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Biomedical subjects

Saim Yilmaz

Publications and source records attributed to Saim Yilmaz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Aortoiliac kissing stents: long-term results and analysis of risk factors affecting patency.

PURPOSE: To present the early and long-term results of aortoiliac kissing stents implantation and evaluate the risk factors affecting patency. METHODS: The data were retrospectively reviewed on 68 patients (64 men; mean age 55+/-11, range 32-77) who underwent kissing stents implantation during a 12-year period. The majority of patients (64, 94%) had claudication; 4 patients had rest pain. All were smokers. There were bilateral or unilateral stenoses in 42 (62%) patients, and unilateral occlusion and contralateral stenosis in 26 (38%). Lesions were treated with simultaneous implantation of self-expanding (n=52) or balloon-expandable (n=16) stents. After the procedure, patency was determined with Doppler ultrasonography or angiography at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates were calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis on an intention-to-treat basis, and risk factors affecting the patency rates were determined with the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: All procedures were technically and clinically successful. Complications occurred in 12%, but none required surgery. The follow-up period was 35+/-31 months. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates, respectively, were 76%, 90%, and 94% at 1 year; 63%, 86%, and 92% at 3 years; and 63%, 64%, and 81% at 5 years. In multivariate analysis, age <50 years and presence of iliac occlusion were identified as risk factors for reduced primary and assisted primary patency; a crossed configuration of kissing stents was identified as a risk factor for reduced primary patency. CONCLUSION: Implantation of kissing stents is a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of aortoiliac obstructions. However, overall primary and assisted primary patency rates are inferior to those reported for surgery. Long-term patency comparable to surgery may be obtained in patients >50 years and in those without an iliac occlusion, particularly if a favorable stent configuration is achieved.

Adult↗

Persistent sciatic artery. Radiologic features and patient management.

Persistent sciatic artery PSA represents the persistence of the sciatic vessel in adult life that is responsible for the major blood supply to the lower limb in early embryologic development. The incidence of PSA has been estimated as low as 0.025-0.04%. We present 2 cases of PSA, one of which was complicated by an aneurysm that led to a life-threatening hemorrhage.

Adult↗

Ultrasound-guided retrograde popliteal artery catheterization: experience in 174 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of ultrasound (US) guidance during retrograde popliteal artery catheterization (RPAC) and identify the risk factors for late hemostasis and complications. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of consecutive patients who underwent grayscale US-guided RPAC during the last 8 years. Chart review identified 174 patients (150 men; mean age 61+/-10 years, range 37-84) with 247 iliofemoral lesions, which were treated via US-guided RPAC. Complications were classified as puncture-related versus angioplasty-related and major versus minor. Risk factors for complications and late hemostasis were evaluated with logistic and linear regression analyses, respectively. RESULTS: All 234 US-guided RPACs were technically successful. No arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or dissection/thrombosis of the popliteal artery was observed. The mean time to hemostasis was 6.9+/-2.3 minutes. The presence of femoral stenosis (versus occlusion) and use of large (6 to 7-F) sheaths were significant risk factors for late hemostasis. In 234 procedures, 15 (6.4%) complications developed; 10 (4.3%) were puncture-related (3 major, 7 minor) and 5 (2.1%) were angioplasty-related (3 major, 2 minor). Intra-arterial fibrinolysis was found to be the only significant risk factor for overall and puncture-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that US-guided RPAC is at least as safe as other RPAC methods described in the literature. In contrast to generally held concerns, hemostasis is easy to obtain, and multiple punctures and the use of large sheaths appear safe. These results should be taken into consideration during the selection of an access site for endovascular treatment of superficial femoral artery and tandem iliofemoral lesions.

Adult↗

Observer variability based on the strength of MR scanners in the assessment of lumbar degenerative disc disease.

OBJECT: aim of this study was to analyse the observer variability in the diagnosis and definition of disc pathologies with low and high-field strength MR scanners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 95 patients with low back pain or radicular pain who were referred from two different centers were included in the study. Fifty-seven patients were scanned with 0.3 T MR (group 1) and 38 patients with 1.5 T (group 2). The intraobserver and interobserver reliability were assessed with the cappa coefficient which was characterised as follows: values less than 0.0 = 'poor' agreement, values 0.01-0.2 = 'slight' agreement beyond chance, 0.21-0.4 = 'fair' agreement, 0.41-0.60 = 'moderate' agreement, 0.61-0.80 = 'substantial' agreement and 0.81-1.00 = 'almost perfect' agreement. RESULTS: intraobserver agreement in group 1 and group 2 for both readers was 'almost perfect' in differentiating normal and pathological discs; 'substantial-almost perfect' in defining the disc pathologies, 'moderate-substantial' in root compression, and 'moderate-substantial' in spinal stenosis. Interobserver agreement was 'almost perfect' in differentiating normal and pathological discs, 'substantial' in defining disc pathologies, 'moderate' in root compression and 'moderate' in spinal stenosis in the group 1, whereas in group 2, it was 'almost perfect' in differentiating normal and pathological discs, 'almost perfect' in defining disc pathologies, 'slight-substantial' in root compression and 'moderate' in spinal stenosis. CONCLUSION: in the diagnosis of root compression and spinal stenosis, the intra and interobserver agreements were relatively poor with both high and low-strength field MRIs, indicating a need for more objective criteria. In differentiating normal and pathologic appearance of disc, the interobserver agreement was considerably better with high-field compared to low-field strength MRI. In cases where this definition is important, high-field strength scanners should be preferred.

