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Clinical comparison of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Controversy exists concerning the utilization of pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with regard to improved patient outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate pulsatile perfusion in patients undergoing CPB in a clinical setting. Seventy patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of valvular or congenital heart disease were prospectively entered into the study and were randomly assigned to either pulsatile perfusion (PP, n = 35) or nonpulsatile perfusion (NP, n = 35) groups. All patients received identical surgical, perfusion, and postoperative care. Study parameters included: rate of spontaneous cardiac conversion, inotropic drug use, urine output, skin temperature, platelet count, fibrinogen concentration, and plasma free hemoglobin level. There were no statistically significant differences seen in either preoperative or operative parameters between groups. The PP group had a significantly higher rate of spontaneous cardiac conversion, less inotropic drug use, earlier recovery of skin temperature, and higher urine output during CPB (908.8 +/- 87.2 ml/hr vs. 606.1 +/- 57.5 ml/hr, p < .01). There were no significant differences in either platelet count or fibrinogen concentration between groups. There was a steady increase in plasma free hemoglobin during PP, which was not seen in the NP group (p < .01). We conclude that the use of pulsatile flow resulted in improved patient outcomes in maintaining better renal function and preserving cardiac function in the early post-bypass period.

Adult↗

Measurement of flow velocity in the model circulation by videodensitometry. Methodological investigations.

The relation between videodensitometrically measured front velocity and electromagnetically assessed flow was examined in a circulatory model with continuous as well as pulsatile flow (89 experiments). The diameter of the tubes in the videodensitometric measuring section was 0.305 to 0.518 cm. A linear correlation was proved in flow velocities up to Reynold's number Re = 225. The exact flow, measured electromagnetically, was overestimated in continuous flow by 21% (r = 0.99, Syx = +/- 14.5 ml/min) and in pulsatile flow by 24% (r = 0.98, Syx = +/- 20.8 ml/min). In view of these results the phasic and average flow can be calculated accurately using videodensitometric techniques.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Factors influencing the structure and shape of stenotic and regurgitant jets: an in vitro investigation using Doppler color flow mapping and optical flow visualization.

To evaluate factors influencing the structure and shape of stenotic and regurgitant jets, Doppler color flow mapping and optical flow visualization studies were performed with use of a syringe model with a constant rate of ejection to simulate jets of valvular regurgitation and a pulsatile flow model of the right heart chambers to simulate jets of mild, moderate and severe valvular pulmonary stenosis. Ink-(0 to 40%) glycerol-water jets (viscosity 1 to 3.5 centiPoise) were produced by injecting the fluid at a constant rate into a 10 gallon rectangular reservoir of the same still fluid through 1.4 and 3.4 mm needles. The Doppler color flow scanners imaged the laminar jet length within 3 mm of actual jet length (2 to 6 cm) and the jet width within 2 to 3 mm of the actual jet width. Jet flows with Reynolds numbers ranging from 230 to 1,200 injected into still fluid yielded jet length/width ratios that decreased with increasing Reynolds numbers and leveled off to a length/width ratio of 5-6:1 at a Reynolds number near 600. When the fluid reservoir was swirled to better mimic the effect of flow entering the same cardiac chamber from a second source, the jets showed diminution of the jet length/width ratio and a clearly defined zone of turbulence. Studies of the pulsatile flow model were performed at cardiac outputs of 1 to 6 liters/min for the normal and each stenotic valve. Mild stenosis had an orifice area of 2.8 cm2, moderate stenosis an area of 1.0 cm2 and severe stenosis an area of 0.5 cm2. Laminar jet length represented the length of the total jet, which had a symmetric width and was measured from the valve opening to a region where the jet exhibited a spray effect. Laminar jet lengths (0.2 to 1.1 cm) were imaged by Doppler color flow mapping and optical visualization only in the moderate and severely stenotic valves and only at flows less than or equal to 3 liters/min (mean Reynolds numbers less than or equal to 3,470). Beyond this flow rate the jets exhibited a spray effect. Laminar jet length/width ratio approached unity with an increased amount of valvular stenosis and higher flow volumes (cardiac output). Proximal aliasing was present in each valve studied. the length of aliasing (0 to 3.2 cm) proximal to the valve was longer with increased flow rates and increased amounts of stenosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Modulation of ATP/ADP concentration at the endothelial surface by shear stress: effect of flow-induced ATP release.

