Técnicas endovasculares para colocação de cateteres de longa permanência para quimioterapia

PURPOSE: To analyze the results from using endovascular techniques to place long-term chemotherapy catheters when advancing the catheter using the external jugular vein is difficult due to obstructions or kinking. METHODS: Between July 1997 and August 2000, 320 long-term chemotherapy catheters were placed, and in 220 cases the external jugular vein was used as the primary venous approach. In 18 of these patients, correct positioning was not achieved and several endovascular techniques were then utilized to overcome these obstacles, including manipulation of a J-wire with a moveable core, venography, and the exchange wire technique. RESULTS: In 94.5% of the patients with difficulties in obtaining the correct positioning, we were able to advance the long-term catheter to the desired position with the assistance of endovascular techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Venography and endovascular guidance techniques are useful for the placement of long-term catheters in the external jugular vein.OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados da utilização de técnicas endovasculares na colocação de cateteres de longa permanência para quimioterapia quando a progressão do cateter através da veia jugular externa é dificultada devido a obstruções ou tortuosidades. MÉTODOS: Entre Junho de 1997 e Agosto de 2000, foram colocados 320 cateteres de longa permanência para quimioterapia, e, em 220 casos a veia jugular externa foi utilizada como acesso venoso primário. Em 18 desses pacientes, o correto posicionamento não foi conseguido sendo então utilizadas várias técnicas endovasculares para superar os obstáculos incluindo o uso de fio guia com ponta em J, flebografia e troca de cateteres. RESULTADOS: Em 94,5% dos pacientes com dificuldades para obtermos o correto posicionamento, foi conseguida a progressão do cateter de longa permanência até o posicionamento desejado com a assistência de técnicas endovasculares. CONCLUSÃO: A Flebografia e a técnica endovascular são úteis para a colocação de cateteres de longa permanência através da veia jugular extern

Comparação entre ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância nuclear magnética com medidas intra-operatórias na avaliação dos aneurismas de aorta abdominal

PURPOSE: To study the imaging exams more commonly used for abdominal aortic aneurysms evaluation - ultrasonography, conventional computerized tomography, helical computerized tomography and nuclear magnetic angioresonance - comparing the preoperative measurements reached by those radiological methods with the measurements made during the surgical procedures. METHODS: Patients who had indication of elective transperitoneal surgical treatment for their abdominal aortic aneurysms were included in the study. The initial diagnosis of the aortic dilatation was made by ultrasonography and, after the surgical treatment was indicated, the patient was submitted to another imaging method. Sixty patients were divided into 3 groups according to the complementary imaging method (conventional computerised tomography, helical computerized tomography, nuclear magnetic angioresonance). The ultrasonography of the first 20 patients were joined in a fourth group. There were considered in the study the measurements of the transversal diameter of the proximal neck, maximum transversal diameter of the aneurysm, straight-line length and transversal diameter of the common iliac arteries given by the imaging methods. The same measurements were made by using a caliper during the surgical procedure, and then compared to the values obtained from the radiological exams. RESULTS: The maximum transverse diameter had a range measurement variation of 4.5 to 13.6 cm in the intraoperative, with no statistically significant differences when compared with all the imaging tests. The ultrasonography, however, overestimated the measurements of the proximal neck and the common iliac arteries, in comparison with intraoperative measures. The length of the aorta aneurysm obtained by the conventional computerized tomography was significantly lower if compared to the measures done with the calliper during the operation. The helical computerized tomography and the nuclear magnetic angioresonance provided measurements with no significant differences in the statistic view when compared to the intraoperative measures. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is a reliable method for the diagnosis and follow-up of the aorta abdominal aneurysms, but insufficient for endovascular surgery planning. The conventional computed tomography can provoke distortion in the length measurements of the aorta dilatation. Helical computed tomography and nuclear magnetic angioresonance provided precise measurements of all the studied parameters, being of great utility for surgical planning.OBJETIVO: Estudar os métodos mais freqüentemente empregados na avaliação dos aneurismas de aorta abdominal - ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada convencional, tomografia computadorizada helicoidal e angio-ressonância nuclear magnética - comparando as medidas fornecidas por estes exames radiológicos no pré-operatório com medidas realizadas durante a operação. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes portadores de aneurisma da aorta abdominal com indicação de tratamento cirúrgico eletivo por via transperitoneal. O diagnóstico inicial da dilatação aórtica foi feito com ultra-sonografia e, uma vez indicado o tratamento cirúrgico, era então solicitado um outro exame radiológico complementar, já que não é nossa rotina operar esses pacientes com base apenas na ultra-sonografia. Sessenta pacientes foram divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o exame complementar realizado (tomografia computadorizada convencional, tomografia computadorizada helicoidal ou angio-ressonância nuclear magnética). As ultra-sonografias dos 20 primeiros pacientes foram incluídas em um 4° grupo. Analisamos neste estudo as medidas do colo proximal da aorta, o diâmetro transverso máximo e o comprimento do aneurisma, além do diâmetro transverso das artérias ilíacas comuns conseguidos a partir dos exames radiológicos. As mesmas medidas eram realizadas por ocasião da operação com o auxílio de um paquímetro e , então, comparadas aos valores indicados pelos exames de imagem. RESULTADOS: As medidas do diâmetro transverso máximo do aneurisma variaram de 4.5 a 13.6 cm no intra-operatório, não apresentando diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação a nenhum dos exames radiológicos estudados. A ultra-sonografia, entretanto, superestimou as medidas do colo proximal da aorta e dos diâmetros transversos das artérias ilíacas, em comparação com os valores auferidos durante o tratamento cirúrgico. O comprimento dos aneurismas medidos pela tomografia computadorizada convencional era menor em relação às medições feitas com o paquímetro de maneira estatisticamente significativa. Tanto a tomografia computadorizada helicoidal quanto a angio-ressonância nuclear magnética proporcionaram medidas sem diferença significante do ponto de vista estatístico para todos os parâmetros estudados, quando confrontados com os valores obtidos no intra-operatório. CONCLUSÕES: A ultra-sonografia consiste em método valioso para o diagnóstico e seguimento clínico de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal, sendo, porém, insuficiente para o planejamento de tratamento por técnica endovascular. A tomografia computadorizada convencional pode induzir a erro na estimativa da extensão crânio-caudal do aneurisma. A tomografia computadorizada helicoidal e a angio-ressonância nuclear magnética geraram medidas precisas de todos os parâmetros estudados, sendo ambos de grande importância para a programação operatória

