou normal em 36 doentes (45%), melhorou em 11 (13,75%), manteve-se em 26 (32,5%) e piorou em sete (8,75%). Houve recidiva em 14 casos (17,5%), sendo 11 casos (78,57%) tratados com sucesso com nova angioplastia. Conclusão: consideramos que a angioplastia transluminal percutânea pode ser indicada como opção para o tratamento das lesões estenóticas e/ou oclusivas das artérias renais nos doentes com hipertensão renovascular e nefropatia isquêmica / The occlusive and stenotic lesions of the renal arteries can lead to a renal parenchyma ischemia with vascular hypertension resultant (reno vascular hypertension) and loss of renal function (nephropathy ischemic). These two conditions can be treated by medications, surgery or Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA). The objective of this work was assessing the technical and functional success of PTA in stenotic or occlusive lesions of renal arteries in patients having renovascular hypertension and nephropathy ischemic. We treated 131 hypertensive ill people with or without alteration in the renal function (55 males and 76 females) who presented 191 damaged renal arteries (148 stenosis and 43 occlusions) and age range of 45.83+ 17.4 years old (4 to 77 years old). The etiology of the lesion in the renal artery was atherosclerosis in 65 ill people (49.61%), fibro muscular dysplasia in 41 (31.29%), Takayasu\'s disease in 13 (9.92%), and other causes in 12 (9.16%). The plasma creatinine level was normal in 70 (53.43%) and altered in 61 (46.58%). The technical success was obtained in 93 ill people (70.99%) and in 123 renal arteries (75.46%). The follow-up lasted in average for 4 years (2 to 8 years), in which the end of the period there was a decrease of 37.80+33.46 mmHg and 28.66+24.74 mmHg in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels respectively. There was a cure of artery hypertension in 9 ill people (11.25%), better results in 59 (73.75%), no alteration in 8 (10%) and worsening in 4 (5%). The plasma creatinine level increased in 10% (SD), although the renal function remained normal in 36 ill people (45%), better in 11 (13.75%), remained the same in 26 (32.5%) and got worse in 7 (8.75%). There was a reoccurrence in 14 cases (17.5%), in which 11 cases (78.57%) were treated successfully with new PTA. Conclusion: it was considered that PTA can be indicated as an option for the treatment of stenotic and occlusive lesions of the renal arteries in ill people with renovascular hypertension and nephropathy ischemic

As lesões estenóticas ou oclusivas das artérias renais podem levar à isquemia do parênquima renal com conseqüente hipertensão arterial (hipertensão arterial renovascular) e perda de função renal (nefropatia isquêmica). Estas duas entidades podem ser tratadas por medicamentos, cirurgia ou angioplastia transluminal percutânea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o sucesso técnico e funcional da angioplastia em lesões estenóticas ou oclusivas das artérias renais em doentes portadores de hipertensão arterial renovascular e nefropatia isquêmica. Tratamos 131 doentes hipertensos com ou sem alteração da função renal (55 do sexo masculino e 76 feminino), que apresentavam 191 artérias renais comprometidas (148 estenoses e 43 oclusões) e com média de idade de 45,83 ± 17,4 anos (4 a 77 anos). A etiologia da lesão da artéria renal foi a aterosclerose em 65 doentes (49,61%), displasia fibromuscular em 41 (31,29%), arterite de Takayasu em 13 (9,92%) e outras causas em 12 (9,16%). O nível sérico de creatinina era normal em 70 (53,43%) e alterado em 61 (46,58%). O sucesso técnico foi obtido em 93 doentes (70,99%) e em 123 artérias renais (75,46%). O seguimento foi, em média, de quatro anos (2 a 8 anos), sendo que ao final deste período houve redução de 37,80 ± 33,46 mmHg e 28,66 ± 24,74 mmHg nos níveis da PA sistólica e diastólica, respectivamente. Houve cura da hipertensão arterial em nove doentes (11,25%), melhora em 59 (73,75%), permaneceu inalterada em oito (10%) e piorou em quatro (5%). A função renal ficou normal em 36 doentes (45%), melhorou em 11 (13,75%), manteve-se em 26 (32,5%) e piorou em sete (8,75%). Houve recidiva em 14 casos (17,5%), sendo 11 casos (78,57%) tratados com sucesso com nova angioplastia. Conclusão: consideramos que a angioplastia transluminal percutânea pode ser indicada como opção para o tratamento das lesões estenóticas e/ou oclusivas das artérias renais nos doentes com hipertensão renovascular e nefropatia isquêmica / The occlusive and stenotic lesions of the renal arteries can