The adenine nucleotides ATP and ADP induce the production of vasoactive compounds in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Therefore, knowledge of how flow affects the concentration of ATP and ADP at the EC surface may be important for understanding shear stress-mediated vasoregulation. The concentration of ATP and ADP is determined by convective and diffusive transport as well as by hydrolysis of these nucleotides by ectonucleotidases at the EC surface. Previous mathematical modeling has demonstrated that for steady flow in a parallel plate flow chamber, the combined ATP+ADP concentration does not change considerably over a wide range of shear stress. This finding has been used to argue that the effect of flow on adenine nucleotide transport could not account for the dependence of endothelial responses to ATP on the magnitude of applied shear stress. The present study extends the previous modeling to include pulsatile flow as well as flow-induced endothelial ATP release. Our results demonstrate that flow-induced ATP release has a pronounced effect on nucleotide concentration under both steady and pulsatile flow conditions. While the combined ATP+ADP concentration at the EC surface in the absence of flow-induced ATP release changes by only approximately 10% over the wall shear stress range 0.1-10 dyne cm(-2), inclusion of this release leads to a concentration change of approximately 34%-106% over the same shear stress range, depending on how ATP release is modeled. These results suggest that the dependence of various endothelial responses to shear stress on the magnitude of the applied shear stress may be partially attributable to flow-induced changes in cell-surface adenine nucleotide concentration.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Measurement of systolic and diastolic flow rates in the coronary artery system by x-ray densitometry.

The reliability of a modified videodensitometric and photodensitometric sampling technique for measuring phasic flow rates in the coronary artery system was examined. Electromagnetic flow measurements were performed in a circulatory model with continuous and pulsatile flow and intraoperatively in aortocoronary bypass grafts; cineangiograms were made simultaneously. Based on the front velocities of injected boluses of contrast medium, the densitometric measurement overestimated the electromagnetically measured flow systematically by about 20%. Systolic and diastolic flow rates in aortocoronary bypass grafts and coronary arteries determined from biplane cineangiograms in 34 patients generally revealed the typical pulsatile flow pattern familiar from electromagnetic and ultrasonic flow measurements. Flow velocities in unstenosed coronary arteries were nearly identical before and after branchings of the vessels, whereas the corresponding flow rates were higher in proximal than in distal segments. The identical flow velocities in different branches of the same vessel and the low variability of this parameter in different patients may be a suitable index of the effect of stenoses on coronary arterial blood flow.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

The possibility of a veno-arterial bypass system using the Abiomed BVS 5000.

Effect of Abiomed BVS 5000 (Cardiovascular Inc., Danvers, MA, U.S.A) has been reported for mechanical assist circulation in cardiogenic shock. However, this pump is generally used as a ventricular assist device, not as a device for veno-arterial bypass. Therefore, we evaluated its effectiveness through an experiment. The left anterior descending branch of pigs' heart was ligated to prepare a model of acute myocardial infarction, and after the onset of cardiogenic shock, circulation was initially supported for 30 min using the BVS 5000, followed by support for another 30 min using a Gyro pump (Gyro, Kyocera, Inc., Kyoto, Japan). Subsequently, circulation was additionally supported for 30 min using both a Gyro and an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) (Tokai Medical Inc., Aichi, Japan) (Gyro + IABP). Circulation was supported in each group at 30-min intervals in the reversed order of assisted circulation. Although the mean aortic pressure, pump flow, and total flow were not significantly different among the three setups, the pulse pressure was 48.2 +/- 3.3, 12.2 +/- 2.2, and 29.9 +/- 3.8 mm Hg in Abiomed, Gyro, and Gyro + IABP, respectively. Although neither coronary arterial nor myocardial blood flow showed significant differences among the three setups, the renal arterial blood flow was significantly larger in BVS 5000 compared to the other two setups. In this study, we selected an alpha-cube (Platium Cube NCVC 6000, Edwards Research Medical Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A.), which is considered as an oxygenator that produces minimum pressure loss. Therefore, the pulsatile flow we obtained with the Abiomed was maintained even after we started using the oxygenator. The pulsatile flow had positive effects on renal circulation and peripheral circulation.