Adolescent↗

Transvenous embolization and stent placement for an internal iliac arteriovenous fistula with central iliac vein occlusion.

The authors present a case of traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the internal iliac vessels treated with attempted surgical ligation of the common iliac artery and external iliac artery. The fistula persisted after the operation, and because the patient received no further treatment for the following 6 years, a venous outflow occlusion also developed as a result of high-flow angiopathy. Because the arterial route was eliminated at previous surgery, the fistula and venous occlusion were percutaneously treated via a transvenous approach.

Adult↗

Subintimal versus intraluminal recanalization of chronic iliac occlusions.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with subintimal recanalization of chronic iliac occlusions and retrospectively compare the results of this technique with those of standard intraluminal recanalization. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 98 patients (91 men; mean age 61+/-10 years, range 37-77) with unilateral chronic iliac occlusions who underwent standard intraluminal recanalization or subintimal recanalization if intraluminal wire passage failed. The technical success, complications, and patency rates were statistically compared between groups. RESULTS: In 59 (60%) of 98 patients, the occlusions were successfully crossed with ipsilateral intraluminal recanalization, while failure of intraluminal recanalization in the remaining 39 led to attempted subintimal recanalization (ipsilateral in 17 and antegrade-retrograde in 22). Overall, ipsilateral intraluminal recanalization was technically successful in 56 (57%) of 98 patients; subintimal recanalization was successful in 35 (90%) of 39 patients. Technical success was only 29% in 17 patients who underwent subintimal recanalization via an ipsilateral retrograde approach. During a follow of 27+/-16 months, primary and assisted primary patencies were not significantly different between the patients treated with intraluminal versus subintimal recanalization (p=0.81 and 0.64, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Subintimal recanalization is a safe and effective supplement to standard intraluminal recanalization techniques in the endovascular treatment of chronic iliac occlusions. Because of the poor outcome associated with the ipsilateral route, subintimal recanalization of these lesions should preferably be performed via a combined antegrade-retrograde approach.

Adult↗

The efficacy of urinalysis, plain films, and spiral CT in ED patients with suspected renal colic.

We determined the diagnostic value of urinalysis and plain films in patients with suspected renal colic presenting to an emergency department (ED). Over a 1-year period, 138 patients presented to the ED during the daytime with suspected renal colic, but for technical reasons the diagnostic modalities used in the study could be completed for only 99 patients, and 34 patients were lost to follow-up. A urinalysis; kidney, ureter, and bladder film; and spiral computed tomography (CT) were performed on each patient. The presence of urinary tract stones was determined by their definite presence on helical CT and/or passage of a stone on clinical follow-up (average follow-up = 3 months). A urinary stone was visualized on spiral CT or passed in the urine in 54 of the patients. Using helical CT findings or passage of a stone as the gold standard, plain radiography had a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 82%. Urinalysis had a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 27%. The sensitivity increased to 89% if either test was positive, but the specificity remained low at 27%. The sensitivity and specificity of CT in the diagnosis of urinary stones was 91%. Urinalysis and plain films are much less accurate than helical CT for confirming the diagnosis of acute urolithiasis. Further evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of helical CT should be done to determine its role in the work-up of these patients.

Adult↗

Subintimal angioplasty of long superficial femoral artery occlusions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the value of subintimal angioplasty (SA) and selective stent placement in the treatment of long (> or =15 cm) superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period of 4.5 years, 67 long SFA occlusions in 61 patients (52 male, 9 female) were intended to be treated with SA, either retrogradely (n = 55) or antegradely (n = 12). Postprocedural medical treatment included aspirin + ticlopidine/clopidogrel (AT/C) combination. In 25 patients warfarin was also given for 3-6 months. Patients were followed up for 1-30 months (mean 12.5 +/- 9.0 months). Hemodynamic patencies were determined with the Kaplan-Meier method, risk factors affecting patency were evaluated with the Cox model, and the patencies of the subgroups were compared with log-rank test. RESULTS: Subintimal recanalization was technically successful in 59 of 67 occlusions. Technical success was 83% in the first 30 procedures, 92% in the last 37, and 100% in the last 29. Forty-six occlusions were treated with SA alone and 13 with SA and stent placement. On an intention-to-treat basis, primary patency at 6 and 12 months was 49% and 22%, respectively, and assisted primary patency at 6 and 12 months was 69% and 57%, respectively. Patency rates were not significantly different in patients with claudication versus critical limb ischemia, or in those treated with SA alone versus SA and stent placement. With the multivariate Cox model, medical treatment with AT/C combination was identified as the only significant risk factor for both primary patency and assisted primary patency. With the Kaplan-Meier analysis, primary and assisted primary patencies were significantly higher in the warfarin group than the AT/C group (P =.0002 and.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: SA is a simple and safe method with a high technical success rate in the endovascular treatment of long SFA occlusions. Long-term patency rates, however, seem unsatisfactory, despite early reports. Subintimal stent placement provides cumulative patency at least as good as SA alone. Warfarin may significantly improve both primary patency and assisted primary patency after subintimal recanalization, but even with this treatment patency rates are still lower than those reported for bypass surgery. Therefore, in long SFA occlusions, SA is not recommended for claudicants but may be valuable in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Angioplasty↗

