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Biomedical subjects

E J Ferris

Publications and source records attributed to E J Ferris.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Amplatz vena caval filter: clinical experience in 30 patients.

Amplatz vena caval filters were inserted percutaneously in 30 patients. Radiologic and clinical follow-up was available in 24 patients (cavogram, CT, or sonography in 20 patients, plain abdominal radiographs in two, and lower extremity venograms in two). Clinical follow-up only was available in four patients, and autopsy reports were available in two patients without radiologic follow-up. The filter was inserted without difficulty in 29 (97%) of the patients. Complications after insertion included recurrent pulmonary embolism in two (7%) of 30, caval thrombosis in seven (23%) of 30, ipsilateral lower extremity deep venous thrombosis after placement of the filter in one (3%) of 30, caval penetration in two (10%) of 20, and caval stenosis in one (5%) of 20. No migration of the filter was noted. Our experience suggests that the Amplatz vena caval filter is easy to insert and adequately prevents recurrent pulmonary embolism but is associated with a relatively high rate of caval thrombosis.

Aged↗

The preoperative prevalence and postoperative incidence of thromboembolism in patients with hip fractures treated with dextran prophylaxis.

A prospective preoperative and postoperative venographic study of hip fracture patients has documented a significant preoperative prevalence and postoperative incidence of thromboembolic disease. A statistically higher incidence of deep-venous thrombosis is observed in patients with femoral neck fractures compared to patients with intertrochanteric fractures. A 9% (15 of 176) preoperative prevalence and an 11% (12 of 108) incidence of new postoperative thromboembolic disease were detected. There was a predilection for deep-venous thrombosis in the injured extremity compared to the noninjured extremity both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Adult↗

Diagnostic value of Tc-99m MAA radionuclide venography of lower extremity: as a simultaneous procedure of ventilation-perfusion scan for pulmonary embolism.

A total of 336 cases received a ventilation-perfusion(V/Q) scan for the detection of pulmonary embolism (PE). Among these, 155 cases simultaneously underwent a successful radionuclide venography study (RNV) of the lower limbs using Tc-99m macro-aggregated albumin (MAA). Concomitant pulmonary arteriography (PA) was performed in 120 cases. Fifty-four of these 120 cases successfully completed the RNV scan. There was a statistical significance in the V/Q scan for the detection of PE as confirmed by the PA (p less than 0.0001). The positive predictive value (PPV) of the RNV for PE was 75% (3/4). The negative predictive value (NPV) was 48% (24/50). The sensitivity and specificity were 10% (3/29) and 96% (24/25) for the 54 patients who had both the RNV scan and PA. For the 155 patients who had simultaneous V/Q and RNV scans, there was no statistically significant correlation between these two scans. The PPV, NPV, specificity and sensitivity were 42%(8/19), 75%(103/136), 90%(103/114) and 20%(8/41), respectively. Despite the low sensitivity and no significance of positive RNV for diagnosis of PE, RNV is still recommendable because it is a simple, non-invasive, simultaneous procedure during perfusion lung scan and has high specificity.

Femoral Vein↗

Peripheral laser-assisted balloon angioplasty. Initial multicenter experience in 219 peripheral arteries.

In this multicenter clinical series of peripheral laser-assisted balloon angioplasty with an argon laser-heated, metallic-capped fiberoptic, angiographic and clinical success was achieved in a total of 155 (71%) of 219 attempted lesions. When the anatomy of the lesion was subjectively categorized by the angiographer into those considered possible or impossible to treat by conventional balloon angioplasty, clinical success was achieved in 116 (78%) of 149 lesions considered possible to treat with balloon angioplasty (39 [95%] of 41 stenoses and 77 [71%] of 108 occlusions). More importantly, clinical success was achieved in 39 (56%) of 70 lesions considered impossible to treat by conventional means. The incidence of complications, including vessel perforation (4.1%), with this new technique was equal to that reported for conventional balloon angioplasty, decreased with operator experience, and was less than that reported for argon laser angioplasty with bare fiberoptics. Thus, laser thermal angioplasty with a laser-heated, metallic-capped fiberoptic is a safe procedure that is easily learned by physicians skilled in interventional techniques. It allows for nonsurgical treatment of lesions considered difficult or impossible to treat by conventional balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Interventions in pulmonary embolism.

Various interventions are available to assist in the management of patients with pulmonary embolism. Most are reserved for patients who either fail standard systemic anticoagulation therapy or are not candidates for anticoagulant therapy. The most common intervention is placement of a vena caval filter. Several different filter devices are available, most of which may be placed percutaneously. Pulmonary thrombolysis with urokinase or streptokinase may be appropriate in some patients with severe, symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Finally, pulmonary embolectomy by means of either a transvenous catheter or surgical technique may be necessary in cases of refractory cardiovascular collapse.

Humans↗

Azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava masquerading as neoplasm.

The two cases we have reported demonstrate that dramatic enlargement of the azygos vein may occur in patients with azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava. Awareness of this phenomenon can prevent unnecessary procedures. The diagnosis should be established by dynamic CT scan.

Aged↗

Low dose dextran 40 in reconstructive hip surgery patients.

Preoperative and postoperative bilateral lower extremity venography was used to evaluate the efficacy of low dose dextran 40 in prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis in reconstructive hip surgery patients. Patients were given dextran 40 at 50 cc/hr, with 250 cc given perioperatively and 500 cc given on postoperative days two and four. Five of 227 patients had positive venograms preoperatively. Of these 227 patients, 179 met protocol requirements and had venography postoperatively. Venous thrombosis occurred in 33 (18%) of those studied postoperatively. Of these, 11 were calf clots without extension to the popliteal region. Therefore, there were 22 patients (12%) with femoral or popliteal involvement overall. There were two deaths, neither of which was secondary to pulmonary embolus or a complication of dextran. There were two wound complications. These results suggest that low dose dextran 40 administered as indicated is a safe and efficacious means of deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in reconstructive hip surgery patients.

Arthroplasty↗

Perioperative asymptomatic venous thrombosis: role of duplex scanning versus venography.

We compared combined B-mode/Doppler (duplex ultrasonic scanning and venography in routine preoperative and postoperative screening for major proximal deep vein thrombosis in 78 patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty. Of 309 extremity examinations, duplex scanning had an overall sensitivity of 85.7% (12/14) and a specificity of 97.3% (287/295). The preoperative prevalence and postoperative incidence of major deep vein thrombosis were 2.5% and 14.1% of patients, respectively, despite intensive mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis. In addition, venography documented a preoperative prevalence and postoperative incidence of isolated calf deep vein thrombosis in 2.5% and 16.7% of patients, respectively. Whereas such disease extended proximally even in the absence of anticoagulation in only 18% of patients studied by serial duplex scans, calf deep vein thrombosis accounted for the only two instances of pulmonary embolism in this study. There were no deaths related to pulmonary embolism. This study suggests that duplex scanning is useful in screening for perioperative deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty, which carries a significant risk of venous thromboembolism despite routine prophylaxis.

Adult↗

Mesoaortic compression of the left renal vein (the so-called nutcracker syndrome): repair by a new stenting procedure.

Compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta has been termed the nutcracker syndrome. Although often asymptomatic, this syndrome may result in varicocele, ovarian vein syndrome, and rarely LRV hypertension, pelviureteral varices, hematuria, and flank pain. Previous surgical approaches have included nephrectomy, variceal ligation, nephropexy, or renocaval reimplantation. We report a new LRV stenting procedure that provided relief for a young woman incapacitated by daily left flank pain and microscopic hematuria. Phlebography of the LRV revealed mesoaortic compression associated with a pressure gradient of 12 mm Hg and preferential outflow down large pelviureteral varices. At operation compression of the LRV was corrected with an external stent of reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene. The patient was asymptomatic and free of hematuria for 9 months after operation and follow-up phlebography documented normal renocaval flow, elimination of the pressure gradient, and reduction of the pelviureteral varices. This represents the first description in the vascular surgical literature of this venous compression syndrome, which has been recognized in previous urologic and radiologic reports reviewed herein. Vascular surgeons should be cognizant of the nutcracker syndrome, and we recommend this new stenting procedure as a more simple and physiologic therapy than previous approaches to this problem.

Adolescent↗

Effect of a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field on Greenfield filters in vitro and in dogs.

The authors have tested four Greenfield filters for deflection in a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field and found large variations in the amount of deflection among filters. They also placed two filters in dogs and checked the filter for migration by taking radiographs before and after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. They found no evidence of migration. They conclude that, while most Greenfield filters respond to a magnetic field, the chance of migration of a filter because of an MRI scan is small. Therefore, MRI scanning of patients with Greenfield filters has little risk.

Animals↗

Laser thermal angioplasty for the treatment of obstruction of the distal superficial femoral or popliteal arteries.

The success rates and clinical effectiveness of percutaneous laser thermal angioplasty for obstruction of the distal superficial femoral or popliteal arteries were assessed. Laser thermal angioplasty was performed with the first commercially available laser system on 25 atherosclerotic vascular lesions in 20 lower extremities of 18 patients. Fifteen of the lesions were occlusions (average length, 5.6 +/- 3.1 cm), and 10 were high-grade stenoses (average length, 2.6 +/- 1.8 cm). Indication for angioplasty was claudication limiting life-style in 12 extremities and threatened limb loss in eight. All patients were treated with a 1.5- or 2.0-mm metal-capped optical fiber attached to a 14-W argon-ion laser. Balloon angioplasty was performed after laser recanalization in all successful cases. The patients were followed by Doppler ankle/brachial index and clinical evaluation. Laser thermal angioplasty was technically successful (vessel recanalization) in 18 (90%) of 20 of the cases. Fourteen (70%) of 20 extremities were successes by ankle/brachial index follow-up, while 15 (75%) of 20 remained clinically improved after an average follow-up of 7.8 +/- 5.3 months. Laser thermal angioplasty has a technical and clinical success rate that compares favorably with previous reports of balloon angioplasty. With proper patient selection, laser thermal angioplasty can reduce the difficulty of traversing lesions that are amenable to standard balloon angioplasty and increase the number of vascular lesions that can be treated percutaneously but could not be recanalized without the use of laser energy.

Aged↗

Unilateral left leg edema: a variation of the May-Thurner syndrome.

A single patient with left leg edema was examined with venography and computed tomography. A tortuous left common iliac artery was found to be compressing the left common iliac vein, causing near total obstruction of the left iliac vein. Hemodynamic pressure measurements confirmed the significance of the obstruction.

Constriction, Pathologic↗