Animals↗

Cytokine and endothelial damage in pulsatile and nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass.

Recently, several types of centrifugal pumps have been widely used as the main pumps for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, according to the results of our experimental studies, after cardiogenic shock, pulsatile flow was effective in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs, especially those of the liver and kidney. To estimate the effectiveness of pulsatility during CPB, cytokine and endothelin and other metabolic parameters were measured in clinical pulsatile and nonpulsatile CPB cases. From March to May 1997, CPB was performed in 18 elective cases (14 ischemic and 4 valvular disease). In 9 cases, pulsatile perfusion was achieved by the Jostra HL20, which is a newly developed CPB pump (Group P). A nonpulsatile centrifugal pump was used in 9 patients (Group NP). In both groups, as chemical and metabolic mediators, interleukin-8 (IL-8), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and plasma free hemoglobin were measured before and during CPB, and 0.5, 3, 6, 9, 18 h after weaning from CPB. This pulsatile CPB pump could be very simply and easily controlled and could easily produce pulsatile flow. There were no significant differences in CPB time (CPBT), aortic cross clamp time (ACCT), mean aortic pressure, or pump flow during CPB between the both groups. The ET-1 level of Group P was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group NP 9 h after CPB weaning. The IL-8 level of Group P also showed a lower value than that of Group NP. As for plasma free hemoglobin, there were no significant differences between the groups. These results suggested that even in conventional CPB, pulsatility was effective to reduce endothelial damage and suppress cytokine activation. It may play a important role in maintaining the functions and microcirculations of end organs during CPB.

Aged↗

Partial plasma exchange transfusion improves cerebral hemodynamics in symptomatic neonatal polycythemia.

Cerebral arterial pulsatile flow changes and the effect of partial plasma exchange transfusion on these pulsatile flow patterns were studied in neonatal polycythemia/hyperviscosity syndrome by transcutaneous Doppler technique. Twenty-two infants with cord blood hematocrit greater than 58% (greater than 2 SD above the mean) were studied from a total of 2,400 infants who were screened for cord hematocrit over a 6-month period. Each of 22 infants had the following initial studies: radial artery hematocrit, viscosity, intracranial pressure measurement, and anterior cerebral arterial Doppler study to determine pulsatility index, mean systolic, mean end diastolic, and mean flow velocities, and area underneath the curve of the velocity tracings/min. Twelve of 22 infants had radial artery hematocrit less than 63%, were normoviscous (less than 13.5 cps, 11.25 sec-1) and were designated as control infants. Ten (study infants) were polycythemic (hematocrit greater than or equal to 63%) and hyperviscous (greater than or equal to 13.5 cps, 11.25 sec-1). All study patients were treated by partial plasma exchange transfusion. Initial studies were repeated after exchange transfusion. Control infants were not treated. Prior to exchange procedure, the polycythemic hyperviscous infants had significantly higher hematocrit, viscosity, and pulsatility index; the other Doppler measurements and heart rate were lower than those of control babies. The exchange procedure resulted in significantly decreased hematocrit, viscosity, and pulsatility index and increase in the other Doppler measurements, heart rate, and intracranial pressure. All postexchange measurements of study infants were not statistically different from the control infants. These data suggest that neonatal polycythemia/hyperviscosity syndrome may be associated with abnormal cerebral hemodynamics that could improve with partial plasma exchange transfusion.

Blood Viscosity↗

Flow characteristics of hepatic tumors at color Doppler sonography: correlation with arteriographic findings.

OBJECTIVE: We studied benign and malignant hepatic tumors with color Doppler sonography and arteriography in order to correlate color Doppler flow characteristics with tumor hemodynamics (vascularity, arteriovenous shunting, and portal vein involvement) shown by arteriography. We also evaluated the usefulness of color Doppler flow characteristics in discriminating between tumor types. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed color Doppler sonography and hepatic arteriography in 58 patients with 72 hepatic lesions larger than 2.0 cm in diameter. Differences in pulsatile flow (peritumoral or intratumoral) and the highest systolic peak flow velocities reached were evaluated on color Doppler sonograms and compared with arteriographic findings. RESULTS: Color flow sonograms were obtained in 43 of 45 hepatocellular carcinomas, 15 of 16 cholangiocellular carcinomas or hepatic metastases, and six of 11 hemangiomas. Mixed peritumoral and intratumoral pulsatile flow was shown by arteriography in highly vascular tumors. The mean peak systolic flow velocity seen in hepatocellular carcinomas (0.52 m/sec) significantly exceeded the velocity seen in hemangiomas (0.16 m/sec), but not the velocity seen in other malignant hepatic tumors (0.51 m/sec). Six hepatocellular carcinomas, one cholangiocellular carcinoma, and two hepatic metastases with peak systolic flow velocities greater than 0.80 m/sec were each proved arteriographically to have arteriovenous shunting or portal vein involvement. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler sonography was useful for evaluating hepatic tumor hemodynamics as seen at arteriography, and peak systolic velocity may be useful in differentiating malignant hepatic tumors from hemangiomas.

Adult↗

Role of blood cell-wall interactions in thrombogenesis and atherogenesis: a microrheological study.

The relationship between blood flow and the localization of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in vivo was investigated using the approach and techniques of microrheology. The flow patterns and wall-adhesion of platelets were studied in the captive annular vortex formed at a sudden tubular expansion at various hematocrits in steady and pulsatile flow. The adhesion density exhibited a peak within the vortex and just downstream of the reattachment point, which is also a stagnation point. The peaks flattened out with increasing Reynolds number in steady flow and also in pulsatile flow. Platelet adhesion increased markedly with increasing hematocrit. The localization of adhesion peaks was explained by curvature of the streamlines carrying platelets to the wall on either side of the reattachment point. The relevance of these results to the circulation is that stagnation points are found in regions of disturbed flow at various sites in the arterial and venous circulations. This was shown in experiments using a technique whereby flow was visualized in isolated transparent natural blood vessels prepared from dogs and humans postmortem. In dog saphenous vein bileaflet valves, there was a large primary spiral vortex as well as a smaller secondary vortex, the latter acting as a trap and generator of thrombi. Recirculation zones also existed in the dog aorta at T-junctions of the celiac, cranial mesenteric and renal arteries. Finally, in the human carotid bifurcation, a large standing recirculation zone consisting of spiral secondary flows formed in the carotid sinus at physiological flow conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

A flow model of cerebral aneurysms for use with power Doppler studies.

It has recently been observed using power Doppler that cerebral aneurysms appear to change size through the cardiac cycle. The purpose of this study was to develop a pulsatile flow model of cerebral aneurysm expansion and to investigate whether the observations of pulsation could be confirmed using the model. The model consisted of a latex bubble glued onto the side of a latex tube. A computer controlled pump was used to generate pulsatile flow. The degree of bubble expansion was adjusted by the use of flow restrictor placed in the downstream section of the flow rig. Ultrasound images were acquired using an Acuson 128 XP/10V colour flow scanner. True expansion (maximum area/minimum area) was measured from the B-scan image using a 7 MHz probe. Three observers measured expansion of the simulated aneurysm from the power Doppler images using a 2 MHz probe. Expansion measured with the power Doppler decreased as the colour gain setting increased, and decreased as the persistence increased. The true expansion of 1.43 was comparable with the colour gain set optimally for a persistence value of 3. The model allows simple investigations of the relationship between true aneurysm expansion and that measured from the power Doppler images. Colour gain and persistence settings must be standardized in clinical studies.

Humans↗

Hydraulic functional characterisation of aortic mechanical heart valve prostheses through lumped-parameter modelling.