Endovascular treatment of a recipient celiac trunk stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To present the successful endovascular treatment of a severe recipient celiac trunk stenosis that led to allograft ischemia following liver transplantation. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old woman underwent orthotopic liver transplantation because of hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis. After the operation, routine hepatic Doppler ultrasonography showed a tardus parvus flow pattern in the hepatic artery, suggesting an impending hepatic artery thrombosis. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), however, showed severe stenosis of the recipient celiac trunk and moderate splenic artery steal. The stenosis was dilated and stented in the same session. The postprocedural DSA showed good dilation of the lesion with immediate improvement of hepatic opacification. Follow-up Doppler ultrasound scans showed normal flow patterns in the hepatic artery at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of a tardus parvus flow pattern on Doppler ultrasound after liver transplantation, the possibility of an undetected recipient celiac stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Such lesions can successfully be treated with angioplasty and stenting.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Endovascular treatment of an acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion following failed surgical embolectomy.

PURPOSE: To present the successful primary stenting of a superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion following failed surgical embolectomy. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation underwent surgical embolectomy of an acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The following day, symptom recurrence suggested reocclusion, which was confirmed with emergent arteriography. Two balloon-expandable stents were deployed primarily, which ameliorated the patient's symptoms. Follow-up angiography at 3 months showed continued SMA patency, with no evidence of distal embolization or restenosis. The patient remains asymptomatic at 9 months after the stent procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Although more experience is required, primary stenting may be a valuable alternative in the treatment of acute SMA occlusions, in particular, for reocclusions after failed surgery.

Aged↗

Primary stenting of embolic occlusions in iliac arteries.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with the use of primary stenting to treat embolic iliac artery occlusions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six patients (5 men; mean age 50.6+/-14.1 years range 37-72) underwent primary stenting for embolic occlusions lodged in the common iliac and/or external iliac arteries and were retrospectively evaluated. The probable reason for the embolism was atrial fibrillation in 4 patients and acute myocardial infarction in 2. In 5 patients, an additional embolus was demonstrated in the renal, mesenteric, popliteal, and middle cerebral arteries. Iliac emboli were treated with primary implantation of self-expanding stents followed by very low-pressure balloon dilation. In all cases, primary stenting was technically successful and provided immediate recanalization with elimination or reduction of symptoms. There was no procedure-related complication. During the mean 11-month follow-up (range 1-18), all stented iliac arteries remained patient. One patient died due to cerebral embolism at 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although this experience is limited, excellent midterm results suggest that primary stenting may be a valuable alternative in the treatment of embolic occlusions of the iliac arteries in selected cases.

Adult↗

Isolated septum pellucidum agenesis in an adult.

Septum pellucidum agenesis is frequently associated with other cerebral malformations. Its isolated agenesis is quite rare. In the literature, all reported cases were diagnosed in early childhood. The authors present an unusual case of isolated septum pellucidum agenesis detected in adulthood with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Adult↗

Hematoma after percutaneous transpopliteal stenting and remote suturing of the popliteal artery.

PURPOSE: To present a case of extensive thigh hematoma that developed after use of a percutaneous suturing device for retrograde popliteal artery puncture. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old woman underwent endovascular treatment for a short occlusion of the right superficial femoral artery via a retrograde popliteal approach, after which the puncture site was closed with a Closer suture-mediated device. Several hours later, massive hematoma of the right thigh developed, which was noticed only after the patient's leg became markedly swollen and hypotension developed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a suture-mediated closure device for a retrograde popliteal artery puncture may not be recommended.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Primary stenting of focal atherosclerotic infrarenal aortic stenoses: long-term results in 13 patients and a literature review.

We conducted this study to investigate the value of primary stent implantation for the endovascular treatment of focal atherosclerotic stenoses of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The data of 13 patients with a localized complex infrarenal aortic stenosis who underwent primary stenting was retrospectively evaluated. The patients (6 females, 7 males) had a mean age of 57.3 +/- 9.1 years (mean +/- SD). In all patients, the aortic diameter was measured on CT sections, and a self-expanding endoprosthesis was primarily implanted followed by dilatation with single or double balloons. In 3 patients, additional distal stenoses were also endovascularly treated. The procedure was technically successful in all patients. No complications occurred except for 2 minor groin hematomas. During the 43 +/- 23 months (mean +/- SD) follow-up (range: 12-96 months), all stented aortic segments remained patent. Clinical patency was lost in 4 patients, which was due to atherosclerosis or restenosis distal to the aorta. In view of the excellent early and long-term results, we believe that primary stenting should be considered the first line treatment in properly selected patients with focal atherosclerotic infrarenal stenoses of the abdominal aorta.

Aged↗