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and ankle-brachial pressure index in patients with clinically evident peripheral arterial disease

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein is a suitable predictor of peripheral arterial disease severity. The role of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has already been investigated. Its relevance as a predictor of the appearance and worsening of coronary arterial disease is also well known. However, the same is not true regarding peripheral arterial disease. METHOD: Eighty-five consecutive patients with an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) < 0.9 and the presence of either intermittent claudication or critical lower leg ischemia were included. The plasma level of IgG autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein was evaluated through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were categorized into quartiles according to the ankle-brachial pressure index (a marker of peripheral arterial disease severity), and significant differences were investigated with the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the quartiles for this population (p = 0.33). No correlation was found between the ankle-brachial pressure index and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in subjects with clinically evident peripheral arterial disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein is not a good predictor of peripheral arterial disease severity

Relationship between gait speed and physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between gait speed and measurements of physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (age 66.6±9.4 years) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Usual and fast gait speeds were assessed with a 4-meter walk test. Objective (balance, sit-to-stand, handrip strength, and six-minute walk test) and subjective (WIQ – Walking Impairment Questionnaire and WELCH – Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History) measurements of physical function were obtained. Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were used to confirm significant associations. RESULTS: Usual and fast gait speeds were significantly correlated with all objective and subjective physical function variables examined (ro0.55, po0.05). In the multivariate model, usual gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (b=0.001, po0.001), sit-to-stand test score (b=-0.005, p=0.012), and WIQ stairs score (b=0.002, p=0.006) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. Fast gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (b=0.002, po0.001), WIQ stairs score (b=0.003, p=0.010), and WELCH total score (b=0.004, p=0.026) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. CONCLUSION: Usual and fast gait speeds assessed with the 4-meter test were moderately associated with objective and subjective measurements of physical function in symptomatic PAD patients