lead to a renal parenchyma ischemia with vascular hypertension resultant (reno vascular hypertension) and loss of renal function (nephropathy ischemic). These two conditions can be treated by medications, surgery or Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA). The objective of this work was assessing the technical and functional success of PTA in stenotic or occlusive lesions of renal arteries in patients having renovascular hypertension and nephropathy ischemic. We treated 131 hypertensive ill people with or without alteration in the renal function (55 males and 76 females) who presented 191 damaged renal arteries (148 stenosis and 43 occlusions) and age range of 45.83+ 17.4 years old (4 to 77 years old). The etiology of the lesion in the renal artery was atherosclerosis in 65 ill people (49.61%), fibro muscular dysplasia in 41 (31.29%), Takayasu\'s disease in 13 (9.92%), and other causes in 12 (9.16%). The plasma creatinine level was normal in 70 (53.43%) and altered in 61 (46.58%). The technical success was obtained in 93 ill people (70.99%) and in 123 renal arteries (75.46%). The follow-up lasted in average for 4 years (2 to 8 years), in which the end of the period there was a decrease of 37.80+33.46 mmHg and 28.66+24.74 mmHg in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels respectively. There was a cure of artery hypertension in 9 ill people (11.25%), better results in 59 (73.75%), no alteration in 8 (10%) and worsening in 4 (5%). The plasma creatinine level increased in 10% (SD), although the renal function remained normal in 36 ill people (45%), better in 11 (13.75%), remained the same in 26 (32.5%) and got worse in 7 (8.75%). There was a reoccurrence in 14 cases (17.5%), in which 11 cases (78.57%) were treated successfully with new PTA. Conclusion: it was considered that PTA can be indicated as an option for the treatment of stenotic and occlusive lesions of the renal arteries in ill people with renovascular hypertension and nephropathy ischemic

<p>Infrainguinal bypass grafting is an established method in the treatment of patients with femoropopliteal and crural occlusive disease leading to critical lower limb ischaemia (CLI). However, complications related to surgical procedure are not negligible and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has emerged as an alternative. The present thesis covers some aspects of infrainguinal PTA in patients with chronic severe lower limb ischaemia.</p><p>The records of 217 patients undergoing 272 PTA procedures at various infrainguinal arterial segments were analysed. The indication for intervention was subcritical ischaemia in 76 limbs and critical ischaemia in 177 limbs. The role of duplex ultrasound examination in the selection of patients for PTA was retrospectively evaluated following a prospective validation of the method against angiography.</p><p>A technically successful PTA was achieved in 89%. The overall 30-day mortality was 2.7%. No patient underwent amputation directly related to failed PTA. The primary success rates at 12 and 60 months following femoropopliteal PTA were 40% and 27% compared, to 51% and 36% in limbs undergoing crural artery PTA. Primary success rate in limbs with SFA occlusion longer than 5 cm was only 12% after 5 years, compared to 32% if the occlusion was equal or less than 5 cm in length (p<0.01). In patients undergoing distal PTA through patent infrainguinal grafts, the primary and primary assisted patency rates at 3 years were 32% and 53%, respectively. The sensitivity of duplex scanning in the selection of lesions for PTA was less satisfactory in the popliteal and crural arteries compared to the superficial femoral arteries.</p><p>In conclusion, the results of infrainguinal PTA performed for treatment of subcritical or CLI seemed to be inferior to the results of surgical interventions reported in the literature. However, due to the fact that the PTA procedure does not preclude the performance of bypass grafting, it might be an alternative to surgical intervention in limbs with stenotic or short occlusive lesions.</p>

Infrainguinal bypass grafting is an established method in the treatment of patients with femoropopliteal and crural occlusive disease leading to critical lower limb ischaemia (CLI). However, complications related to surgical procedure are not negligible and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has emerged as an alternative. The present thesis covers some aspects of infrainguinal PTA in patients with chronic severe lower limb ischaemia. The records of 217 patients undergoing 272 PTA procedures at various infrainguinal arterial segments were analysed. The indication for intervention was subcritical ischaemia in 76 limbs and critical ischaemia in 177 limbs. The role of duplex ultrasound examination in the selection of patients for PTA was retrospectively evaluated following a prospective validation of the method against angiography. A technically successful PTA was achieved in 89%. The overall 30-day mortality was 2.7%. No patient underwent amputation directly related to failed PTA. The primary success rates at 12 and 60 months following femoropopliteal PTA were 40% and 27% compared, to 51% and 36% in limbs undergoing crural artery PTA. Primary success rate in limbs with SFA occlusion longer than 5 cm was only 12% after 5 years, compared to 32% if the occlusion was equal or less than 5 cm in length (p&lt;0.01). In patients undergoing distal PTA through patent infrainguinal grafts, the primary and primary assisted patency rates at 3 years were 32% and 53%, respectively. The sensitivity of duplex scanning in the selection of lesions for PTA was less satisfactory in the popliteal and crural arteries compared to the superficial femoral arteries. In conclusion, the results of infrainguinal PTA performed for treatment of subcritical or CLI seemed to be inferior to the results of surgical interventions reported in the literature. However, due to the fact that the PTA procedure does not preclude the performance of bypass grafting, it might be an alternative to surgical intervention in limbs with stenotic or short occlusive lesions.

Purpose. The primary objective was to compare primary and secondary patency, number of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) interventions and cost-effectiveness among PTA, deployment of a stent, or a stent graft in the treatment of failing arteriovenous dialysis grafts. The secondary objective was to compare the residual diameter at the site of dialysis shunt stenosis using sonography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either PTA, placement of a stent or stent graft. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months or when requested by the physician. Residual diameter of a dialysis shunt stenosis was measured in 20 patients with significant stenosis by ultrasonography and on an angiogram from DSA. Results. During a median follow-up of 22.4 months patients with PTA, stent, or stent graft required 3.1±1.7, 2.5±1.7, or 1.7±2.1 (P=0.031) secondary PTA interventions. The primary patency rates were 0%, 18%, and 65% at 12 months and 0%, 18%, and 37% at 24 months in the PTA, stent, and stent graft group respectively (P<0.0001). The cost of the procedures was €7,900±€3,300 in PTA group, €8,500±€4,500 in stent group, and €7,500±€6,200 in stent graft group (P=0.45). The mean residual diameter measured by ultrasonography and DSA was...

Die Thrombozytenaktivierung ist von zentraler Bedeutung für die Pathogenese der Arteriosklerose und wird bei Patienten mit instabiler Angina pectoris, Myokardinfarkt und TIA sowie nach koronarangioplastischen und operativen Eingriffen als Verursacher okklusiver vaskulärer Ereignisse in Betracht gezogen. Wir gingen der Frage nach, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen peripherer arterieller Verschlußkrankheit (PAVK) und der Aktivierung zirkulierender Thrombozyten besteht und ob die intraarterielle digitale Subtraktionsangiographie (DSA) sowie die perkutane transluminale Angioplastie (PTA) im Bereich der unteren Extremitäten die Aktivierung zirkulierender Plättchen beeinflussen. Unsere Studie schloß 16 Kontrollprobanden mit PAVK, 25 gesunde Kontrollprobanden und 36 Patienten ein, von denen 14 einer DSA, 12 einer PTA und 10 beiden Eingriffen unterzogen wurden. Wir entnahmen Blutproben aus einer peripheren Vene oder aus Einführungsbestecken in der Arteria und Vena femoralis vor, direkt nach und 4 h nach den Interventionen. Die Plättchenaktivierung wurde anhand durchflußzytometrischer Messungen der Expression aktivierungsspezifischer Antigene (CD62 und CD63) bestimmt, die Sensibilität der Thrombozyten analysierten wir mittels einer zusätzlichen in-vitro-Aktivierung. Wir beobachteten 4 h nach der DSA einen Abfall der Aktivierung und eine erhöhte Sensibilität von Plättchen im arteriellen und venösen Strombereich (p < 0,02). Wir sehen diese Wirkungen als Kontrastmittel(KM)-induziert an und führen die Abnahme der Relativzahl aktivierter Thrombozyten hauptsächlich auf ihre verkürzte Lebensdauer zurück. 4 h nach der PTA kam es arteriell und venös zu einem Abfall der Relativzahl aktivierter Thrombozyten (p < 0,02). Weiterhin beobachteten wir unmittelbar nach der PTA eine Verringerung des prozentualen Anteils aktivierter Plättchen in der arteriellen Zirkulation (p = 0,021) in Korrelation mit zunehmenden Dilatationszeiten und Ballonlängen (p < 0,03). Diese Beobachtungen führen wir auf eine geringe Anlagerung bzw. reduzierte Lebensdauer aktivierter Thrombozyten zurück. Von geringer quantitativer Bedeutung waren Einflüsse des Heparins und KM. Die Wirkung der DSA und PTA auf die Thrombozytenfunktionen schien sich in den 4 postinterventionellen Stunden abzuschwächen. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Angioplastie in peripheren Gefäßen eine Aktivierung und vermutlich geringe Anlagerung bzw. verkürzte Lebensdauer zirkulierender Plättchen unmittelbar nach der PTA und 4 Stunden später verursacht. Diese Prozesse führen wir in erster Linie auf Endothelläsionen als Folge der Dilatation zurück. Die DSA führt 4 h nach dem Eingriff zu einer Aktivierung, Sensibilisierung und in wahrscheinlich sehr geringem Umfang zu einer Anlagerung bzw. verringerten Lebensdauer der Plättchen. PAVK-Patienten im Stadium II nach Fontaine mit kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren wiesen im Vergleich zu gesunden Probanden eine höhere Relativzahl aktivierter und sensibilisierter Plättchen auf (p = 0,0001). Deshalb vermuten wir, daß präinterventionell aktivierte Plättchen besonders in die Prozesse Aktivierung, Sensibilisierung und Anlagerung involviert bzw. von einer verkürzten Lebensdauer betroffen sind. / Platelet activation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of artherosclerosis. Circulating activated platelets are thought to trigger thrombotic events in patients with instable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and transient ischaemic attacks as well as after coronary angioplasty and surgery. We studied the effect of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on activation of circulating thrombocytes and evaluated the influence on platelet activation of intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the area of the lower extremities. Our study included sixteen control subjects with PAD, twenty-five healthy control subjects and thirty-six patients, fourteen of whom were undergoing DSA, twelve were undergoing PTA and ten we examined during both interventions. Blood samples were obtained from a peripheral vein or from the arterial and venous catheter introducer before and directly and four ours after the procedures. To characterize platelet activation, the expression of activation-dependent platelet antigens (CD62 and CD63) was measured using flow cytometry. Platelet sensibility was analysed by an additional in-vitro-activation. Four hours after DSA, we observed a decrease in activation and an increase in sensibility of thrombocytes in both arterial and venous circulation (p < 0.02), most likely due the contrast medium (CM). We assume, that the relative decrease of platelet activation is caused by a reduced life-time. The relative number of activated thrombocytes decreased in both arterial and venous circulation (p < 0.02) four hours after PTA. Furthermore, we observed reduced amounts of activated platelets in the arterial circulation (p = 0.021) immediately after PTA, in correlation with increased times of dilatation and larger ballon-catheters (p < 0.03). This could be explained by slight migration or shortened life-time of activated thrombocytes. The amount of CM and heparin did not have a pronounced effect. The influence of both interventions on the platelet features and functions seemed to attenuate in the four postinterventional hours. Our results show that angioplasty in peripheral vessels causes activation and presumably slight migration or reduced life-time of circulating thrombocytes immediately and four hours after PTA. We postulate that this is mainly induced by dilatation. DSA was also found to be associated with platelet activation, sensibilisation and presumptive minor migration or shortened life-time of circulating platelets. More activated and sensitized thrombocytes circulated in patients with PAD (clinical stage II according to Fontaine) with cardiovascular risk-factors compared to healthy control subjects (p = 0.001). This supports our assumption that preactivated platelets are particularly involved in activation, sensitizing and migration processes or affected by a reduced life-time.

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...