Lumped-parameter modelling techniques are proposed as a method for studying the hydraulic characteristics of mechanical prosthetic heart valves (PHVs). The global hydraulic behaviour of PHVs in the open position was modelled by taking into account the (nonlinear) resistive and (linear) inertial factors governing the time-dependent relationship between transvalvular pressure drop and fluid flow rate, and neglecting the leaflets' opening and closure transient phenomena. Statistically defined indices associated to the parameters' values attest how properly the model describes PHV hydraulic behaviour. Local fluid dynamics is not modelled with this approach. The proposed method was implemented in a software program and applied to the characterisation of the aortic StJude Medical, StJude Medical Hemodynamic Plus and CarboMedics PHVs, basing on steady- and pulsatile-flow hydraulic-bench experimental data. The results showed that reliable parameters expressing hydraulic resistance can be derived from steady-flow data (R(2)>0.995). Inertance parameters derived from pulsatile-flow experiments are liable to a degree of uncertainty (confidence intervals up to 17%), however, comparing the reconstructed vs. measured pressure drop during systolic time demonstrates that this deficiency is mostly due to the missing description of initial, transient oscillations presumably related to the leaflets' opening (not modelled).

Aortic Valve↗

In vitro Doppler detection of axisymmetric stenoses from transverse velocity measurements.

Results are presented on Doppler flow measurements distal to models of arterial stenosis under steady and pulsatile flow conditions. The models simulate mild to moderate stenoses. Emphasis is placed on flow structure determination (vortex shedding or coherent eddies) which might be the distinguishing characteristic of a mild stenosis (less than or equal to 50%). A new approach is taken by making the measurements with the ultrasonic beam normal to the axial flow direction. The transverse velocity measurements avoid detecting the superposed axial flow component so that flow structure can be determined, and also provide clinical advantages of the ease of localization. A pulsed RF directional Doppler system is used together with high resolution temporal autoregressive spectral analysis. Vortex shedding and coherent structures are detected under steady and pulsatile flow conditions. The influence of the frequency parameter on the flow pattern is also studied.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Changes in the liver circulation and kidney function during pulsatile and non-pulsatile perfusion].

Pulsatile flow perfusion (PFP) requires smaller volume of additional infusion. Extravascular hyperhydration is more marked after nonpulsatile flow perfusion (NPFP). In NPFP there is an increase in free water clearance, lower urinary osmolality and diuresis rate. PFP prevents urinary hypoosmolality and retains baseline values of free water clearance. No significant differences in Na+ urinary excretion have been revealed. Bilirubinemia level following NPFP was significantly higher than the baseline level, while following PFP the level of total and bound bilirubin remained unchanged. No differences in the total hepatic flow have been observed during pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow perfusion.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Pulsatile umbilical venous flow and its clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and significance of pulsatile waveforms from the umbilical vein. SETTING: A tertiary referral clinic for high risk pregnancies. SUBJECTS: 209 fetuses from 24-41 weeks gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence of pulsatile waveforms in the umbilical vein and the pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: 9/209 fetuses demonstrated pulsatile waveforms and seven had severe growth retardation or congenital anomalies of the heart. Pulsatile flow and abnormalities of the inferior vena cava waveforms were observed in these seven but not in the two infants who were born at term. Double pulsations are described for the first time. CONCLUSION: Examination of the umbilical venous waveform for pulsatile flow is a useful test as it indicates the presence of asphyxial cardiomyopathy or congenital heart lesions.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Fast measurements of flow through mitral regurgitant orifices with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping.

Magnetic-resonance (MR) phase velocity mapping (PVM) shows promise in measuring the mitral regurgitant volume. However, in its conventional nonsegmented form, MR-PVM is slow and impractical for clinical use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of rapid, segmented k-space MR-PVM in quantifying the mitral regurgitant flow through a control volume (CV) method. Two segmented MR-PVM schemes, one with seven (seg-7) and one with nine (seg-9) lines per segment, were evaluated in acrylic regurgitant mitral valve models under steady and pulsatile flow. A nonsegmented (nonseg) MR-PVM acquisition was also performed for reference. The segmented acquisitions were considerably faster (<10 min) than the nonsegmented (>45 min). The regurgitant flow rates and volumes measured with segmented MR-PVM agreed closely with those measured with nonsegmented MR-PVM (differences <5%, p > 0.05), when the CV was large enough to exclude the region of flow acceleration and aliasing from its boundaries. The regurgitant orifice shape (circular vs. slit-like) and the presence of aortic outflow did not significantly affect the accuracy of the results under both steady and pulsatile flow (p > 0.05). This study shows that segmented k-space MR-PVM can accurately quantify the flow through regurgitant orifices using the CV method and demonstrates great clinical potential.

Animals↗

Flow structures at the proximal side-to-end anastomosis. Influence of geometry and flow division.

Flow structures were visualized in transparent polyurethane models of proximal side-to-end vascular anastomoses, using planar illumination of suspended tracer particles. Both the effects of geometry and flow division were determined under steady and pulsatile flow conditions, for anastomosis angles of 15, 30, and 45 degrees. The flow patterns were highly three-dimensional and were characterized by a series of vortices in the fully occluded distal artery and two helical vortices aligned with the axis of the graft. In steady flow, above a critical Reynolds number, the flow changed from a laminar regime to one displaying time-dependent behavior. In particular, significant fluctuating velocity components were observed in the distal artery and particles were shed periodically from the occluded artery into the graft. Pairs of asymmetric flow patterns were also observed in the graft, before the onset of the time-dependent flow regime. The critical Reynolds number ranged from 427 to 473 and appeared to be independent of anastomosis angle. The presence of a patent distal artery had a significant effect on the overall flow pattern and led to the formation of a large recirculation region at the toe of the anastomosis. The main structures observed in steady flow, such as vortices in the distal artery and helical flow in the graft, were also seen during the pulsatile cycle. However, the secondary flow components in the graft were more pronounced in pulsatile flow particularly during deceleration of the flow waveform. At higher mean Reynolds numbers, there was also a greater mixing between fluid in the occluded arterial section and that in the graft.

Arteries↗

Transluminal stent graft repair with Wallgraft endoprosthesis in a porcine arteriovenous graft pseudoaneurysm model.

PURPOSE: Pseudoaneurysm is a known complication of arteriovenous grafts in chronic hemodialysis and can result in graft disruption or thrombosis if left untreated. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of endovascular repair with Wallgraft endoprosthesis (Boston Scientific, Inc, Watertown, Mass) in a porcine arteriovenous graft (AVG) pseudoaneurysm model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral groin AVG pseudoaneurysms (n = 18) were created with an oversized Dacron interposition graft within a polytetrafluoroethylene femoral AVG in nine domestic swine and allowed to mature 28 +/- 4 days (standard deviation). Transluminal placement of Wallgraft was performed to exclude the pseudoaneurysm from the AVG circulation. Hemodialysis was performed (400 mL/min x 1 hour, with intravenous heparin 30 units/kg) every 4 days for a total of 6 weeks via 15-gauge needles in the treated AVG pseudoaneurysm site. Arteriography and duplex ultrasound scan were performed to determine AVG patency and pseudoaneurysm flow. Histologic evaluation was performed to determine Wallgraft morphology. In vitro pulsatile flow chamber was used to determine maximal flow volume without peri-Wallgraft endoleak. RESULTS: All AVG pseudoaneurysms were successfully excluded with the Wallgrafts. Twelve AVG (67%) remained patent at the completion of the study. No Wallgraft migration occurred from hemodialysis. Transient peri-Wallgraft endoleak (<2 hours after hemodialysis) was present in 13 of 18 (72%) and four of 12 (33%) AVG pseudoaneurysms by weeks 1 and 6, respectively. With maintenance of an intraluminal pressure of 80, 100, 120, 140, and 160 mm Hg in the pulsatile flow chamber, the maximal flow rates without peri-Wallgraft endoleak were 625 +/- 120, 650 +/- 145, 620 +/- 95, 425 +/- 110, and 262 +/- 86 mL/min. Scanning electron microscopy showed a neointimal layer covered with thrombus on the Wallgraft surface. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal placement of Wallgraft endoprosthesis provides adequate structural support for continuous hemodialysis after AVG pseudoaneurysm exclusion. Transient blood flow in the pseudoaneurysm cavity may occur immediately after the hemodialysis, which may represent the effect of heparin used during hemodialysis. This study suggests Wallgraft is a safe and effective treatment for AVG pseudoaneurysm and permits continuous hemodialysis.

Aneurysm, False↗