Medical adjuvant treatment to increase patency of arteriovenous fistulae and grafts

Nano-embedded medical devices and delivery systems in interventional radiology

Nanomaterials research has significantly accelerated the development of the field of vascular and interventional radiology. The incorporation of nanoparticles with unique and functional properties into medical devices and delivery systems has paved the way for the creation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for various clinical disorders. In this review, we discuss the advancements in the field of interventional radiology and the role of nanotechnology in maximizing the benefits and mitigating the disadvantages of interventional radiology theranostic procedures. Several nanomaterials have been studied to improve the efficacy of interventional radiology interventions, reduce the complications associated with medical devices, improve the accuracy and efficiency of drug delivery systems, and develop innovative imaging modalities. Here, we summarize the recent progress in the development of medical devices and delivery systems that link nanotechnology in vascular and interventional radiology. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Cardiovascular Disease.

Prevalence and clinical significance of anatomic variant in cephalic arch on preoperative mapping venography

The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of anatomic variant in cephalic arch on preoperative mapping venography and evaluate patency rates and predictors of patency in patients with brachiocephalic fistulas. The prevalence of anatomic variant in cephalic arch was retrospectively evaluated in 1004 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral preoperative mapping venography from July 2006 to December 2018 in a single center. The overall prevalence of anatomic variant in cephalic arch was 17.2% (173/1004). For patency analysis, 128 patients with brachiocephalic fistulas were divided into two groups: a standard anatomy (SA) group (n = 97) and a variant anatomy (VA) group (n = 31). There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. The primary patency rate did not differ significantly between the two groups. The secondary patency rate was significantly (p = 0.009) lower in the VA group than in the SA group. Older age (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p = 0.007) was a negative predictor of primary patency, and antiplatelet agent (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.33-0.84; p = 0.007) and large-diameter cephalic vein (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.31-0.86; p = 0.012) were positive predictors of primary patency. Older age (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p = 0.011) and anatomic variant in cephalic arch (HR 2.9; 95% CI 1.19-7.06; p = 0.019) were negative predictors of secondary patency. The current study provides insight into the clinical significance of anatomic variant in cephalic arch. Anatomic variant in cephalic arch should be considered as a potential risk factor for decreased patency of brachiocephalic fistula during preoperative planning.