Relationship between gait speed and physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between gait speed and measurements of physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (age 66.6±9.4 years) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Usual and fast gait speeds were assessed with a 4-meter walk test. Objective (balance, sit-to-stand, handrip strength, and six-minute walk test) and subjective (WIQ – Walking Impairment Questionnaire and WELCH – Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History) measurements of physical function were obtained. Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were used to confirm significant associations. RESULTS: Usual and fast gait speeds were significantly correlated with all objective and subjective physical function variables examined (ro0.55, po0.05). In the multivariate model, usual gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (b=0.001, po0.001), sit-to-stand test score (b=-0.005, p=0.012), and WIQ stairs score (b=0.002, p=0.006) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. Fast gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (b=0.002, po0.001), WIQ stairs score (b=0.003, p=0.010), and WELCH total score (b=0.004, p=0.026) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. CONCLUSION: Usual and fast gait speeds assessed with the 4-meter test were moderately associated with objective and subjective measurements of physical function in symptomatic PAD patients

Walking training improves ambulatory blood pressure variability in claudication

Background: Walking training (WT) improves walking capacity and reduces clinic blood pressure (BP) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), but its effects on ambulatory BP remains unknown. Objectives: To investigate the effect of 12 weeks of WT on ambulatory BP and its variability in patients with PAD. Methods: Thirty-five male patients with PAD and claudication symptoms were randomly allocated into two groups: control (n = 16, 30 min of stretching) and WT (n = 19, 15 bouts of 2 min of walking at the heart rate of leg pain threshold interspersed by 2 min of upright rest). Before and after 12 weeks, 24-hour ambulatory BP was assessed. Ambulatory BP variability indices assessed at both time points included the 24-hour standard deviation (SD24), the awake and asleep weighted standard deviation (SDdn), and the 24-hour average real variability (ARV24). Data were analyzed by mixed two-way ANOVAs, considering P<0.05 as significant. Results: After 12 weeks, neither group had significant changes in 24-hour, awake and sleep BPs. The WT decreased systolic and mean BP variabilities (Systolic BP – 13.3±2.8 vs 11.8±2.3, 12.1±2.84 vs 10.7±2.5 and 9.4±2.3 vs 8.8±2.2 mmHg); Mean BP – 11.0±1.7 vs 10.4±1.9, 10.1±1.6 vs 9.1±1.7 and 8.0.±1.7 vs 7.2±1.5 mmHg for SD24, SDdn and ARV24, respectively). Neither group had significant changes in diastolic BP variabilities after 12 weeks. Conclusion: The WT does not change ambulatory BP levels but decreases ambulatory BP variability in patients with PAD. This improvement may have a favorable impact on the cardiovascular risk of patients with symptomatic PAD

Cateteres venosos totalmente implantáveis: histórico, técnica de implante e complicações

Resumo O acesso ao sistema venoso, seja para coleta de amostras de sangue ou para infusão de soluções, é de vital importância para o diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes com as mais variadas condições clínicas. Desde que Harvey, em 1616, descreveu o sistema circulatório a partir de estudos em animais e que Sir Christopher Wren, 4 décadas depois, realizou a primeira infusão endovenosa em seres vivos, a evolução na técnica de acesso e nos dispositivos para infusão tem sido constante. Merece destaque a criação dos cateteres de longa duração na década de 1970, em especial os totalmente implantáveis, que revolucionaram o tratamento do câncer, aumentando a segurança e o conforto dos pacientes oncológicos. Este artigo tem como objetivo a revisão de dados históricos relativos ao acesso vascular e a discussão da técnica de implante e das principais complicações associadas ao procedimento de colocação e ao uso dos cateteres totalmente implantáveis

Vena cava filters in cancer patients: experience with 50 patients

OBJECTIVE: To study the immediate and late results obtained from the implantation of vena cava filters in cancer patients with deep vein thrombosis concomitant with neoplasia. METHODS: This was a retrospective evaluation of 50 patients with an association of cancer and deep venous thrombosis who underwent interruption of the inferior vena cava and the insertion of permanent vena cava filters. The indications for the procedure, filter implantation technique, early and late complications related to the operation, and the clinical evolution were evaluated. RESULTS: The most frequent indication for filter implantation was the contraindication for full anticoagulant treatment (80%). The femoral vein was the preferred access route (86% of the patients). There were no complications related to the surgical procedure. During the follow-up, the following complications were observed: 1 episode of nonfatal pulmonary thromboembolism, 2 cases of occlusion of the inferior vena cava, and 1 case of thrombus retained in the device. Twenty patients (40%) died due to progression of the neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Interruption of the inferior cava vein using an endoluminal filter is a procedure with a low rate of complications. It is a safe and efficient measure for preventing pulmonary embolism in cancer patients who have deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs